History of Dane County

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GENEALOGY

COLLECTION

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HISTORY

OF

DANE COUNTY

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BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL

MADISON

Western Historical Association
1906

History of Dane County.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 12481

Elling B. Aaker is one of the prominent farmers of Dunkirk
township, where he owns a well improved landed estate of two
hundred acres. Like many others of the leading agriculturists of
Dane county, Mr. Aaker is a native of Norway, where he was
born May 12, 1837, and he is a son of Botton and Martha (Elling-
son) Aaker. who immigrated to America in 1857 and became
pioneers of Dane county, settling in Pleasant Springs township,
and later removing to Dunkirk township, where they passed the
remainder of their lives. They became the parents of seven chil-
dren, of whom only thrc attained to years of maturity: Julia, who
became the wife of Lewis Iverson, is now deceased; Elling B. is
the subject of this sketch, and Susan is the wife of Nels Jenson.
Elling B. Aaker preceded his parents in immigrating to America,
having come in 1856, and having been twenty years of age at the
time. He proceeded directly from New York city to Dane county,
Wisconsin, and purchased one hundred and twenty-five acres of
wild land, in Pleasant Springs township, reclaiming the major por-
tion of the same and there continuing to reside until the spring of
1885, when he sold the property and purchased his present fine
homestead, of two hundred acres, in Dunkirk township, being the
owner of twenty acres in Pleasant Springs township also. His
farm is equipped with good improvements in the matter of build-
ings and is maintained under effective cultivation. In politics Mr.
Aaker is affiliated with the Republican party, and he and his
family hold membership in Christ church. Norwegian Lutheran,
in the citv of Stoughton. June 13, 18G8, Mr. Aaker was united in

18 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

marriage to Miss Anne Quale, daughter of Andrew and Christy
( Nelson) Quale, who were natives of Norway and who settled in
Pleasant Springs township, this county, in 1858, here passing the
residue of their lives. To Mr. and Mrs. Aaker have been born ten
children : Andrew and Martha are twins, the latter being now the
wife of John Bakke, of Iowa; Ben :s deceased; the next two in
order of birth are Carl and Christian; Marie is deceased; Henry is
a resident of Stoughton ; Emma is the wife of Ferdinand Rasmus-
sen ; and the two youngest children are Lydia and Caroline.

Herman Aaroen is one of the worthy citizens contributed to
Dane county by Scandinavia, a source from which Wisconsin has
drawn much of its best citizenship and gained much of its material
and civic prosperity. He has for a number of years been num-
bered among the successful farmers of Blooming Grove township,
and has won success and independence through his own efforts,,
having come to the new world as a young man without financial
means and having worked his way upward through earnest and
honest endeavor. Mir. Aaroen was born in Sogendahl, Norway, in
August, 1857, and is a son of Johan Ingebret Aaroen and Mar-
garet (Olson) Aaroen, who passed their entire lives in Norway.
He received limited educational advantages in his youth, and con-
tinued resident of his native land until he had attained the age
of twenty-one years, when he immigrated to America, being com-
pelled to borrow, from a friend, sufficient money to pay his pas-
sage across the Atlantic. From that time forward he has never
received any assistance from extraneous sources, and he is deserv-
ing of credit for the determination and worthy effort which have
brought to him so marked prosperity within the intervening years.
He has been a resident of Blooming Grove township since 1894,
and of his original homestead farm he now retains twenty-five
acres, to which he devotes his attention as a general farmer. On
the place he has made good improvements, and he is also the
owner of a nice residence property in the neighboring village of
McFarland. where he expects to take up his abode eventually.
For some time he did contracting on a small scale, but his princi-
pal vocation lias been that of farming. Mr. Aaroen is held in
high esteem in his community and is an unassuming and worthy
citizen. He gives his support to the Republican party and he and
lii— family hold membership in the Norwegian Lutheran church.
December 33, 1886, Mr. Aaroen was married to Miss Anna Sko-
gen, daughter of Serum and Maggie (Kleven) Skogen, of Pleasant
Spr'ngs township, and following is a record of the names and re-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 19

spective dates of birth of the ten children of this union, only one
of the number being deceased. Samuel Johan, May 3,' 1887; Mar-
tin Olous, January 11, 1889, died January 13, 1898; Maria Jose-
phine, November 15, 1890; Gerhard Martin, October 10, 1892;
Albert Herman, August 22, 1894; Andrew Oliver, July 28, 1896;
Martin Olous (2d), December 31, 1898; Bordina Luella. February
6, 1901 ; Serina Rebecca, December 14, 1902, and Idella Helena,
October 29, 1904.

Hon. Henry Cullen Adams, congressman from the second dis-
trict, was a typical example of the kind of man to whom Americans
are fond of referring as a natural result of peculiarly American in-
stitutions. He was a native of Verona, Oneida county, N. Y., and
was born November 28, 1850. His parents, B. F. and Caroline M.
(Shepherd) Adams were also natives of the same place. He was-
one of the line from which President John Adams sprung. His
father, Benjamin Franklin Adams, was a graduate of Hamilton
College, New York. While in Hamilton College the elder Adams
was a charter member of the Psi Upsilon fraternity and, as principal
of an academy at Oneida, N. Y.. was instructor of the late P>. J.
Stevens of Madison. His mother was Eunice Webster a first
cousin of Noah Webster of dictionary fame and Mr. Webster was
a frequent caller at the Adams home. The family came west in
the early fifties settling at Beaver Dam, then coming to Liberty
Prairie, near Madison. The father died in 1902. the mother some
years before. They were carried to Wisconsin by the tide of im-
migration which swept westward about the time of his birth, and
he became a resident of Jefferson county at the age of six months.
In that county and in Dane he spent his boyhood years, supple-
menting his instruction at the district schools with the more prac-
tical knowledge of farm life in all its details, which knowledge be-
came in later years the instrument which led to his political pre-
ferment. His later achievements, if they formed a part of his
plan of life, were to have been reached by other means, and his
early efforts were all directed toward advancement through the
usual methods of scholarly attainments. His first academic work
was done at Albion Academy, Dane county, in 1868 ; the following
year he entered the University of Wisconsin, but after two years of
study he was compelled on account of failing health to give up his
work ; and a second attempt to complete his collegiate course, even
after a three years' rest, resulted in a second physical breakdown.
In spite of these discouragements he subsequently read law in the
offices of Nathaniel W. Dean and Gregory & Pinney. In

20 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

realizing the necessity of an active out-door life he purchased a
farm near the city of Madison, set it out to small fruits, and ap-
plying to its management the business methods for which his
studies had laid the foundation, he soon began to realize a good
return for his investments. He also stocked his farm with a herd of
thorough-bred Jerseys and added a dairy to his establishment.
He not only personally superintended his fruit and dairy business
but actually performed many of the laborious duties connected
with it. He varied the work of this period by occasionally teach-
ing; in the winter of 1877 he taught a country school in the town
of Burke in which his immediate predecessor was F. W. Hall and
the one before that was Senator R. M. La Follette. Mr. Adams
was always actively interested in political affairs and in 1880 en-
tered the arena as a stump speaker, a part which he filled in every
subsequent campaign up to the present time. In 1883 he was
elected to represent the southeast assembly district in the state
legislature, by a majority of over seven hundred votes and was re-
elected the next term, increasing his majority to over a thousand.
During the later term he served as chairman of the house commit-
tee on claims. For three years following this legislative ex-
perience he spent the winters in company with Mr. Morrison,
in conducting farmers' institutes throughout the state, and while
giving in this work the results of his own experience and observa-
tion, he incidentally formed a wide acquaintance throughout the
agricultural communities, and made many friends who rallied to
his support when he became, later, a candidate for congressional
honors. Three years as president of the state dairymen's associa-
tion, and two years as secretary of the state horticultural society,
supplemented this acquaintance and made his name a household
word among the farmers. About this time, (1887), he entered the
editorial field, for which he was somewhat prepared through act-
ing as correspondent for a number of agricultural periodicals, and
became, for a short time, manager and editor of the Western
Farmer, published in Madison. In 1888 he was a delegate-at-large
to the convention which nominated Benjamin Harrison for presi-
dent, and the same year was appointed superintendent of public
property by Governor Hoard, serving for two years. At the ex-
piration of this time he became associated with C. M. Dow & Co.,
and later with Mr. Vernon, and divided his attention between his
farming interests and a real estate business. Governor Upham ap-
pointed Mr. Adams as dairy and food commissioner, in 1894, and
the wisdom of his selection for this important position was en-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 21

dorsed by two of his successors in office, Governors Scofield and
La Follette. It was during his incumbency of this office that he
rendered such efficient service to the farmers of this state by his
efforts in the passage of the law which prohibited the manufacture
of filled cheese and colored olemargerine. At the time of Mr.
Adams' appointment, Wisconsin dairy products had fallen from
the high grade which had established for them an international
reputation to a very low place, on account, especially, of the pro-
duction of filled cheese, and it has taken years to restore to them
the confidence of the public, and for this restoration the dairymen
are largely indebted to Mr. Adams. Following the agitation in
Wisconsin most of the other dairying states have passed stringent
laws along the same line, and these were supplimented, after a
three years' struggle, by the enactment of a national law putting
an almost prohibative tax upon the production of oleomargine.
In this agitation Mr. Adams took a very active part, and his many
visits to the national capital in the interests of pure food enact-
ments, made him familiar with life in Washington, and gave him
the wider outlook upon affairs which that familiarity brings, and
when in" 1902, his name came before the voters of the second con-
gressional district as a national representative, he had fully demon-
strated his ability to fill it, and the confidence of his constituency
in him has been shown by two re-elections to the same office. Mr.
Adams came before the public eye during the most recent session
of congress more than at any time in his political career, through
his work for the meat inspection law now in effect. During the
latter part of the session, after President Roosevelt exposed the
packers, Senator Beveridge formulated an amendment to the agri-
cultural bill, providing for inspection of packing houses. This
amendment caused a bitter fight, especially the clause providing
that the packers pay the expense, and one providing for both day
and night inspections. When the fight was at its bitterest point,
Mr. Adams saw the president and they agreed upon the measure
which is now a law. His reputation for honesty and fair dealing
was such that in the very storm center of politics he was always
trusted and sometimes feared by both factions of his party.
His taste and judgment in literature was excellent and he was.
possessed of a dry humor, slightly tinged with good-humored1,
sarcasm, which made him an exceedingly entertaining companion
and his self-poise under the trying conditions in which an aspirant
for political honors is sometimes placed was remarkable. During a
recent campaign an uncompromising friend demanded of him. "Are

22 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

you a Stalwart or a Hal f-B reed ?" With a twinkle of his eye he
gravely responded, "I'm running for congress." Mr. Adams was
married October 15, 1878, to Miss Annie B. Norton, who was born
in Lowell, Mass., and reared in Madison. Their four children,
Benjamin Cullen, Frank Shepherd, Mabel and Carrie were all
born in Madison. Notwithstanding the fact that Mr. Adams had
not been in robust health for many years the announcement of his
death. July 9, 1906, came as a shock to his many friends. He died
at the Auditorium, Chicago, on his way home from Washington.
Speaker Cannon appointed as members of the hofise funeral com-
mittee the following congressmen: John J Esch, Wiscons'n; J. W.
Babcock, Wisconsin; W. E. Brown, Wisconsin; C. H. Weisse,
Wisconsin ; J. II. Jenkins, Wisconsin; James H. Davidson, Wiscon-
sin; H. A. Cooper, Wisconsin; E. S. Miner. Wisconsin; W. H. Staf-
ford. Wisconsin ; Theo Otjen, Wisconsin ; James S. Sherman, New
York; J. Adam Bede. Minnesota; James A. Tawney, Minnesota;
A. L. Brick, Indiana; Martin H. Madden, Chicago; John Lamb, Vir-
ginia; H. S. Boutell, Illinois; J. V. Graff, Illinois; William Wil-
son. Illinois; A. F. Dawson, Iowa; H. P. Goebel, Ohio; Thomas
Marshall, North Dakota; A. J. Barchfeld, Pennsylvania; Jesse
Overstreet. Indiana ; Harry C. Woodyard, West Virginia ; E. L.
Hamilton. Michigan. Mr. Adams' death called out many expres-
sions of appreciation from prominent men, not only in his own
state, but from those who had become acquainted with him in the
wider circles into which his position in congress brought him.
The limits of this brief memoir prevent their reproduction here,
but the spirit which animated them is well represented, especially
in regard to his later work, in two or three excerpts. Governor
Davidson said: "I have known Honorable Henry C. Adams for
many years. On my first acquaintance he impressed me as a man
of unusual talent and wide attainments. Mr. Adams was a most
genial gentleman and readily made friends. As a member of con-
gress he took a commanding position, and his battle for the agri-
cultural interests of the country will cause him to be long and
gratefully remembered. The death of Mr. Adams at this time is
a distinct loss to the state and to the country." Colonel Casson :
"As a public speaker Congressman Adams attracted more atten-
tion in the house than any other man in twenty years. On sev-
eral occasions, notably when he spoke on the Philippine tariff bill.
was this shown. On the conclusion of that speech the house took
an informal recess and the entire house crowded around to con-
gratulate him. Ik- was intensely popular and I considered him

BIOGRAPHICAL. 33

the best talker in the house. He was emphatically a growing man.
He had much yet to develop. He had made a very successful
member of congress. He had a way of doing things, of getting
there. He had a tact and talent which eminently fitted him for
successful work in a legislative body. It can truly be said of him
that he was an orator, that in debate he was always ready for the
occasion."

Michael Adler, of Waunakee, born in Germany July 13, 1853,
is the son of Germans, Nicholas and Alary (Michaels) Adler. The
father died in Germany in 1860, and some years after the widow
and her two sons, John Adler. now of Cross Plains, and Michael,
the subject of this sketch, came to America. Michael came to
Berry township, Dane, in 1868, and went to work on a farm; two
years later he went to Springfield and in 1882, joined his mother
and brother in Cross Plains, where they had located in 1873. At
the latter place he bought forty acres of land, to which he has
added from time to time, and is now, through his own diligence
and good jnanagement, the possessor of a farm of two hundred
acres. He is actively interested in the welfare of the Democratic
party, and has held many offices of political trust, having served
five years as justice of the peace, two years as trustee of the village
of Waunakee, five years as supervisor of Cross Plains township,
and three years on the county board, which last position he
holds at present. He married January 11, 1876, Miss Annie Mer-
gen, who was born in Dane, March 3, 1855. She is the daughter
of Jacob and Mary (Schauffhausen) Mergen, both born in Ger-
many ; he came to Dane in 1853 and she in 1854, and on April 24,
of that year they were married. Mr. Mergen's first wife, (who was
a Miss Biddinger) died in Xew York City in 1853. Of the six-
children of the first marriage, three are living, and of the nine
children of the second marriage, of whom Mrs. Adler is one, seven
are living. To the subject of this sketch and his wife, twelve chil-
dren have been born of whom five died in infancy; those living are,
Michael P., who lives on the old homestead; John J., of Vienna
township; Henry, of Madison; Math. F., Joseph, Mary and Anna.
Mr. Adler has retired from active life and resides in a beautiful
home in the village of Waunakee.

William Albers, farmer and teamster of the town of Madison,
was born in Hanover, Germany, May 28, 1841. his parents. William
and Catherine (Rinkhoft) Albers. both being natives of that
province. The father died before the subject of this sketch was
born and the mother afterward married William Mollenbard, a

34 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

carpenter by trade. In 1858 the family came to America and set-
tled in Dane county. There the stepfather bought a large farm
and followed farming and carpentering the rest of his life. Wil-
liam Albers is the only child of his parents, though his mother had
four children by her second marriage. As a boy he had but little
opportunity to acquire an education, being compelled by circum-
stances to work on the farm. At the age of eighteen years he left
home and went to work in a brick-yard at St. Louis. In 1861 he
returned to Dane county, bought a team and has been engaged in
teaming more or less ever since. Some time later he bought the
farm where he now lives, and upon which there is a sand and
gravel pit, from which he derives considerable revenue. Mr. Al-
bers is a fine example of that industry and thrift which is a dis-
tinguishing characteristic of the German people. Beginning life
with small capital and limited opportunities he has achieved suc-
cess through his own efforts. In political matters he is classed as
a Democrat, though in local elections he votes for the man rather
than for the candidate of any party. He is a member of the
Turner society of Madison, and of the old fire company No. 2. He
has been twice married, first in 1861 to Augusta, daughter of
Fritz Smith, a native of Saxony, and his second wife was Sophia
Smith, daughter of Philip Smith. She died July 2, 1902, aged
fifty-one. By this second marriage he has five children living and
one deceased, viz : Charles, Susie, George, William, Kate, all
living at home, and Margaret, the last named dying in early child-
hood.

Fritz Albrecht, Sr., a retired farmer, whose home is in Middle-
ton, was born in Mecklenburg-Schwerin and came to America with
his father, Carl Albrecht. when he was three years old. The latter
was bom at Bresegardt, Mecklenburg, was married at Middleton
to Mi^s Maria llinrechs of Bresegardt, and was a foreman on the
German roads. In 1855 he set sail with his family for America
and was seven weeks en voyage. They located at Middleton and
obtained a farm of forty acres in section 14, having nine acres un-
der cultivation, and a log dwelling. This farm Mr. Albrecht pro-
ceeded to clear dnring the hours when he was not active in his
duties as an employee of the C, M. & St. P. R. R. He was a
stanch Democrat and with his family supported the German
Lutheran church. Mr. Albrecht died in 1878 aged sixty-five, his
wife in 181 !. aged fifty-six. ( )f their seven children but two (John
and Fritz) are living, both at Middleton. Fritz Albrecht was born
November 3, 1852, and grew to manhood on his father's farm, re-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 25

ceiving" such education as the country schools of that time af-
forded. He worked the farm for many years and was also em-
ployed in threshing for seventeen years. At the present time he
is the owner of a splendid farm of two hundred and seventy-two
acres just south of Middleton and a pleasant home in Middleton,
which he has occupied since 1905. He is a Democrat and has al-
ways been much interested in politics, but more in school affairs,
in which he has been active as clerk of the school board of Middle-
ton for twelve years and clerk of the district school board for
nine years and treasurer for twelve years of high school. For
three years he was chairman of the town board also town treas-
urer 1883-4 and served on county board 1886-7 and 1892. October
5, 1873, he married Miss Mary Hinrichs, daughter of Jacob and
Marie (Rieland) Hinrichs of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Nine chil-
dren were born to them, of whom four sons are now living; Will-
iam, who is a carpenter of Madison, Wis. ; Fritz. Jr., who farms
the old home farm ; Emill, who is a painter by trade and lives at
home ; and Frank, the youngest, also at home. All of the sons
have the best education afforded by the Middleton schools, for
whose welfare their father has always labored.

Orin Alderman, a farmer in the town of Pleasant Springs, was
born in the neighborhood where he now lives, February 1-1, 1858,
and is of German and Norwegian descent. His father, Walter Al-
derman, was born in Baden, Germany, February 14, 1822, his par-
ents being John and Frances Alderman. The father died while
Walter was still a small boy, and in 1830 the widow and her son
came to America. After living two years in Buffalo, N. Y., they
went to Detroit, where they remained for six years, Walter find-
ing employment in a hotel. Then they removed to Milwaukeer
where he worked in a hotel until 1845, when they came to Dane
county. About this time Walter Alderman married Caroline Wit-
tleson, who was born in Norway but came to Wisconsin in 1840.
He obtained forty acres of land in the town of Dunkirk, upon
which he built a shanty and began farming. Later he bought
some land in the town of Pleasant Springs, and added to his first
purchase until he owned over two hundred acres. He was a Re-
publican in political matters and a member of the Lutheran church.
The children of Walter and Caroline Alderman are as follows :
John, who now runs a hotel and hardware store at Crookston.
Minn. ; Catherine, wife of Iver Johnson, of Avon. Wash. : Adeline,.
now deceased, was the wife of Iver Anderson, of Pleasant Springs :
Mary Ann, wife of Ole Lothe. of Pleasant Springs: Frances, living

26 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

at Crookston. Minn. ; Orin, the subject of this sketch; Julia and
Frederick, now both deceased; Turena, living- at Crookston; and
Elizabeth, wife of Rev. Martin Mickelson. Orin Alderman at-
tended the schools in Pleasant Springs in his early boyhood, but
the death of his father restricted his opportunities to acquire an ed-
ucation, as he had to begin work at an early age. In 1889 he
bought one hundred and twenty acres of the old home place, and
here he carries on a general farming business. He raises a con-
siderable quantity of tobacco, and also pays some attention to
stock raising and dairying. In politics and religion he has fol-
lowed the affiliations of his father, being a Republican and a mem-
ber of the Lutheran church at Stoughton. He has never married.

Edwin K. Allandslee, proprietor of the "Central Restaurant" in
Stoughton. was born in Telemarken, Norway, September 6, 1853.
He is a son of Knud and Rannae Allandslee. His widowed
mother, with her nine children, immigrated to the United States
in 1866, coming direct to Wisconsin, where she purchased eighty
acres of land in the town of Dunn, Dane county. Subsequently
she made her home in the town of Rutland with the subject of this
sketch and died there. Her children were Osman, George. Stener,
Edwin K.. John, Dagna, Gunhild, Asloug and Rannae. Edwin K.
was brought up in Dane county from the time he was thirteen
years of age. receiving such educational advantages as the schools
afforded. One year of his life was spent in Pleasant Springs and
twenty-five years on the old homestead in the town of Dunn. In
1862 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in the
town of Rutland, where he lived until 1900. In the latter year he
removed to Dunkirk, purchasing fifteen acres, of land just out-
side of the corporation limits of Stoughton. This he now uses as
a market garden to supply the restaurant which he has conducted
since August, 1905. His place of business has now become one
of the principal centers of a growing city. In 1881 Mr. Allandslee
was united in marriage to Gunhild Berge, a native of Norway, and
to this union have been born eight children, Rannae. Oliver, Julia,
Anna. Signa, Clarence. Alfred and -Arthur. The family are all
communicants of the Lutheran church. In his political connec-
tions Mr. Allandslee is a Republican.

Hans J. Allberg, foreman of the Amerika Publishing Company,
was born near Trondhejm, Xorway, August 12, 1866. His par-
entS were Anders Peterson and Hannah (Peterson) Allberg, both
natives of Norway, where the father was a mechanic. They never
came to America, the father dying in the old country at the age of

BIOGRAPHICAL. 27

•sixty-four years and the mother when she was fifty-three years of
age. Of their five children Hans J. was the youngest. The others
are Peter A., a mechanic, now living in Madison ; Paul, a farmer
living near Walcott, N. D. ; Martin, now and for several years
county surveyor of Ottertail county, Minn., living in Henning; and
Helmar B., living in Norway. Hans J. Allberg received his educa-
tion in the public schools of Norway, and after coming to this
country in 1884 attended the schools here. His trade of printer
lie learned in Minneapolis, Minn., where he worked three years.
In the fall of 1887 he came to Madison and was employed on dif-
ferent papers until 1896 when the "Amerika" a Norwegian paper
•of which Prof. R. B. Anderson is the editor-in-chief, was moved to
this city, since which time he has been with that paper. For some
six years he edited and managed a Norwegian paper in Stotfghton,
-called "The Normannen." which he later sold. The paper was
removed to Madison and consolidated with "Amerika." On
October 15, 1892, Mr. Allberg married Betsey, a daughter of
Erick E. and Martha Hovland of Pleasant Springs and to this
union three children have been born, Arthur Herman, Elmer Mar-
tin and Hazel Lenora. Mr. and Mrs. Allberg are members of the
Norwegian Lutheran church. For some years Mr. Allberg was
secretary of the church board. He is a member of the Modern
Woodmen of America.

Professor William Francis Allen, one of the distinguished
scholars and educators of the state and nation, was born in Xorth-
boro, Mass., September 5, 1830. His father was Joseph Allen, a
minister of the old church of that town. His preparatory school-
ing was obtained partly at home and partly at Leicester Academy
and Roxbury Latin school. In 1851 he was graduated from Har-
vard and spent the next three years as a private instructor in New
York city. The years 1854-56 were spent in European study and
travel, chiefly at Berlin, Goettingen and Rome. In Rome he de-
voted his attention for several months to a study of the topo-
graphy of the ancient city ; he also visited Naples and Greece be-
fore returning to the United States in 1856. These were the years
of his specialized effort wherein he laid the foundations for h's life
work in Latin, history and Roman antiquities. Prof. Allen next
taught for seven years in the English and classical school in West
Newton, Mass. He was married July 2, 1862, to Mary T. Lam-
bert of the latter town, who died in 1865, leaving one child. Kath-
arine. During the last two years of the Civil War he served in
the south as an agent of the treedmen's and sanitary commissions,

28 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

ministering to the cause of education among the blacks. While
in this employment he gathered materials for a collection of negro
songs, published in 1867, under the title of "Slave Songs." After
the close of the war he was for one year professor of ancient lan-
guages at Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio, and one year at
Eagleswood Military Academy, Perth Amboy, New Jersey,
While here he accepted a call to the chair of ancient languages and
history in the University of Wisconsin, with which institution he
was associated during the remainder of his life; in 1870 his chair
was changed to that of Latin and history, and in 1886 to that of
history alone. June 30. 1868, he married Margaret L. Andrews of
Newburyport, Mass.. and three children were born of this union,.
Andrews. William W. (deceased) and Philip. Professor Allen
died in Madison, Wis., December 8, 1889, after a brief illness, from
pneumonia. He gained an international reputation in the literary-
world for his labors and publications in the field of Roman history
and antiquities. He is also the author of numerous Latin text-
books of standard merit ; numerous review articles in The Nation,
North American Review, and other leading critical journals; has
published a large number of well known monographs of marked
excellence. Among his best known works are his "Annals of Taci-
tus." and "History of the Roman People" (Ginn. 1890). In the
midst of his busy life as educator and writer, he found time for
numerous outside activities, and was a director of the Madison
free library, aad a trustee of the Unitarian church. He was be-
loved by students, associates and all who knew him, and has left
the impress of his scholarly personality on many generations of
students. No one man has added more to the splendid reputation
of the great university with which he was so long and intimately
associated.

Francis M. Ames is a native-born son of Dane county, and dur-
ing all of his long and active career he has resided within her con-
fines. He was born in the town of Oregon, March 23, 1847, and
is the son of John N. and Mary Ann (Ball) Ames, pioneer settlers
of the county, who are deserving of more than a passing mention
in a volume devoted to the history of worthy citizens, past and
present. John X. Ames was born July 7, 1822, in Steuben, Oneida
count}'. X. Y., and is descended from noble Revolutionary ances-
try. Mis grandfather, Nathaniel Ames (born April 25, 1761, in
New Hampshire) was a farmer and a Protestant Methodist
preacher, who served under Washington and experienced the mis-
eries of that winter camp at Valley Forge. In 1800 he settled in

BIOGRAPHICAL. 29

the wilderness near the headwaters of the Mohawk river, and there
built him a home in which he resided for a number of years.
He was married to Miss Sarah Hall, a native of Albany county,
N. Y., who became the mother of eleven children, one of whom,
David H., was the grandfather of the subject of this review. Al-
though eighty-four years of age, in the summer of 1845, Nathaniel
Ames, the old Revolutionary veteran, with his wife and five of his
Children, (Frances, Jonathan, Naomi, Perymus and Ira), migrated
to the wilds of the then territory of Wisconsin and settled on sec-
tion 22 of what is now the town of Oregon, in Dane county.
There his wife died, in July, 1851, at the age of eighty-four, and
nine years later the old gentleman moved to the village of Oregon,
where he died in August, 1863, aged one hundred and two years,
doubtless the oldest white man wdio ever lived and died in Dane
county. He was a Mason and was buried under the auspices of
that order. David H. Ames, son of the venerable patriot, was
born near Albany, N. Y., served through the war of 1812, and died
but comparatively a few years ago, near Trenton Falls, N. Y.. aged
one hundred and one years, nine months and twenty-seven davs.
He married Miss Betsy Norton, who was a native of Herkimer
county, N. Y., and a granddaughter of General Norton of the Rev-
olutionary War. She also lived to be very old. John N. Ames,
father of our subject, and son of David H. and Betsy (Norton)
Ames, came with his grandfather to Wisconsin, in 1845, and was
the only one of the eleven children born to his parents who made
his home in this state. He lived on the original half-section en-
tered by his grandfather until 1870, and then purchased two hun-
dred and forty-four acres, lying on both sides of the track of the
Chicago and Northwestern railroad, two miles south of Oregon vil-
lage, and in the heart of the best farming land in that section of
Wisconsin. On this farm he built a large two-story farm house,
a substantial basement barn and other buildings, and although he
began his independent career with $100 which he had earned as
monthly wages, few men made greater or more constant progress.
Mr. Ames married, in his and her native town, Miss Mary A. Ball,
daughter of Eusevius and Keturah (Weld) Ball, her father being a
native of Massachusetts and of Revolutionary ancestry, as was
also her mother, who was born in Orange county. N. J. Mr.
Ames still lives at the old homestead, enjoying the fruits of his
early endeavors. Mrs. Ames died February 4, 1893. Five chil-
dren were born to them, all on the old Oregon farm: Francis M.,
John F., Sarah A., William L. and Florence A. Francis M. Ames

30 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

is the eldest of these children and is the one to whom this sketch
is especially dedicated. He received his primary education in the
district schools of Oregon, and supplemented the knowledge thus
gained by taking a course at the University of Wisconsin at Madi-
son. He resided at the home of his parents until 1876, when he-
was married and located on the farm where he still resides, in sec-
tion 32 of the town of Rutland, the place being known as the old
Axtell farm. It comprises two hundred and fifty acres, and since
taking possession of it Mr. Ames has made many needed improve-
ments, including a beautiful residence which he built in 1893. In
addition to this homestead he owns two hundred and eighty acres-
in Brooklyn, Green county, which tract is known as the Willis
Hazeltine place. Mr. Ames has always followed farming of a
general nature, raising oats, corn, hay and wheat, and in live stock,
and breeds hogs, horses and cattle quite extensively. In politics he
gives an unwavering allegiance to the principles of the Prohibition
party, but has never aspired to official position. In 1904 the Far-
mers' Mutual Banking & Trust Company of Brooklyn was organ-
ized, and Mr. Ames was elected as the first president of the organi-
zation, serving in that capacity for two years, and he is now secre-
tary of the same. Our subject was married on August 15, 1876,.
to Miss Alice C. Main, daughter of R. P. and Cordelia A. (Dakin)
Main, who are given extended mention on another page of this
volume, in the sketch of their son, Edwin D. Main. Mrs. Ames
was a school teacher in her early life, and is a lady of culture and
refinement. She is the mother of seven children, the names and
other facts concerning whom are here incorporated : F. Marion
attended school at Evansville, graduated in the commercial college
at Madison, and is now the book keeper at the chair factory at
Brooklyn. J. Quincey is at present attending Yale college, being
a member of the class of 1907. and is assistant secretary of the
college Y. M. C. A. He has also been a student at the University
of Wisconsin and he was in St. Louis two years and in Manila for
the same length of time, being in the civil service of the govern-
ment. He has also made a trip around the world, visiting-
Shanghai, London, Rome, Paris, and other notable places. He is
now preparing himself for the practice of law. Hallie, the third
child, is assistant cashier and book keeper in the bank of Evans-
ville. She is a graduate of the Evansville Seminary and the com-
mercial college al Madison and taught several years. Tressa at-
tended the Whitewater Normal school for two years, and has been
teaching for the past three years, being the teacher in the primary

BIOGRAPHICAL. 31

department of the high school at Brooklyn. Robert P. took a com-
mercial course in the Madison Business College, then went to Mon-
tana for a while and was book keeper for a time at'Canastota. S. I ).
He is now at home engaged in the management of his father's
farm. Paul Main and Sadie Minnie (twins) are graduates of the
high school at Evansville, of the class of 1906. In 1893 all of
these children attended the World's Fair at Chicago, and in 1904
they visited the St. Louis exposition.

A. O. Amondson is a retired farmer of Cambridge, of Norwegian
birth and ancestry. With his parents, Ole and Ingobar (Larson)
Amondson, he came to the United States when he was twelve
years old and located at Christiana, Dane county, Wis., after one
winter spent at Jefferson Prairie. Eleven children were born to
Ole Amondson and his wife, of whom A. O. is the oldest living
son. Rhoda, the oldest daughter, is married and lives in Iowa ;
Betsy is Mrs. O. D. Olson of Grand Forks, N. D. ; Martha is the
wife of I. Isaacson of Rock county, Wis.; Christie married Nicholi
Anderson of Rockdale. Ole Amondson was a blacksmith and a
skilled worker in metals but when he came to Wisconsin he en-
gaged in farming. The voyage was made in a sailing vessel and
the family was twelve weeks upon the ocean. They landed at
New York, in July, 1844, and came to Wisconsin by way of the
Great Lakes, the common route at that time. The farm upon
which they lived comprised one hundred and sixty acres and upon
it a dug-out was soon constructed to be followed later by a sub-
stantial home. Besides the work of the farm Mr. Amondson was
the blacksmith for the young community, made plows, tinkered
guns, etc. He died at the old homestead in January, 1861, and his
wife in May, 1881. Mr. Amondson was a member of the Luth-
eran church and in political sympathy a Democrat, though he was
never active in politics. A. O. Amondson, better known as Ed.,
was born in Voss, Norway, September 26, 1832, attended the home
schools and assisted his parents with the work of the farm. In
1850 he crossed the plains to California and after a difficult and
dangerous journey of four months arrived at Placeville, Cal., where
he worked in mines and in a store. Returning to Dane county
after several years in California he bought one hundred and twenty
acres of the old home farm and there he carried on a prosperous
general farming business for thirty years. In 1898 he retired and
since then has made his home in the village of Cambridge. A
'member of the Republican party Mr. Amondson has always been
an active worker for the advancement of the community and has

32 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

served as a supervisor and as a member of the town board of Chris-
tiania.

Ed. Amundson, a prominent farmer of Rutland, was born in Nor-
way and came to America with his brother and sister, in 1871. Of
a family of eight children but three left their native land, Ole,
who lives with his brother, Anna, whose home is in Pierce county,
Wis., and Ed. The other members of the family remained with
the parents, Amund and Martha (Olson) Larson, in Christiania.
Ed Amundson was born Feb. 15, 1845, at Christiania, attended the
common schools and worked on the farm until he was twenty-six
years old. when he sailed for America and located at Pleasant
Springs. Here he remained for a number of years and in 1896
purchased one hundred and forty-two acres of farm land in the
town of Rutland, which is his present home. Many improvements
have been made by him upon the farm, until it is now very com-
pletely equipped. Mr. Amundson is a Republican in his political
affiliations but has never taken an active part in politics. He is
a member of the Stoughton Lutheran church. October 9, 1873,
he married Miss Inga Erickson, daughter of Eric Erickson and
Lena (Olson) Erickson, natives of Norway. Mrs. Amundson has
a sister, Rebecca, and a brother, Edward, living in Dane county,
but the remainder of the family never came to America. Eight
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Amundson, all of whom
have attended the schools of Rutland and Stoughton. They live
in Rutland; Alfred and Oscar are farmers; Sophia is a dressmaker;
Hannah. Edwin, Josephine, Idella and Alf. Theodore remain at home.

Christian Anderson, a merchant of Deerfield, was born in the
town of Christiana, Dane county, March 26, 1853. His parents
were Andrew and Cary (Nelson) Anderson, both natives of Nor-
way. They came to Wisconsin about 1847. bought forty acres of
school land in the town of Christiana, but later traded that farm for
another in the same neighborhood and there lived the remainder of
their lives. The mother died in October. 1860, and the father in
the following January. W^hen the war broke out the two older
brothers rented out the farm and entered the army. At that time
Christian was only eight years old. He was taken by a neighbor,
with whom lie remained for a year. He then worked for different
persons until he was fifteen years of age. when he went to work in
a wagon factory at Cambridge. He was there but a short time when
his arm was seriously injured by a circular saw, disabling him for
a year. This accident still affects the use of his arm. He next
worked in hotels at different places for about five years, at the end

BIOGRAPHICAL. 33

of which time he went to Chicago and found employment in an
organ and furniture factory . Mr. Anderson has now an organ and
several ornamental pieces of furniture of his own construction,
having become an expert cabinet maker in spite of his injured arm.
While in Chicago he attended the evening schools, adding to the
elementary education he had obtained in the public schools in the
town of Christiana. On New Year's day, 1880, he married Anna
Hendrickson, who was born in Norway, Dec. 10, 1849. Her par-
ents, Hendrie and Sarah (Arandt) Hendrickson, were both natives
of Trondhjem, Norway, but came to the United States in 1865,
settling first in Michigan, but a year later they located at Oxford-
ville, Rock county, Wis., where they bought a farm and there
passed the remainder of their lives. They had three children, Mrs.
Anderson being the only one now living. In 1885 they removed to
Deerfield, where Mr. Anderson erected the building in which his
store is established, and where he has ever since been engaged in
the mercantile business. Mrs. Anderson is an accomplished mil-
liner, having had several years experience in some of the leading
milliner stores of Chicago, and she is engaged in that business in
connection with her husband's store. They have a large patronage
and conduct a store that would be a credit to a much larger town.
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have had two children, but both died in
infancy. In political matters Mr. Anderson is a Republican and
takes an interest in public matters, both general and local, and has
served two terms on the village board. He and his wife belong to
the Norwegian Lutheran church and take considerable interest in
church work.

Iver Anderson, a farmer in the town of Pleasant Springs, was
born at Bergen, Norway, February 22. 1836. He is a son of An-
drew and Christine (Ouam) Ellingson, both natives of the stift in
which Bergen is located. They were married in their native land
and in 1848 embarked in a sailing vessel for America. After a
voyage of seven weeks and two days they landed in the city of
New York, from which point they came directly fo Wisconsin and
settled in the town of Dunkirk, in Dane county. He bought one
hundred and eighty acres of unimproved land, opened it to culti-
vation and lived on that farm until his death. He was a Democrat
in his political views, and both he and his wife belonged to the
Lutheran church. Their children were as follows : Elling, now
living in Dodge county, Minn. ; Iver. the subject of this sketch ;
Andrew, deceased; Nels, a farmer in Dodge county, Minn.; Susan,
living in the town of Dunkirk; Annie, also living in Dunkirk;
3— iii

34 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Martha; Jacob, and Christ ne. deceased. Iver Anderson re-
ceived a primary education in Norway, but after coming to
America the requirements of the new country made it neces-
sary for him to assist his father in the clearing and cultivation of
the farm. He lived with parents until he was twenty-eight years
of age, when he bought one hundred acres of land where he now
lives. This farm, which he bought from his father, had a log cabin
on it and about thirty acres were cleared. He now owns two
hundred and sixty acres and has one of the best improved farms
in the neighborhood. He does a general farming business, raises
a good deal of tobacco, and devotes some attention to raising stock.
Politically he is independent, though he takes a worthy interest in
town affairs and has held the office of school clerk and treasurer
for thirty years. He is a deacon in the Christ church, Lutheran,
of Stoughton, and is somewhat active in church work. He* has.
been twice married. His first wife was Miss Adeline Alderman,
by whom he had three children, viz : Kate, now the wife of An-
drew Beck, of the town of Pleasant Springs ; Caroline, wife of
Samuel Brickson, a farmer of Pleasant Springs; and Mileda, now
deceased. The mother of these children died in 1874, and Mr.
Anderson married Inger Erickson, a native of Norway. By the
second wife he has the following chlidren. Arthur, Edward, Bes-
sie, Clarence. Mary, Ida, Christine and Andrew, all living but Ar-
thur. Mr. Anderson has been an industrious man all his life, and
whatever degree of success he has attained has been entirely due
to his own energy and good judgment. He is well known and
generally respected in the community where he lives.

John N. Anderson, a well-known carpenter of Stoughton, was
born at Endresogn, Norway, Feb. 12, 1858. He is a son of Nels
and Ela (Oldstatter) Anderson and until he was sixteen years of
age his training was obtained in the Norwegian schools. At that
age he immigrated to the LTnited States and located in Dane
county, and the city of Stoughton has since been his home. For
several years he "hired out" to the farmers of the vicinity but in
1880 started in to do carpentering work. Since that time he has
been continuously at it and is known today as one of the best men
in his line in the city. He has also done some contracting, but
has generally preferred to do the mechanical part of the work.
( >n February 27, 1888, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to
Carrie (or Kara), daughter of Halvor Burthe and Olive (Quale)
T >rgeson, natives of Norway who were pioneers of both Jefferson
and Dane counties. The issue of this union is two daughters.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 35

Ella A. and Geneva M. All of the family are members of the Nor-
wegian Lutheran synod and communicants of Christ church.
Stoughton. In his political relations Mr. Anderson is a stanch
Republican.

John W. Anderson, retired, of Mazomanie village, was born in
Union county, Ohio, Sept. 26, 1836. He was a son of William and
Mary (Argo) Anderson. William Anderson was born in Rich-
mond, Va.. and his wife first saw the light of day near Pittsburg,
Pa. The subject's paternal grandfather, John Anderson, was a
wealthy planter and slave owner of Virginia. William Anderson
remained in Virginia until he was about twenty-one years of age
and then removed with his wife to Union county, Ohio, about 1833.
In 1846 they moved again, this time to Platteville, Wis., where
they remained one year. Iowa county was their next place of lo-
cation and there Mrs. Anderson died. Shortly after Mr. Ander-
son went to Iowa to live with a daughter, at whose home he
passed away. Both he and his wife were members of the Advent-
ist church. Seven children were born to them. The father and
two sons enlisted in the Union army ; the father was in Company
K, Fiftieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and saw a year's serv-
ice. Benjamin, a son, was in Company H, Eighth Wisconsin Infan-
try, and was killed in the battle of the Wilderness. John W.
Anderson, the subject of this sketch, enlisted in Company G, Elev-
enth Wisconsin Infantry, in October, 1861. His regiment was in
the battle of Bayou Cache, in General Steele's division. Ill health
kept him in the hospital at Mound City, 111., for a time, and on his
release he was discharged from the army. Up to the time of his
enlistment, from the age of seventeen, he had worked out, and after
h"s discharge from the army he went to Cottage Grove, in this
county, where he farmed for four years. For the following thirty-
five years he farmed in the town of Arena, Iowa county ; the next
few years he spent in the village of Arena and in October, 1904, he
retired and located in the village of Mazomanie. Mr. Anderson is
a Republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
He has been twice married. His first wife was Annie, daughter
of John and Martha (Johnson) Gallagher, to whom he was married
in March, 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Gallagher were both natives of Ire-
land. Four of the ten children who blessed this first union are
still living. They are Addie, the wife of James Gorst of Arena r
Winnie, the wife of James Ray. a farmer near Arena: Ralph J., a
merchant at Arena, married to Addie Dodge ; and Nettie, the wife
of Torrence Hughes, a merchant of Astoria, Oregon. Mrs. An-

36 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

derson died October 1, 1899. On July 14, 1901, Mr. Anderson was
married to Mrs. Lizzie Good; widow of Thomas Good, a farmer of
the town of Cottage Grove, who was murdered August 27, 1899.
She was a daughter of Jesse and Ann (Wilcox) Augh, natives of
England, who came to this country in 1840 and settled in Long
Island, N. Y. From Long Island Mr. Augh moved to Sun Prairie,
this county, and later to Richland county, where he died. Mr.
Anderson is a member of A. R. McDonald post, No. 52, of Mazo-
manie. Grand Army of the Republic.

Ole O. Anderson (deceased) was a successful and well-known
farmer of Albion, son of Ole O. Quale and Susan (Gornan) Quale
of Norway. With his brothers, Nels and Andrew, Ole O. Ander-
son came to Wisconsin and settled at Albion. Nels obtained a
farm in section 4 and made it his home until his death in 1856.
Andrew sold his farm in section 5 and went to Winnebago county,
Iowa. Ole O. was born June 19, 1825, in Sogendahl, Norway,
learned tailoring in Norway and worked at that trade until he came
to the United States, after which he has always engaged in farm-
ing. His land was located in different parts of Albion and he
lived in section 4. His property consisted altogether of three hun-
dred and sixty acres. During the first years of his residence in
Dane county, Mr. Anderson was employed in various different
tasks but soon found it all he could do to manage his rapidly im-
proving property, which has become very valuable. He was a
member of the Republican party but took no active part in county
affairs. He was however very prominent in the work of the Nor-
wegian Lutheran church, for whose welfare he was always ready
to labor. In October, 1851, he married Miss Gurie Peterson, who
was born in Sogen, Norway, March 28, 1832, daughter of Peder
and Caroline (Beck). Another daughter, Caroline, married Tosten
Thronson of Sogn, Norway, and came to Albion in 1844. Four
children were born to them ; Thomas, who lives at Albion ; Andrew,
of Cambridge; Christopher (deceased) and Christiana, (deceased)
who married A. Larson of Clear Lake, Iowa. Twelve sons and
daughters blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson. Susan,
the oldest daughter, is the widow of Ole Barsness of Minnesota.
Caroline is Mrs. Martin Mason of Albion. Nicholas, who lives on
the old homestead, was for a time engaged in tobacco dealing in
Stoughton and also owned a store. He takes an active inter-
est in politics and was elected to the assembly in 1898 by the Re-
publican party. He has also served in local offices, as chairman,
supervisor, etc. For twelve years he has been a member of the

BIOGRAPHICAL. 37

board of directors of the Albion Fire Insurance Co. and its presi-
dent since 1898. He is a trustee and devoted member of the East
Koshkonong Congregational church. Andrew is a farmer of Al-
bion. Peter B. resides in Stoughton. Maria is Mrs. Allen Alme
of Pleasant Springs, Wis. Henry C. owns one hundred and sixty
acres of the old farm, where he carries on a prosperous general
farming business. His especial interest is live-stock, which he
raises for pleasure as well as profit. Durham cattle and French
coach horses are bred upon his farm. Martin O. is a farmer at the
old home. Joseph is a farmer and real estate dealer of Stoughton.
Dena Elizabeth is Mrs. Gulich Osgarn of Pleasant Springs. Ed-
ward J. is a photographer of Minneapolis. Olive J. married Otto
N. Nelson of Albion. Mr. Anderson lived on the farm he bought
when he first came to Wisconsin until Jan. 31, 1888, when he died
surrounded by his children.

Osvald C. Andersen, a leading merchant tailor of Madison,
whose place of business is at 27 North Pinckney street, was born in
Copenhagen, Denmark, on May 14, 1874. He is a son of Ole and
Johanna (Nelson) Andersen. The father is still a resident of Co-
penhagen, where he is foreman in a sugar factory. Although six-
ty-four years of age he is still in vigorous health. He has never
even visited the New World. The mother died in 1885 at the age
of forty-two. Both she and her husband were members of the
Lutheran church. Another son, Charles W.. and the only other
child, is a jeweler in Madison. The subject of this sketch was edu-
cated and learned his trade in Copenhagen. In 1892 he sought new
fields and came to the United States, locating in Buffalo. N. Y.,
where for a short time he worked as a coat maker. For a short
time Mr. Andersen was employed in Chicago, and in July, 1893,
arrived in Madison. He found employment with L. W. Gay and
worked for him until 1899 when he became a partner, the firm name
being Gay & Andersen. In 1902 Mr. Gay left the firm to enter the
real estate business and since that time Mr. Andersen has con-
ducted the business alone. That he is an excellent and thor-
ough workman both as a ladies' and gentlemen's tailor is proven
by the prosperity which has been his. On Dec. 5, 189G. Mr. Ander-
sen married Sofie. daughter of L. and M. Jensen of Aarhus, Den-
mark. This union has been blessed with four children. Victor S..
Olga F.. Waldemar C. and Osvald N. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ander-
son are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Ander-
son is a member and treasurer of the Madison society of the Danish
Brotherhood of America. Modest, retiring and courteous he is a

38 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

model c'tizen who has won for himself a large place in the com-
munity.

Hon. Rasmus B. Anderson is without doubt the most distin-
guished and widely known of American-Scandinavians. The basic
facts of his birth and birthplace are as follows: he is native-born,
but of Scandinavian parentage; his native village being Albion,
Dane county, and the date January 12, 1846. About his parentage
there is a flavor of romance, as, contrary to all the unwritten but
inexorable caste laws of European countries, there was consum-
mated, in 1830, a marriage between the son of a Norse Quaker peas-
ant, Bjorn Anderson, and Catherine Von Krogh, the daughter of
Lieutenant Von Krough, of a long line of aristocratic, military an-
cestors. Following the bitter disapproval of Mrs. Anderson's family,
Bjorn Anderson organized a movement for the planting of a Norse
colony in America, a movement which was consummated in 1836
by the arrival in this country of the first large company of Nor-
wegian emigrants. After a stay of two years in Rochester, N. Y.,
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson moved west, first to a Norse settlement in
LaSalle county, 111., and later to the town of Albion, Dane county,
then an unbroken forest wilderness. There some ten years later,
their son, Rasmus, was born, his father's death following four years
after, in 1850. The son received his first instruction in the district
schools, and in his early teens was already preparing, under the
tutorage of a Lutheran pastor, for his collegiate work ; this he be-
gan at a college founded by Norse Lutherans, at Decorah, Iowa,
known at that time as Luther College. Even at that time he
evinced an independence of spirit which brought him into collision
with the college authorities, and which has always since character-
ized his public utterances. Notwithstanding this, however, his
acquirements as a linguist were such that in 1866, when he was
only twenty years of age. he received the appointment as professor
of Greek and the modern languages at Albion Academy, in this
county. His work in that department soon attracted the atten-
tion of the officials of the University of Wisconsin, and after a few
months of post-graduate work, he was appointed instructor in lan-
guages in that institution. In 187.-), the chair of Scandinavian lan-
guages and literature was created for him, and this position he
filled until 1883, when he resigned to devote himself to other lines
of work. During his work in the university, Mr. Anderson had
made the acquaintance of his distinguished countryman, Ole Bull,
and in company with him visited Norway in 1872. This compan-
ionship was the means of his introduction to the most noted schol-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 39

ars and literary people of the Scandinavian countries, Bjorn Bjorn-
son being among the latter. Ole Bull heartily seconded Professor
Anderson's project of founding a Scandinavian department in the
university library, and gave him valuable assistance toward the
attainment 6f that purpose. This acquaintance abroad, his early
writings and translations, and his lectures on Norse mythology
and literature delivered between the years 1874 and 1877, in Bos-
ton, Baltimore and other places, prepared him for the position of
United States minister to Denmark which was tendered him in
1885. by President Cleveland. This position he held for four years,
and filled so well that upon the election of President Harrison, a
petition, signed by many prominent men of Denmark, Norway and
Sweden, was presented, asking for his retention in that office, his
strong personality and varied accomplishments rendering him an
acceptable addition to social and literary as well as to diplomatic
circles. Professor Anderson is at the present time occupying an
editorial chair in the sanctum of "Amerika," one of the largest Nor-
wegian papers in the United States and one which by reason of his
vigorous political writings exerts a wide influence among the num-
erous Norse people of the country and especially of the large com-
munities of the middle west. Ever since his early controversies
with the clergy of the Norse Lutheran church on the subject of
their attitude toward the public schools. Professor Anderson has
stood for, not alone a loyal interest in the mother country, but for
the adaptation of foreign elements to the use and advancement of
the home of their adoption, and has thus rendered a positive serv-
ice not only to his own countrymen, but to this country, as well,
in its difficult task of transmutating into a homogeneous whole the
conflicting elements of which this nation is composed. Of Profes-
sor Anderson's voluminous work as a writer, space will not permit
a detailed account. His first book, "Julegave." was written in Nor-
wegian in 1871. This is a collection of Norse folklore stories,
and was followed in 1874 by "Den Norske Maalsag." also in Nor-
wegian. His first book in English was "America not Discovered
by Columbus," which has passed through a number of editions and
was translated into Norwegian. His "Norse Mythology," pub-
lished in 1875. is the book which established his literary reputation.
It has been translated into four or five languages and is
generally accepted, even by the most critical authorities, as the
only adequate and authorative treatment of this subject in t lie-
English language. "The Viking Tales from the North." "The
Younger Edda," "History of the Literature of the Scandinavian

40 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

North, from the Earliest Period to the Present Time," "The Elder
Edda." are some of his principal translations. He also wrote an
introduction of fifty pages to Auber Eorestier's translation of "The.
Spellbound Fiddler," a "Guide into Teutondom," etc. Beside his
numerous books Professor Anderson has been a wide contributor
id the best current magazine literature, appearing in the Atlantic
Monthly, the Epitome of Literature, the Journal of Comparative
Literature, the American Antiquarian, the London Academy, etc.
He has published a number of pamphlets in both the English and
Xorse languages on various subjects, and has been a contributor
to five or six of the leading enclyclopedias, including the American
supplement to the Brittanica, Chamber's and Johnson's. A glance
over a complete bibliography of Professor Anderson's literary work,
— which includes many books, pamphlets and articles beside those
enumerated, but largely along the same line of the Scandinavian
language, literature and early religion, — show that his work is
largely of a critical rather than of a creative nature. What a man
of his linguistic ability, excellent diction and industry might have
accomplished in the line of more original work, if he had not been
so strongly attracted to the poetical and fascinating lore of the
northern myths, can be only surmised, but he could probably have
achieved success in almost any line of literature to which he ad-
dressed himself. In the work actually accomplished he has suc-
ceeded in opening, to a large class of readers, the gates to fresh
and fascinating fields of literature. Professor Anderson has been
selected as editor-in-chief of what will be, when completed, the
most sumptuous edition of works in Scandinavian subjects ever is-
sued. This is a fifteen volume library representative of Scandi-
navian mythology, romance, folk-lore and history, and known as
the Xorroena Library. The mechanical work on these volumes
represents the highest art in bookmaking. Professor Anderson
married, July 21, 1868, Miss Bertha K. Oleson, of Cambridge, Wis.,
a native of Christiania, Norway, who came to this country with
her parents, when she was a child. They have had five children :
Hannah I',.. born April 18, 1869; died April 18. 1870; Carletta C,
born December 4, 1870; George K., born November 7, 1872; Hjal-
mar O., born June 7. 1876; and Rolf Bull, born December 17, 1883.
The family resides at 316 North Carroll street, Madison.

Sern Edward Anderson has always lived in Albion and is the
son of one of its pioneers,. Amund Anderson. Amund was born in
Norway in March, 1806. and in 1840 settled in Dane county, Wis.
His wife. Ingeborg, was first married to Erick Johnson, with

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BIOGRAPHICAL. 41

whom she left Norway in 1836 and came to the United States,
landing in New York city after a stormy voyage of thirteen weeks.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson lived in La Salle. 111., where Mr. Johnson
died in 1838, leaving two children and his young wife. John, the
oldest son, served in the First Kansas Volunteers for five years
and went to Wyoming where he engaged in mining and ranching.
Betsey Johnson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Erick Johnson married
John J. Naset of Bloomer. Mrs. Johnson married Amund Ander-
son and came with him to Albion. Wis., where in 1840 he pur-
chased one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 2. Settlers
were few in the vicinity at that day but two other families came
from Illinois with the Anderson's and located near by. They were
devoted members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and belonged
to the East Koshkonong church from its organization. Six chil-
dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Anderson : Martha is the widow of
Thore Smithback of Christiania ; Andrew A., who farms part of the
old homestead, married Sarah Hendrickson and after her death,
married Agnes Johnson ; Sern E. lives at the old home. Marie
Ingeborg is the widow of N. E. Smithback of Christiania; Martin
is a prosperous farmer of Oakland, Wis. ; Sena is the wife of C. O.
Tellefson of Rockdale. Sern E. was born on the farm at Albion.
April 26. 1848, attended such schools as the district afforded at
that time and early interested himself in the work of his father's
farm. In March, 1874, he married M"ss Helen Matteson. who came
from Norway in 1868 with her parents and lived at Rockdale.
Two children blessed the marriage ; Adolph, who married Betsey
Johnson, is a farmer and resides at the old homestead; Nordahl is
also at home. Mrs. Anderson died in 1890. She and her husband
always attended the East Koshkonong church. Mr. Anderson has
never held political office but is a Republican in his political affilia-
tions. He is secretary of the Hillside Creamery Co.

William H. Angell is one of the sterling pioneers and most hon-
ored and influential citizens of the village of Sun Prairie, where he
has maintained his home for more than sixty years, having been
prominently identified with the developed of the village and sur-
rounding country. Colonel Angell was born in West Haven. Addi-
son county. Vermont, on June 20, 1813, and he has ever exempli-
fied the sturdy attributes so characteristic of the true New England
type, while he is a representative of families founded in that sec-
tion in the colonial era of our national history. He is a son of
Newell and Charity (Blackman) Angell. the former of whom was
born in Washington countv. New York, on December 20, 1879,

42 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

while the latter was bom in the same state, on April 17, 1789, while
her death occurred in West Haven, Vermont, on June 23, 1822.
Newell Angell was a millwright by trade, and he came to Sun
Prairie. Wisconsin, in 1*4(>, to take charge of the erection of a mill
for his s<ui. William H., the subject of this sketch, passing the re-
mainder of his life in the Badger state. He died in Vernon county,
on March 9, 1863, and his remains rest in the cemetery at Sun
Prairie. After the death of his first wife he married Mary Hollis
Ransome, whd was born in Connecticut, in 1801, and who died in
Vernon county. Wisconsin, on November 5, 1872. Newell Angell
was always a stanch advocate of the principles and policies of the
Democratic party, and was prominent in public affairs in Vermont
for many years, having been a man of much intellectual power and
mature judgment. He was a son of Augustus Angell, who served
in the Continental line in the War of the Revolution, having en-
listed when but fourteen years of age ; the latter's father likewise
rendered valiant service as a patriot soldier in the great struggle
for independence. Augustus Angell and also his son, Newell,
were soldiers in the war of 1812. Colonel William H. Angell, who
secured his title from able service as lieutenant colonel in the
Vermont militia, was reared on the homestead farm of his paternal
grandfather, in the old Green Mountain state, being identified with
the work and management of the same until he had attained the
age of eighteen years, while he was accorded the advantages of the
common schools of the locality and period. Thereafter he was
engaged in farm work and employed more or less at the carpen-
ter's trade until 1844, when he determined to immigrate to Wis-
consin and cast in his lot with the pioneers of that territory which
was not admitted to the Union until about four years later, in 1848.
lie made his way to Dane county, whose manifold attractions
proved adequate to cause him to make permanent location here.
He took up his residence in Sun Prairie,, being practically one of
the founders of the village, and he forthwith identified himself
with the interests of the locality and showed the progressive
spirit and indomitable enterprise which have made the men of New
England such valuable pioneers in opening up the various western
state-. \\v erected a grist and saw mill in the embryonic village,
'" 1847, and he has ever since been identified with the lumber
business here, bavin- formerly conducted extensive operations in
the manufacturing of lumber, while it may consistently be noted
in this connection that he furnished the oak lumber for the con-
struction of the vault in the office of the state treasurer in the old

BIOGRAPHICAL. 43

capitol in the city of Madison. In 1868, associated with two other
representative citizens. Colonel Angell formulated the charter un-
der which Sun Prairie was incorporated as a village, and he had
the distinction of being chosen first president of said village, while
since that time he has been called upon to serve in this capacity
for many years, having been elected at varying intervals and hav-
ing ever shown a lively and insistent interest in all that has con-
cerned the welfare and material progress of the town and its peo-
ple. Colonel Angell has an attractive residence in Sun Prairie,
where he also owns considerable other real estate, while in the
vicinity he has a finely improved farm of one hundred acres. He
has been most successful in his business career, and for a number
of years past has given considerable attention to the extending of
financial loans on real estate security. He is liberal, generous and
public-spirited, fair and honorable in all the relations of life and
expecting the same attitude on the part of others, and he has the
unqualified esteem of the entire community in which he has so
long lived and labored and which owes so much to his interposition.
He gave nine acres of land in the village to the fire department, the
same to constitute a public park, the dedication of the park occur-
ring on his birthday anniversary, June 20, 1903, and being a notable
public event in the locality. In politics Colonel Angell has always
been firm in his allegiance to the Democratic party, having cast
his first presidential vote for that stanch patriot and statesman.
General Andrew Jackson. He served as supervisor of Sun Prairie
township for the long period of twenty-one years, and was twice
chosen chairman of the county board of supervisors. For a num-
ber of years he was president of the Token Creek and Sun Prairie
Anti-Horsethief association. He was the originator of the Sun
Prairie Cemetery association, with which he was identified for fifty-
two years. He has been for many years a consistent and valued
member of the local Baptist church, which he has served in the
capacity of trustee, his wife also having been a devoted member
of the same church. On January 16. 1844, Colonel Angell was
united in marriage to Miss Electa L. Abernethy, who was born in
Addison county. Vermont, in 1818, and who remained his faithful
and cherished companion on the journey of life for more than half
a century, the gracious association being terminated with her
death, April 8, 1895. Of the six children of this union all died
young except two sons. William Edwin, who was reared and edu-
cated in Sun Prairie, was a soldier in a Wisconsin regiment in
the Civil War. and is now associated with his father in the lumber

44 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

business ; Darwin C, who was likewise reared in Sun Prairie,
passed fifteen years in the west, having been engaged in the coal
business in Kansas, but he is now associated with his father, under
the firm name of William H. Angell & Son.

Andrew E. Arneson is one of the most highly respected citizens
of the village of Mt. Horeb, and while he has not been a lifelong
resident of Dane county his residence has been so near the dividing
l'ne that his interests have been identical with those of her citizens.
He was born in Norway on February 25, 1840, and is the son of
Allen and Sarah Arneson, who came to America in 1850 and lo-
cated in the town of Blue Mounds. The father was a farmer in
the old country and after his migration to the United States he
followed the same occupation until his death, which event oc-
curred in 1852. and the mother still resides on the old home place
at the advanced age of ninety-six years. The subject of this re-
view is one of eleven children born to these parents, seven of whom
grew to manhood and womanhood. Mr. Arneson was permitted
to attend school only about two or three months, but by close ap-
plication of his talents and the exercise of his perceptive faculties
he has overcome this handicap to a considerable degree and is a
well-informed man. He commenced his independent career as a
farmer when but nineteen years old at Ridgeway, Iowa county,
Wis., where he purchased land and followed the occupation of a
tiller of the soil until 1897. On account of ill health in the latter
year he retired, and since that time has been a resident of Mt.
Horeb. He was married in 18G1 to Miss Mary Anderson of Perry,
Dane county, daughter of Halfer Anderson and wife, who settled
in Dane county in 1854 and are both now deceased. To the sub-
ject of this review and wife 1here have been born eleven children,
six of whom are living: Julia married C. M. Grimstad and resides
in Brigham township, Iowa county; Andeline married G. G. Mandt
and resides at Stoughton, Dane county; Emma married A. F.
Gramm and resides in Mt. Horeb; Henry remains on the home
farm ; Sarah married T. J. Dahle and is now deceased; Ida married
Peter Nace and resides near Mt. Horeb; and Clarence remains at
home with his parents. While living in Iowa county Mr. Arneson
served as town assessor one year, and as chairman of the town
board twelve years; and since his removal to Mt. Horeb he has
served as president of the village five years and as supervisor three
years. He is a member of the Lutheran church, is one of the
trustees .if the local church organization, and fraternally he is
one of the worthy and honored members of Ren. Dickison post,

BIOGRAPHICAL. 45

G. A. R. The latter distinction is of course accorded him by
reason of his service in the military service of the United States
during the Civil War. He enlisted on February 14, 1865, in Com-
pany A, Forty-ninth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, as
a private, and served with that command until November 8, 1865,
when he was mustered out with his regiment, by general orders
from the war department. The regiment left the state on March
8, 1865, and after reaching St. Louis was sent to Rolla, Mo., where
it was engaged in guard duty during the greater part of the term
of service. Mr. Arneson also had two brothers in the service,
Christ Arneson. enlisted on October 19, 1861, in Company C,
Fifteenth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and d ed on
February 10, following, of disease contracted in the service. Allen
Arneson entered the service on September 19, 1861, as a private in
Company G, Sixteenth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry
and served until June 5, 1865, when he was mustered out on ac-
count of the cessation of hostilities, having participated with Sher-
man in the March to the sea and the campaign of the Carolinas.

Christ Asbjornson, a prominent retired farmer of Stoughton,
was born near Flekkefjord, Norway, January 7, 1840, and is a son
of Asbjorn and Isabel (Thompson) Hanson, who immigrated to
America in 1852, making Dane county their destination. They
passed the first winter in Dunkirk township and in the following
spring the father purchased eighty acres of wild land in Pleasant
Springs township. He reclaimed a portion of the tract to cultiva-
tion and made good improvements on the property. He there con-
tinued to reside until 1885, when he returned to Dunkirk township,
where he passed the remainder of his life, having attained to the
venerable age of ninety-four years. He reared a family of four
sons, Hans C, Tom, Peter C, and Christ. Tom is now deceased.
The subject of this review received his early educational training
in the schools of his native land, having been twelve years of age
at the time of the family immigration to America. He was reared
to manhood on the old homestead farm, in Pleasant Springs town-
ship, where he remained until 1885, when he purchased two hun-
dred acres of land in Dunkirk township and removed to the same.
In 1893 he bought another farm of two hundred acres, one hun-
dred and sixty acres of the tract being in Dunkirk township and
the remaining forty in Albion township. He still owns both farms.
with the exception of eighty acres of the latter, which he sold. He
continued to reside on the place first mentioned until 1901, when
he retired and took up his residence in Stoughton, where he owns

46 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

an attractive home, on East Main street. He has been most suc-
cessful as a farmer, having- accumulated a handsome property and
being one of the substantial and popular citizens of the county in
which he has so long lived and so effectively labored. He has been
one of the extensive tobacco-growers of the county, and his farms
are largely devoted to this product at the present time. In politics
Mr. Asbjornson is a stanch adherent of the Republican party, and
he has been accorded distinctive marks of popular confidence and
esteem. He served as supervisor of Dunkirk township for three
years, was clerk of the school board two terms and in 1904 he was
elected alderman of Stoughton, from the second ward, serving one
term. Both he and his wife are members of the Norwegian
Lutheran church in Stoughton. In 1878, Mr. Asbjornson was
married to Miss Helen Severson, daughter of Sever Michaelson,
one of the well known pioneers of Dane county, whither he came
from Norway. The children of this union are three in number:
Emma is the wife of Abram Severson, Thea is the wife of Trace
Christehson, a prominent jeweler of Stoughton, and Andrew, the
eldest of the three, is one of the successful farmers of the county.

General David Atwood, journalist and politician, was born in
Bedford, N. H.. December 15, 1815, the scion of a vigorous and
long-lived family. The stock was good English Puritan, and the
pioneer of the family was John Atwood, who settled at Plymouth
in 1643. The boy David had a strain of Scotch-Irish in his blood.
Such scant education as he was able to secure was obtained in
winter attendance on the district school of Bedford ; summers, he
worked on the farm. Among his boyhood friends were Horace
Greeley and Zachariah Chandler, later United States senator from
Michigan. When only sixteen years of age he left home and was
apprenticed to Tredway & Atwood, printers and law-book publish-
ers, at Hamilton, N. Y. His brother. John, was the junior mem-
ber of the firm. During the five years of his apprenticeship he be-
came master of the printer's craft in all its departments. In the
years 1838 and 1839 he travelled about 10,000 miles with a horse
and wagon through New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia,
Ohio and several of the western states as a law-book agent. The
experiences of those years were a source of much pleasure to Gen-
eral Atwood in other life, and his word-pictures of those pioneer
days were always of remarkable interest. In 1839. when twenty-
four years old. he joined with his brother. John, in the publication
of the 1 familton Palladium, a weekly Whig newspaper. In the cam-
paign of L840 lie was a vigorous supporter of General Harrison,.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 47

and in that of 1844, of Henry Clay. His strenuous labors through
these years undermined his health and compelled him to with-
draw from the Palladium. He purchased a farm near Freeport,
111., where he met with nothing but misfortune, financially, and
lost his savings. However, the two years spent on the farm had
recruited his health, and he was enabled to return to his profes-
sion. It had long been his ambition to establish a daily paper at
some state capital, and the new territory of Wisconsin, then in
the full tide of western immigration, strongly appealed to him.
The village of Madison was then but a name to Colonel Atwood,
but he resolved to go there in the full assurance that it would
develop with the territory, soon to become a state. He reached
Madison, October 15, 1847, and at once became connected with the
Madison "Express" at a small salary. His duties were manifold
and arduous, and in his own words he was "editor, reporter, com-
positor, foreman, and all hands." He reported the last two ses-
sions of the territorial legislature, and was in constant attendance
as a reporter during the protracted session of the constitutional
convention which drafted the organic law under which Wisconsin
was admitted to the Union. In October, 1848, Colonel Atwood
purchased the "Express," which appeared in November as the
"Wisconsin Express" with many improvements. Only the in-i
domitable will, courage, judgment and industry of young Atwood
sustained the Wrhig "Express," as there were two opposition
Democratic papers published at the capital, both of which were
supported by ample capital as well as state patronage. In June,
1852, a consolidation was effected with a new Whig paper called
the "Statesman," which had appeared in the spring of 1850, but
the new enterprise failed, and out of the wreck. General Atwood
by his own efforts founded the "Wisconsin State Journal," daily
and weekly, whose first number appeared September 28, 1852.
The "State Journal" was the only Whig paper at the capital until
the organization of the Republican party in 1854, when it espoused
the principles of that party, and has ever since been its champion.
In 1853 he associated with himself Horace Rublee. afterwards min-
ister to Switzerland under President Grant, and long and favor-
ably known as the brilliant editor-in-chief of the "Milwaukee Sen-
tinel." Mr. Rublee was succeeded by Major J. O. Culver, whose
association with the "Journal" continued until January. 1877, after
which General Atwood was the sole proprietor until his death.
During his residence in New York. Mr. Atwood had been succes-
sively adjutant, major and colonel of Xew York militia, and in

48 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

L851, in Wisconsin, was appointed quartermaster-general of the
state; in I80S he became major-general of the fifth division of state
militia. In 1861 he was chosen to represent the capital district
in the state legislature, and rendered active and efficient service
in the work of raising and fitting troops for the front. Lincoln ap-
pointed him internal revenue assessor on the creation of that office
in 1862, but he was removed from office by President Johnson in
lsiiii for "offensive partisanship," the first Wisconsin officer thus
sentenced. He was mayor of Madison 1868-9, and in the latter
year received a flattering vote in the Republican convention for the
nomination of governor. Hon. B. F. Hopkins, who represented
the capital district in congress, died in January, 1870, and General
Atwood was elected as his successor in the 40th congress, tak-
ing his seat February 23. He was an industrious and eminently
useful representative, serving on the important Pacific railroad
committee, and being instrumental in the passage of some of the
important bills of the session. He declined re-election. From
1872 until the close of the Centennial in 1876, he served as com-
missioner from Wisconsin to the great international exposition,
and was for a time president of the full body which embraced
names of national reputation. In addition to the offices above
mentioned. General Atwood served in various other capacities. He
was a justice of the peace in 1849; a village trustee in 1854; for
thirteen years treasurer of the State Agricultural Society, and
twenty-four years a director; for sixteen years a member of and
president of the board of trustees of the State Hospital for the in-
sane ; for many years a member of the Madison school board, and
for a time its president ; long a trustee and member of the executive
committee, for five years the secretary, and for a long series of years
the president of the Madison Mutual Insurance Company ; for a long
time the president of the Madison Gas Light and Coke Company ; a
director in several railroad enterprises; after 1849, one of the
most active and useful members of the State Historical Society,
and for eight years prior to 1876, a member of the Republican
national committee. In 1849 he married at Potosi, Wis., Mary
Sweeney, formerly of Canton, Ohio. There were born to them
two sons and two daughters, the eldest of them Charles David, who
was vice-consul at Liverpool from 1872-76, and later an able as-
sociate editor of the Wisconsin State Journal; in 1874 he married
Elizabeth, daughter of Dr. A. J. Ward, one of the leading phy-
sicians of Madison; he died in 1878 at the beginning of a brilliant
career; his son David is the fourth generation of David Atwoods.

BIOGRAPHICAL. - ~M Q « ^A 49

Harry F. and Alary L. still reside in Madison at the old homestead
on Monona avenue ; Elizabeth G. resides in Milwaukee, having
married Edward P. Vilas, a distinguished lawyer, the brother of
ex-Senator Wm. F. Vilas. In person General Atwood was of me-
dium size, with dark blue, expressive eyes, and a large shapely
head, set off in after years by a flowing white beard and hair. His
features wrere fine and regular, and his face beamed with a kindly
expression. He had a remarkably clear, analytical mind, a very
retentive memory, was a charming conversationalist, and a politi-
cal journal'st of rare power. He was a politician of the best type,
and never permitted partisan rancor to interfere with his kindly
intercourse with men of every political creed. He was a repre-
sentative of the highest type of western pioneers, and under
his hospitable roof, for more than forty years, were entertained
a long line of politicians, journalists, statesmen, and scholars,
representing many sections and countries. In his latter years,
with his snow-white hair and long, flowing beard, he bore a strik-
ing resemblance to the portraits of the poet Bryant. His death
created a void hard to fill. His editorial associates felt the loss of
an inspiriting presence, the community at large that of a public
spirited citizen, and his family lost a beloved and devoted father
and husband. His death occurred December 11, 1889, after an ill-
ness of brief duration, and the end came calmly and peacefully.

Aslak B. Auby, of Norwegian origin,, is one of the successful
young farmers of Pleasant Springs. Bjorn and Margaret (Olson)
Auby, his parents, came to America from Telemarken, Norway,
where they spent their youth and early married life. In 1860, they
came over in a sailing vessel and landed at Quebec after a voyage
of ten weeks. Thence they proceeded to Milwaukee and after a
short stay decided to locate near Stoughton, where they rented a
farm in section 3-4. After working this land for six years they
were able to purchase eighty acres of farm land, which they im-
proved and made their permanent home. Mrs. Bjorn Auby died
in 1876 and her husband survived her until 1901. The family, con-
sisting of six children, of whom four are living, has always been
prominent in the Western Lutheran church, of which the parents
were members. The children were educated in the district schools.
Betsey, the oldest daughter, and Henry, the youngest son, died ;
Annie, the second daughter, is the wife of L. L. Brote, a farmer of
Pleasant Springs ; Ole operates a farm in Dunkirk and Lars is also
a farmer. Aslak B. was born at Pleasant Springs February 28,
1869, and worked on the home farm until he was twenty-one years
4 — :ii

50 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

of age. He then settled on the farm where he now lives and
worked it three years, lie farmed O. K. Roe's farm for three
years and finally purchased the first tract of eighty acres, com-
monly called the Jacobson place. Under his management the farm
has been greatly improved and increased in value. Mr. Auby is
a Republican in his political affiliations and was a member of the
town hoard for two years and school treasurer for three years.
September 24, 1890. he married Miss Mary Jacobson, daughter of
Jacob and Mary Jacobson, also natives of Norway, who came to
America in 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Auby have had four children;;
John. Ruby, and Ren living, and Mildred, who died in infancy.

John H. Auby, a farmer ,in the town of Deerfield, was born No-
vember 12. 1857, in the neighborhood where he now lives. His
grandparents. Lars and Catherine (Larson) Auby, were both born
in Norway, the former in 1778 and the latter in 1780. They were
among the pioneers of Illinois, but later came to Dane county and
there passed the rest of their lives. Hans Auby, the father of the
subject of this sketch, was born in Norway, July 4, 1824, and the
mother, whose maiden name was Helga Halverson, was born
there on August 12, 1826. They were married December 13, 1847,.
and to them were born the following children: Helen Catherine,
born August 20, 1848, married Halvor A. Nestestu and is now
living a widow at Deerfield; Louis, born December 9, 1850, married
Cornetia Tarson, and lives in South Dakota ; Carl Henry, born
March 11. 1853, married Catherine Fairweather, and lives at
Galena. 111. ; Benjamin O., born August 2, 1855, married Henrietta
Melang and resides in the village of Deerfield; John H., the subject
<>t this sketch; Lizzie B., born April 26, 1860, now the wife of
John Ollis. an attorney of Madison; Henrietta Christiana, born
Inly 18. 1862. married Andrew Husebo, and now lives at Sioux
Falls. S. D. ; Marion Christene, born April 4, 1866, and died Feb-
ruary in. 1892. The father of these children came to America
July 4, 1843, and made his way directly to Wisconsin. He worked
as a farm hand for a year near Milwaukee, and then went to
Illinois, where Ik- was employed in the lead mines for two years.
About three years later he came to Dane county with his parents,.
who boughl one hundred and sixty acres of land, on which the sub-
ject of this sketch now lives. Here Hans Auby died on December
9, L895, and his widow now lives with her daughter in Deerfield.
John II. Auby received a common school education in the town of
Deerfield and at the age of twenty-five years went to Clark county.
S. I )., where hi' entered three hundred and twenty acres of land

BIOGRAPHICAL. 51

under the homestead law, and farmed there for two years. He
then sold his land and returned to Dane county. For three years
he worked his father's farm on the shares, and after his death
bought out the other heirs and continues to reside on the old home-
stead. He is a Democrat in his political affiliations and has been
elected a member of the town board three times, now serving his
second term as chairman of the board. On March 20, 1889, he was
united in marriage to Miss Jennie, daughter of James and Mary
(Nellen) Copland,, of the town of Medina. Her father came to
Wisconsin at an early date and settled in the town of Medina,
where he died in May, 1905, the mother still lives on the old home-
stead. Mr. and Mrs. Auby have four children : Arthur H., born
June 21, 1891 ; Leonard James, born June 18, 1893 ; Gladys Evelyn,
born August 20, 1897; and Lawrence C, born December 20, 1901.
Stephen C. Baas has long been a well-known citizen of Madison.
For many years he owned a boat livery on Lake Monona and is an
authority among fisherman and lovers of water sports. From boy-
hood he learned to handle boats and to understand the vagaries of
inland seas, for his father and uncles were fishermen and exporters
of fish in Milwaukee. Henry Baas, father of Stephen, came to
Milwaukee from Pomerania, with his parents when he was a young
lad. With his brothers, Henry, Chris, and Will, he ran fishing
smacks near Milwaukee and cured fish for Milwaukee and Chicago
markets. Henry married Miss Sophia Siggelko, a native of Meck-
lenburg-Schwerin. In 1863 they came to Madsion and opened a
grocery store on Williamson street. Mr. Baas enhsted in the
Ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and was sent to Little Rock,.
Ark., where he suffered from illness produced by the climate. In
1865 he returned to the store which he managed until his death in
1869. His widow still resides in Madison, eighty-six years of age.
Of the six children, three are living. The oldest son, William,
died in 1896. He was born in Milwaukee in 1853, married M'ss
Carrie Showers and left one son, Arthur, who is a book-keeper
with the Marshall Field Co. in Chicago. For many years William
Baas was proprietor of the Madison Hotel. Stephen C. is the sec-
ond son ; Amelia, the oldest daughter lives with her mother in
Madison ; Lucy is also at home ; Minnie and Emma died in in-
fancy. Stephen C. was born in Milwaukee, Jan. 3, 1855, attended
both German and English schools and also the Northwestern Busi-
ness College at Madison. He engaged in the shoe business for
some years but his tastes led him to seek an out-of-door life and
until 1905, when he sold his business, his boat-landing was a Mecca

52 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

for fisherman. May 14, 1879, he married Miss Emily F. Mayer..
daughter of Casper .Mayer and Elizabeth (Steinle) Mayer. Mrs.
Mayer was a native of Baden and Mr. Mayer was also born in Ger-
many. They came to Madison in 1853 and Mr. Mayer re-
sided in the city until his death in 1884. Mr. Mayer's
oldest son. Caspar A., lives in Madison. Anna is the wife of Will-
iam Vallender. Theresa M. is Mrs. Peter Hoven of New Haven,
Conn. Emily F. is Mrs. Bass. Bertha M. is the wife of George
Breitenbach of Madison. Helen L. is Mrs. Harry Hunt of Madi-
son. Mrs. Baas has marked musical ability which has been inher-
ited by her one son, Alexius H., who is one of the most popular
singers of Madison. Alexius was born May 18, 1885, was gradu-
ated from the Madison high school, and from the University of
Wisconsin with the class of 1906. When he was a little lad he
began to sing in the choir of St. Raphael's church and has been a
member of that choir ever since. He also plays the pipe-organ
and piano but is best known as a singer. Madison people always
regard it a great treat to hear his wonderful voice and he is well-
known in many other cities. He expects to start for Berlin soon
where he will take an advanced course in music and will remain
abroad in these pursuits for perhaps a couple of years.

Ulysses S. Baer, first assistant dairy and food commissioner and
dairy expert of the state of Wisconsin, secretary of the state cheese
makers' association (the largest organization of its kind in the
world), vice president of the Wisconsin cheese and butter educa-
tional scor'ng contest association, and associate editor of the
Cheese and Dairy Journal and Creamery Reporter, was born at
Ithaca, Richland county, Wis., Aug. 21, 1873. His parents are
1). \Y. and Malinda (Daniels) Baer, the former a native of Ohio,
the latter of New York state. Both came to Wisconsin when
children, the Baer family settling in Sank county and the Daniels
fam'ly in Marquette county. For several years Mr. and Mrs.
I). \\ . I'.aer have made their home at Hartford, Washington county.
Wis., where D. YY. Baer is a hardware merchant, machinist and
contractor. U. S. Baer is the oldest of their five children, the
others being Melvin (deceased) ; Lillie, now Mrs. J. K. Powell of
(Jtica, X. Y. ; Daisy, proprietor of a dress-mak'hg establishment
in Milwaukee, and Edna, a student in the University of Wisconsin.
I'. S. I'.aer. the subject of this sketch, embarked in the dairy busi-
ness in Richland county in the year 1887, entering the dairy de-
partment of the University of Wisconsin in the winter of 1891.
In 1892 he received a graduating certificate from that institution

BIOGRAPHICAL. 53

and the same year was appointed to the position of assistant in-
structor in dairying at the Wisconsin dairy school, serving the
school in that capacity during the winter months only. During
the summer months of those years he was personally engaged in
the manufacture of both butter and cheese in Richland and Juneau
counties. In the spring of 1893 he had charge of the instructional
work in dairying, given in the "short courses" at the Minnesota
experiment station, St. Anthony Park, Minn. In the spring of 1895
he was called to the Pacific coast to take charge of work of the
same nature at the Washington state agricultural college and
school of science, located at Pullman, Wash. Early in the season
of 1895 he was employed by the Wisconsin state dairymen's asso-
ciation as its expert traveling cheese-instructor, which position he
held until October, 1899, when he resigned to accept the appoint-
ment as chef instructor in cheese-making at the Wisconsin experi-
ment station, which position he gave up to accept an appointment
by Gov. Robert M. La Follette, as first assistant dairy and food
commissioner and dairy expert in 1903. Mr. Baer's special fitness
for the position was long recognized, and since h's incumbency of
the office he has filled every requirement. Fraternally he belongs
to the Knights of Pythias and to the Woodmen of the World.
Mr. Baer is unmarried and makes his home at 450-452 West Gil-
man street, Madison, Wis. The dairy press of the entire country
unanimously said of Mr. Baer at the time of his appointment:
"By ability, technical training, wide and varied experience, Mr.
Baer is pre-eminently qualified to perform in a highly efficient a"nd
satisfactory manner the duties of the position. He is widely known
among the alumni of the dairy and agricultural college of the Uni-
versity of Wisconsin, among the membership of the Wisconsin
dairymen's, cheese makers' and butter makers' associations, and
by dairymen generally throughout the state and country at large,
among whom there was a strong sentiment favor'ng his last ap-
pointment to a public office of trust."

William R. Bagley, lawyer, was born at Charles City, Iowa, on
April 2, 1860. After completing his literary education he studied
law and was admitted to the bar in his native state, in 1883, re-
moving to Madison, Wis., in the same year, and he has practiced
his profession in the capital city ever since. His fam'ly consists
of himself, wife, and four children.

Nelson R. Bailey, retired farmer of Madison, Avas born in Essex
county, N. Y., August 2. 1835. His parents, Samuel and Almira
(B'sby) Bailey, were both born in the same county, there grew to

54 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

maturity, and after their marriage came to Wisconsin, settling in
what is known as the "Bailey neighborhood." near Sun Prairie, in
1846. Here Samuel Bailey bought three hundred and forty acres
of unimproved land, which he opened to cultivation and passed the
remainder of his life on the farm. He was one of the pioneers of
the Republican party and held a number of offices during his life-
time. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal
church. Four of their children are still living. John is a physi-
cian at Sioux City, la.; Nelson R. is the subject of this sketch;
Eugene R. is a retired farmer at Selma, Kan. ; and Martha is the
wife of Edgar Cobb, residing at Colby, Wis. Nelson R. Bailey
lived at home with his parents until his marriage to Miss
Amanda R., daughter of Richard F. and Jane (Young) Cameron,
in November, 1863. She was born in Chautauqua county, N. Y.,
her parents being nat'ves of the "Empire State." the father of
Morgan and the mother of Saratoga county. They came to Wis-
consin in 1846. Their children were Amanda R., now Mrs. Bailey;
J. W., a physician and dentist at Salina, Kan. ; Helen F., wife of
W. E. Bailey, and F. Y., who died in July, 1904. In August, 1864,
Mr. Bailey enlisted as a private in Company M, First Wisconsin
Heavy Artillery, and served until June, 1865, his regiment during
that time being stationed at Washington, D. C, on guard duty-
While in the service he filled the position of clerk to the captain of
his company. He was educated in the public schools and taught
two terms. Until April, 1902, he continued to live on the old home-
stead. He then sold all the farm except fifty acres, retired from
active pursuits and took up his residence in Madison. Politically
he is a Republican, and in religious matters is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church. He has held several local offices and
takes a deep interest in all questions relating to the public weal.
Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have had four children. Thurman C. died at
the age of nine months, and Randolph A. died at the age of five
years. Wallace is a dentist at Cadott, Wis. He married Antonia
Rosenberg and has one son, Thurman. Ada B. is the wife of Clar-
ence L. Kocher of Madison, and has one son, Russell B.

Edward T. Baillie is one or the representative exponents of the re-
tail mercantile interests of the city of Madison, being junior mem-
ber of the firm of Schmedeman & Baillie, merchant tailors and deal-
ers in clothing and men's furnishing goods. Mr. Baillie has the dis-
tinction of being a native of the famed old city of Edinburgh, Scot-
land, where he was born April 19. 1866, being a son of Peter and
Catherine (Tapp) Baillie, both of whom were likewise born in the

BIOGRAPHICAL. 55

land of hills and heather. In his native land Peter Baillie fol-
lowed the carpenter's trade for many years, becoming a successful
contractor, and there he continued to reside until his death, his
widow still maintaining her home in Scotland. The subject of this
sketch and one of his sisters are the only representatives of the fam-
ily in America, his two sisters and one brother being still resident
of Scotland. Mr. Baillie was reared to maturity in his native land,
receiving the advantages of the excellent schools of Edinburgh.
On his twenty-second birthday he severed the home ties and set
forth to establish a home in America. He landed in Philadelphia,
whence he came direct to Madison. Here he secured a position as
clerk in the grocery establishment of Alexander Findlay, at the cor-
ner of King and Doty streets, remaining thus engaged for a period
of four years, at the expiration of which he became night mailing
clerk in the postoffice, retaining this incumbency about two years,
then becoming bookkeeper in the dry-goods establishment of R. B.
Ogilvie, who was then one of the leading merchants of the capital
city. His next position was that of clerk in the clothing and mer-
chant-ta'loring establishment of the firm of Grinde & Schmedeman,
and he continued thus engaged until the dissolution of the firm,
when he entered into partnership with Mr. Schmedeman. February
18, 1904, since which time they have continued the enterprise under
the firm name of Schmedeman & Baillie, the senior member being
Albert G. Schmedeman. Their finely appointed establishment is
located at 25 East Main street and they control a representative pat-
ronage, catering to the discriminating trade of the city, the univer-
sity and the territory normally tributary to the cap tal city. Mr.
Baillie gives his support to the Republican party and both he and his
wife are communicants of the Catholic church. He is affiliated with
the Knights of Columbus, the Modern Woodmen and the Independ-
ent Order of Foresters, and he enjoys marked popularity in both
business and social circles. July 7, 1892, Mr. Baillie was united in
marriage to Miss Julia O. O'Dea, who was born and reared in Mad-
ison, being a son of Patrick and Ellen O'Dea, the former of whom
is deceased and the latter of whom still resides in Madison. Mr.
and Mrs. Baillie have three children. — Joseph, Helen and Edward.
Lewis Baker, of Waunakee, is a native of Prince Edward's Island,
born February 25, 1827. His father, Robert Baker, was born in
Bait' more, Md., in 1778 and his mother in Dover, Kent county. Eng.,
in 1785. Mr. Baker's paternal grandparents were Quakers, and on
account of religious persecution, left Baltimore during the Revolu-
tionary 'War. They found a refuge in Prince Edward's Island,

56 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

where they reared their family ; there his father married, spent most
of his life and d:.ed in 1864; his wife, Ann (Moice) Baker died in
1864. In 1812, Robert Baker went to Baltimore, and under an
injunction was detained three years. During this time he found
employment with his uncle in a shoe factory. He and his wife had
eight children, of whom four are living. Mr. Baker's maternal
grandparents were Episcopalians. The subject of this sketch re-
ceived his education in the common schools of Prince Edward's
Island. In 1852 he went to Maine and engaged in the lumber busi-
ness. 'Three years later he came to Madison and located at Pheas-
ant Branch, where he remained one year and then went to Wood
county, where he again engaged in the lumber business. In 1860
he came to what is now Waunakee and settled on eighty acres of
land. The village of Waunakee, named by Simeon Mills of Madi-
son, was in 1871 platted by Mr. Baker and Mr. George F'sh and that
part north of Main street was located on Mr. Baker's land. He
has increased his acreage to four hundred and has made all the im-
provements upon his farm. For the past ten years his son, Theodore
Wr, has been associated with him in farming and the breeding of
Aberdeen Angus cattle ; he has also for twenty-five years been a
breeder of road and carriage horses. While Mr. Baker in an active
Republican, he is not an aspirant to office, but has served on both
the school and village boards. He is liberal in his religious views.
He was married February 14, 1854. to Mrs. Sophia Taylor, born in
I'rince Edward's Island n 1825, of parents who were resident there.
Their children are Emeline, wife or R. B. Parker, of Cleveland,
Ohio; Lilly, wife of W. R. Rudd, of St Paul, (deceased, 1899);
I lattie,. died at age of five years; Theodore W., farmer and in part-
nership with his father; Lewis R., a veterinary surgeon and em-
ployed by the government; resides at Kansas city, Kansas. Mrs.
Baker, wife of the subject of this sketch, died June 13, 1900.

Loren Baker is a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of the town
of Medina and came to Dane county with his parents, Gaylord and
Adeline (Sperry) P>aker, when he was ten years of age. Gaylord
Baker was born in Watertown, Jefferson county, N. Y. in 1821. the
son of Stephen and Margaret (Lemon) Baker; and his wife was
born in ( >hio, < >ctober 18, 1825. Mr. Gaylord Baker was educated
in Jefferson county, X. Y. and came to Jefferson county, Wis., in
1845 and to Medina in 1864. He obtained a farm of one hundred
and three acres in Medina township and there his wife still lives.
Mr. Baker died in 1902. Six children were born to them, of whom
but four are living. Mr. and Mrs. Baker attended the Universalist

BIOGRAPHICAL. 57

church. Loren Baker was born in Watertown, Jefferson county.
"Wis., December 13, 1854, attended the common schools in Dane
county and the Marshall Academy and assisted his father in the
work of the farm, which is now his home. He has a fine farm of
one hundred and fifty acres with well-kept buildings and modern
improvements. He makes a specialty of fine coach-horses and Dur-
ham cattle and carries on a general farming business. Mr. Baker
is a Republican, as was his father, but is not active in politics al-
though interested in the welfare of the community. In 1888, he
married Miss Alice Wood, who was born in the town of York, Dane
county. Wis., the daughter of G. D. WTood and Lovina (Van Dass-
beck) WTood, who came to Dane county from New York state.
Mrs. Wood died in 1881 and Mr. W'ood now res'des in Portage.
Mr. and Mrs. Baker have four children ; Truman, Lewis, Melvina
and Hattie. The family received their education in the home
schools and attend the Baptist church. Mr. Baker is a member of
the local branc'i of the Modern Woodmen.

Lloyd M. Baldwin, of Belleville, is the son of Julius and Clara
(McLaughlin) Baldwin ; the former came to Wisconsin with his pa-
rents about fifty years ago ; they came from Canada, settled in Dane
county and engaged in farming. Mr. Julius Baldwin still owns
the old homestead in Oregon township where his father settled,
although he gave up the active management of it a few years since
and made his home in the village of Brooklyn. Mrs. Clara
(McLaughlin) Baldwin is a native of Ohio, daughter of W. W.
McLaughlin, who came from Ohio to Wisconsin nearly seventy
years ago, when his daughter was a baby. He settled in the town
of Brooklyn. Green county, and there spent his life. He was one
of the very earliest of the pioneers who faced the hardships inci-
1 dent to life in an unbroken forest wilderness, far from a base of
supplies, and with only the most rudimentary means of communi-
cation and transportation. The difficulties of the situation were
increased for him by the death of his wife which occurred before he
left Oho for what was then the new northwest. He was a man who
was actively interested in public affairs and was frequently called
upon to fill local offices. Mr. L. M. Baldwin is one of a family of
seven children, all living except one ; they are Charles, of Madison ;
Clinton, of Brooklyn ; Lloyd M.. the subject of this sketch ; Mimmie
married P. A. Haynes, of Brooklyn ; Myra, (deceased) ; Boyd, on
the old homestead in Oregon; Daisy, at home in Brooklyn. Mr.
L. M. Baldwin passed his boyhood on the farm and amid the usual
surroundings., advantages and disadvantages of rural life : when he

58 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

was twenty-one he began life for himself as a clerk in Gray's gen-
eral store of Brooklyn. After four years of commercial life he
engaged in farming for two years and then returned to his former
employment and position, where he remained three years longer;
he again took up farming as an occupation, this time go'ng west
and setting in Spink county, S. D. which was his home for eight
years, at the end of which he returned to Brooklyn and stayed one
year before engaging in his present business as a meat dealer and
butcher in Belleville. There he has a finely equipped market, and
since beginning his enterprise in 1902 has built up a flourishing
trade, not only in the village, but, by means of his wagon, he sup-
plies a large demand among the rural population. He was married,
first, to Miss May L. Gray, of Oregon, who was born in the town of
Brooklyn, Green county. She died in October, 1891. After her
death, Mr. Baldwin married Mrs. Rosa Upton, a native of Dane
county. They have one child, Harold Lloyd, aged two years.
Mr. Baldwin is a member of the M. W. A. and Loyal Americans.

George Baltes, of Dane, is a man whose varied interests have
made him a prominent factor in the life of his community from his
majority to the present time. He comes of German ancestry.
His parental grandfather, George Baltes. and his wife were both
natives of Germany ; the former, born in 1804, came to Roxbury
township, Dane county, in 1847. There he became the owner of a
large farm of two hundred acres, where he resided unt'l his death
in 1882, and where his wife continued to make her home up to the
time of her death. The maternal grandparents came to Springfield
township in 184G. where both died of the cholera in 1853. Peter
Baltes, father of George Baltes, the subject of this sketch, was born
in Germany in 1840, and came to this country with his parents in
1847. He was educated in the common school of Roxbury, and
followed the occupation of both the farmer and the blacksmith. He
died in 1896, and his wife, Theresa Dahnn, born in Pennsylvania
in 1845, (now Mrs. Taylor of Waunakee), and six of his nine child-
ren survive him. George Baltes was born May 17, 1867, in the town
<>f Springfield, Dane county, and was educated in the public school
at Springfield Corners. He began his independent life as a farmer,
and st'll, although his active interests are directed into other lines,
owns a farm of two hunded and twenty acres in Columbia county.
He followed at different times the occupation of cream-gatherer, —
a pursuit developed by the exigencies peculiar to a dairy country, —
and that of a saloon-keeper, and for twenty years operated a thresh-
ing-mach'ne. At the present time he divides his attention between

BIOGRAPHICAL. 59

the duties of a hotel-keeper and those of a manufacturer of lumber.
Mr. Baltes political affiliations are with the Democratic party, and
he has served the public in the capacity of treasurer of Spr'ngfield
township. He and his family are members of St. Martin's Catholic
church. His marriage occurred October 4, 1886, in Springfield,
Dane county, to Miss Ationie Raemisch, daughter of Frank
and Louise (Ruhl.) Raemisch both natives of Germany and among
the pioneers of Mazomanie township, Dane county. Mrs. Baltes
mother died in Sauk county, in 1905, but her father is still living
and resides in Baraboo. Mr. and Mrs. Baltes have two children,
Peter and Henry.

Hon. Charles Valdo Bardeen (deceased), a res' dent of Madison
from his appointment to the supreme bench, February, 1898, until
his death, March 20. 1903, was born in Brookfield, Madison county,
N. Y., September 23, 1850. Five years later his parents, Rasselas
and Maria (Palmer) Bardeen removed to Wisconsin, locating in
Dane county, where his boyhood was spent on a farm near the vil-
lage of Albion, and his early education was obtained at the district
schools. The vicinity of Albion Academy offered the opportunity
for the beginning of his higher education and he was graduated
from that institution in 1870. Following this he entered the Uni-
versity of Wisconsin but was obliged to discontinue his studies on
account of failing eyesight, and he went to Colorado where he re-
mained for two years, being associated while there with Alva
Adams, afterward governor of Colorado. Upon his return to Mad-
ison he entered the law department of the university from which
he was graduated in 1875 ; he was admitted to practice in the courts
of Wisconsin and the United States in June of the same year. His
first partner was Roger C. Spooner, youngest brother of Senator
John C. Spooner, and they opened their office at Wausau. Carl H.
Mueller afterward joined the firm and after the retirement of Mr.
Spooner, the partnership was continued until 1877 as Mueller &
Bardeen. Following this a partnership was formed with Gen.
John A. Kellogg, which lasted until the death of Gen. Kellogg in
1882. In 1883 Judge Bardeen became associated with W. H. Myl-
rea, afterward attorney general, and in 1885 Judge Louis Marchetti
was added -to the firm and this partnership was maintained until
April, 1891, when Mr. Bardeen was elected to the posit'on of judge
of the sixteenth judicial circuit; in 1897 he was reelected without
opposition, having the support of the entire bar of the circuit for
the office. In February, 1898, Governor Scofield appointed Judge
Bardeen to a vacancy in the supreme court, occasioned by the death

GU HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

of Hon. A. W. Newman, and in April following he was, without
opposition, elected to fill the remainder of the term. He was a mem-
ber of the society of Elks, and of the Masonic order, belonging in
the latter organization to the Forest lodge, No. 130; Wausau chap-
ter, R. A. M. No. 51 ; St. Omar commandery, K. T. No. 19, and was
elected in 1892 grand high priest, R. A. M., of Wisconsin. He was
married June 17, 1876, at Albion, Wis., to Miss Frances H. Mdler,
a classmate of Albion Academy. His wife and three children,
Eleanor (Mrs. Maurice Johnson), Charles V., Jr., and Florence,
survive him. The first-born, Bessie, died in infancy. Two broth-
ers. Alden R. and Henry L., reside in Wausau, one, Claire B., in
Milwaukee, and one brother, Frank, and a sister, Mrs. Arthur Yale,
in Colorado Springs, where she is a practicing physician. These
are the few fundimental facts in connection with the life of a man
whose untimely death, in his very prime and in the midst of a most
successful career, called forth from the bench, the bar and the press
of the state such expressions of sorrow and appreciation as are ac-
corded to few men n public life. From the superabundance of ma-
terial thus supplied it seems difficult to select the fitting expres-
sion in which the essence of a man's life and influence may be con-
densed, and yet from these many sources, — from public associates
and pr'vate friends, from official documents and political oppo-
nents, from fraternal and society records, from the relations of the
intimate family life, — the inferences drawn have a singular unanimi-
ty. They agree upon his native ability, — the inheritance of a sturdy
New England ancestry, — which built the successful achievements
of his later life upon the strong foundation of that personal endeavor
which lim'ted circumstances necessitated. By sheer force of char-
acter, he made his way to the front. They agree in their estimate
of him as a student; while disclaiming genius, as that term is too
frequently applied, he is credited with the genius which is the pow-
er of concentrated application. A "hard worker," a "close student,"
a "painstaking student," are terms constantly applied to him. As
an attorney the emphasis of his associates is placed upon his thor-
ough equipment, his accuracy, his clear-headed, fair-minded hon-
esty, his candor and his fearlessness, — some of which qualities any
successful attorney must possess, but which are seldom found in
such measure and completeness were exhibited in the character of
Judge Bardeen. In his official capacity both in the e'reuit and su-
preme court, his judicial temperament was fully recognized and h's
opinions were characterized by a clarity, logical sequence, and con-
scientiousness that well merited the opinion that a "few more years

BIOGRAPHICAL. 61

on the supreme bench would have raised him to an equality with
the greatest jurists that Wisconsin ever produced, as even at fifty-
two he was little below that mark". His work as a lawyer was not
marked by orator'cal flights and yet he was a most convincing
speaker, and as a judge his instructions to a jury were models of
legal diction, clearness and simplicity. And yet it is, perhaps as a
man, as a fr'end, as a citizen, that his life appeals most strongly for
an enduring recognition. The qualifies which distinguished him in
his professional 1 fe were even more in evidence in his association
with his personal friends ; and while of a somewhat retiring dispo-
sition, his genial temper, kindliness of heart and loyalty, united
to a distinguished presence and pleasing personality, gave him a
place peculiarly his own in the esteem of h's wide circle of intimate
friends, as well as in the still wider circle of acquaintances. Per-
haps out of all the tributes to his memory which the death of Judge
Bardeen called forth there is no more just or appreciative one than
that expressed by Rev. F. A. Gilmore, from which a few phrases
may be culled ; "His life was normal. There are no gaps in it. . .
All that he became was already foreshadowed in his youth. . .
He was an honest, laborious, k'nd-hearted man; simple, direct,
affable ; an able lawyer and an upright, conscientious judge. His life
is an open book wherein the youth may read how the highest posi-
tions are open to any man who adds to talent, — industry and hon-
esty. He ornamented a profession which offers few prizes to mere
genius unaccompanied by application. . . He united a broad
grasp of legal principles, gained by labor and research, with ac-
curacy and fidelity in investigation. . . With all his gifts and
strength of character he had a charming and direct simplicity of
manner and speech. He was enamored of truth, right and good-
ness ; he loved these deeply. Truth and right were for him the
attributes of God. He trusted in God with a large and beautiful
faith. . . I know of no severer test of a man's life than the
way he faces death. He stood this last supreme test so well and
bravely that in this he was perfect."

One of Judge Bardeen's strong characteristics was the great inter-
est he took in young attorneys just starting out on their careers —
the counsel he gave them, the aid and encouragement he extended
them — was a part of the man, and many are the now well-estab-
lished attorneys who look back upon his kindness to them.

Samuel J. Barry, (deceased), was a prominent farmer of Verona ;
he was born at Wa'ddington, St. Lawrence county, X. Y., March
16, 1834, a son of Samuel Barry, of Tipperary, Ireland. H's father

62 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

died when he was two years old and his mother ten years later.
There were five children in the family, three boys and two girls.
Mr. Barry was reared and educated in his native place, and in 1852,
at the age of eighteen, he came to Madison; he followed various,
occupations for a while and in 1856, began farming for himself.
He married Mary Jane Welch, by whom he had two children, Mrs..
Patrick Burns, of Fitchburg, and Mary, who married Thos. Lucas,,
of Madison. After the death orf his wife, he married, April 30, 1872,
Hannah, daughter of James Sullivan, — mentioned elsewhere, —
by whom he had three children, Lillie Bertha, died, aged seven ;.
Charles J. ; George F. Mr. Barry came to Verona in 1871, and en-
gaged in farming there until his death, February 12, 1905. His
wife and two sons survive him and operate the farm of two hundred
and forty acres for general farming and stock raising. In 1862 Mr.
Barry enlisted in Company B, Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry; after
serving three years he re-enlisted as a veteran volunteer ; he was
in the army of the west, escaped injury during his four years of ser-
vice, and returned after receiving his honorable discharge. He-
was a member of the G. A. R., an active Democrat, and a number
of times the holder of local and town offices. He and his family
are members of the Catholic church of Madison. George F., sec-
ond son of Samuel J. Barry, and grandson of James Sullivan, of
whom mention is made elsewhere, married Miss Frances Stack of
Verona, and resides on the old homestead with his mother and
brother.

John H. Barsness, retired, of the village of Black Earth, was born
at Barsness, Saagen, Norway, on April 4, 1836. His parents were
Herman Johnson and Christina (Peters) Barsness, natives of Nor-
way, where the father was born in 1807 and the mother in 1800.
The father was a brewer by trade. In 1856 he started for America
with his family. The trip was made in a sailing vessel and it was.
more than five weeks before he arrived in Quebec, Canada. From
'Quebec he traveled to Milwaukee, thence to Black Earth where he
purchased eighty acres of wild land. After some years spent in
improving and clearing the place the father pulled up stakes and"
went to Polk county, Minn. The mother died November 30, 1881,.
and the father followed on April 14, 1887. There were five chil-
dren in the family, of whom John H., the subject of this sketch,,
was the oldest; Peter, (died in 1866); Inger, Martha and'
Inga. The family were all members of the Lutheran church. John
H. Barsness attended the public schools of Norway and the district
schools of this county. In L858 he started out on life's journey..

BIOGRAPHICAL. 63

He hired out to the farmers of the vicinity for a few years and in
September, 1864, enlisted in Company G, Sixteenth Wisconsin Infan-
try. The regiment saw service with the Army of the West and
later was with Sherman on his march to the sea. Mr. Barsness
was taken sick and was invalided for some time. He received an
honorable discharge from the army at Washington, D. C. in 1865,
and returned to Wisconsin. Two miles south of Black Earth vil-
lage in the town of Vermont was a place of one hundred and ten
acres with a small clearing and a log house, which Mr. Barsness
purchased and upon which he settled. This farm furnished him
a means of livelihood until 18,98, when he retired and went to Black
Earth village to live. Politically he is a Republican. He has held
the office of school director and been honored with other minor
offices. He is a member of and an active worker in the Norwegian
Lutheran church of Black Earth. On June 15, 1866, Mr. Barsness
married Sarah, daughter of Ingabrecht and Sarah (Severson) Nel-
son of Norway, and on June 15, 1906, they celebrated their fortieth
wedding anniversary. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson lived and died in the
old country, where the father was a farmer. Four of the children
came to this country when Mrs. Barsness was twelve years old, fet-
tling in Black Earth. Twelve children have been born to Mr.
and Mrs. Barsness. — Christina, March 23, 1867; Nels, August 31,
1869, died February 11, 1884; Hannah Sophie, born September 27,
1871, died November 18, 1902 ; Peter, a practicing dentist at Middle-
ton, born December 8, 1873 ; Hermand, working the homestead
farm, born April 9, 1876 ; Edwin Samuel, June 20, 1878 ; Selina,
September 7. 1887; Joseph, September 27, 1882; Nelsina, August
21, 1884; Ida Amelia in 1887; Melvin, July 29, 1889; and Nels
Gerhard, July 27, 1892. Upon moving to Black Earth Mr. Barsness
built himself a fine residence, which is today one of the most beau-
tiful homes in the community.

Seth Bartlett, one of the well known citizens of the town of
Madison, was born at Strafford, Orange county, Vt., Jan, 1, 1823.
his parents being Jesse and Nancy (Strong) Bartlett, the former a
native of Vermont and the latter of New Hampshire. The Bartlett
family is one of the old and honored families of the "Green Mount-
ain State," the greatgrandfather of the subject of this sketch having
been the first governor of Vermont. Jesse Bartlett was a carpen-
ter by trade and was called the "great hewer," because of his pro-
ficiency with the broad-ax. He was a fine singer, was a man of
jolly disposition, and was noted for his great physical strength. In
the earlv days of Minnesota he went to Minneapolis and all trace

G4 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

of him was lost. His wife died on July 17, 1878. Their children
were Lucinda, < Irmal K.. Seth, Cynthia, Hannah and Jackson.
Seth, the subject of this sketch, is the only one of the family now
living. At the- age of fourteen years he ran away from home and
went to Boston, where he learned the trade of carpenter and cabi-
net-maker. In 1846 he came to Madison, and there worked at his
trade until the discovery of gold in California. He then drove his
own team and made the trip overland to the new gold fields, living
for a time at Hangtown, after which he went to Sacramento, wdiere
he helped to build a large hotel. After a few years in California
he returned to Madison by water, forty days being required for the
voyage. He then engaged in the livery and horse buying business,
and during the war bought more horses for the government than
any other man in the county. After the war he bought the place
in the town of Madison where he now lives, and where he owns
two hundred and seventy-six acres of fine land, upon which he has
made all the improvements. In addition to his farming interests,
and the raising of fine horses and cattle, he has speculated exten-
sively in real estate, in which he has been very successful. Mr.
Bartlett, while claiming affiliation with the Republican party, is
one of those men who always places the general welfare above mere
party considerations and votes for the best man, especially in local
affairs. He has never aspired to public office, though he takes a
commendable interest in all matters of public policy, and keeps h' in-
self well informed on political topics. Beginning life for himself
at an early age his opportunities to attend school were cut off,
and all the educat'on he has was acquired by self-study. He has
been a great traveler, has spent several winters in Florida, and few
men have a better general working education. Mr. Bartlett is
one of the charter members of Madison Lodge, No. 5, Free and
and Accepted Masons, and he is also a member of the Independent
( )rder of Odd Fellows. He married Miss Hannah Ogden, daughter
of Abram and Mary Ogden. of Michigan, and to this union was
born one daughter, Jessie, now the wife of Walter C. Xoe. of Madi-
son, and the mother of four children, viz: "Walter, Mary, Roberta
and Edgar. Mrs. P.artlett was a member of the Congregational
church and her husband was one of the liberal contributors toward
the erection of the church. Mr. Bartlett also as an adopted daugh-
ter. Miss Mary Linde. an accomplished young lady and a native of
Germany. For a man of his years Mr. Bartlett is well preserved,
due in a large degree to his cheerful disposition and his correct
habits of living. He is well known and universally respected for

BIOGRAPHICAL. 65

his good sense, his public spirit, and his broad charity for the
opinions of others.

Albert O. Barton, managing editor of the Wisconsin State Journal,
a daily evening paper published in Madison, was born on a farm
in the town of Primrose, Dane county, Dec. 11, 1869. He is a son
of Ole and Mary Ann (Twedten) Barton, both natives of Norway,
who came to this country at the ages of seven (1818) and three
(1852) respectively. The father was educated in the schools in the
town of Blue Mounds, where his father had located. In 1862 Ole
Barton enlisted in Company D, Twenty-Third Wisconsin Volunteer
Infantry. This regiment participated in the disastrous Red river
expedition under General Banks, in the reduction of the forts at
Mobile, the fight at Spanish Fort and the other engagements of the
brigade. While home on a furlough in 1863 he was married.
Mr. Barton was mustered out at Mob'le in 1865 and on his return
from the war began farming on one of the La Follette farms in the
town of Primrose. Since that time he has purchased several farms
of his own, and today conducts a two hundred and twenty-four
acre place in the same town. During the winter months he taught
school. He was one of the first farmers to arouse an interest in the
dairy business, and was very influential in the erection of the cheese
factory in Primrose, Feb. 6, 1878. He is an enthusiastic and loyal
member of the Grand Army of the Republic and attends all en-
campments of the order. Mrs. Barton died August 16, 1878, at the
age of thirty-eight years and her husband was married a second t'.me
in 1881 to Miss Ingeborg Oakland of Primrose. By his first wife
he is the father of five children, and by his second wife of eight. He
has held all the offices that it is within the power of the town elect-
ors to fill. Pie has been justice of the peace, town clerk, chairman
of the town and school district clerk. Probably no other man is
more widely or favorably known over the county than Mr. Barton.
Several years ago he purchased a farm in Taylor county, and has
overseen the operation of it in connection with the management of
the home place.

Albert O. Barton was educated in the district schools of the town
of Primrose and completed his preparatory educat'on in the Dodge-
ville high school. He then entered the University of Wisconsin
and was graduated from that institution with the degree of B. L. in
the class of 1806. Immediately after completing his scholastic la-
bors he entered the newspaper field, in the employ of the Madison
Democrat. He continued thus until 1903, in the meantime
rising to the managing editorship. In the spring of that year he
5 — iii

6Q HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

assumed the same position with the Wisconsin State Journal and
has remained with that publication ever since. During his colle-
giate course he was active in journalism, being one of the editors
of the Daily Cardinal, a student publication. He has frequently
contributed to and corresponded regularly for St. Paul, Minneapolis,
New York and Boston papers and different magazines. For
some years after graduation he was editor of the Alumni Magazine,
a periodical issued by the graduates of the state university. In
1895 he published a book entitled "The Story of Primrose from
1831 to 1895", being a history of the township. In 1899 Mr. Barton
spent the summer abroad, visiting the British Isles, Germany and
the Scandinavian countries. He has also traveled extensively
through the south and Canada, contributing letters on the same
to the magazines and periodicals interested. When the Ygdrasil
society of Madison, composed of the Scandinavian college men of
the town, was formed, he was one of the charter members. He has
done considerable research work along the line of Scandinavian his-
tory and literature, in which he is much interested. Politically
Mr. Barton is a Republican, belonging to the dominant wing of the
party. He has never aspired to public office and despite the fact
that he has labored hard and earnestly in behalf of the principles
he upholds he has never sought appointment to office as a reward
for his work. He has the distinction of having been the last secre-
tary of the Republican city committee before the operation of the
new primary election law. On June 2i. 1901, he was united in mar-
riage to Miss Ada Winterbotham, a native of Madison, and a
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Winterbotham of Madison.
Both Mr. and Mrs, Winterbotham are graduates of the University,
of Wisconsin. Mrs. Winterbotham finishing her course with the
class of 1865, the first class which contained "co-eds" to graduate
from the state institution. Mr. and Mrs. Barton have one son,
Harold Edward Sharp, and a daughter. Mr. Barton is a member
of the Sons of Veterans and an alumnus of the Athenaean literary
society of the University of Wisconsin. His friends pred'ct a bril-
liant future for him in the literary world.

Thomas Barton is one of the progressive farmers of the town of
Blue Mounds, and as his entire life has been spent in that vicinity
the esteem in which he is held by his neighbors is a flattering tribute
to his integrity and probity of character. He was born on the place
where he now resides on August 1, 1866, and is a son of Ole and
May (Thompson) Barton, both of whom were natives of Norway.
The father came to America in 1848. and in the same vear settled

BIOGRAPHICAL. 67

on the place where the son now resides and where the father spent
all of his life after coming to Wisconsin. He was one of the early-
settlers of Dane county and lived nearly a half century within her
confines, dying in August, 1895, at the advanced age of seventy-
nine years. Thomas Barton, whose name introduces this review,,
is one of a family of six children that were born to the pioneer pa-
rents above mentioned, and he was reared in the town of Blue
Mounds, receiving his education in the public schools, and his occu-
pation has always been that of a farmer. His well improved farm
comprises one hundred and ninety acres of extremely fertile land.
Mr. Barton was married on November 13, 1895 to Miss Emma
Kably, daughter of Philip Kably, a long-time resident of the
town of Blue Mounds but now residing in the village of Mt.
Horeb. Mr. and Mrs. Barton have become the parents of four child-
ren ; Adele, Oscar, Myrtle and Earl. Our subject has always been
a strenuous worker in the ranks of the Republican party and con-
sistently believes that continued application of the principles of that
political organization will solve any problems of government that
may present themselves. In addition to general farming, which
he carries on quite extensively, he also devotes considerable atten-
tion to the co-ordinate industries of stock-raising and dairying.
Of the brothers and sisters of the subject of this review, Anna mar-
ried Andrew Jacobson and resides in Richland county, Iowa ; Carrie
married John Hogred and resides in Mt. Horeb ; Bennett resides at
Blue Mounds ; Edward at Blue Mounds and Julia at Mt. Horeb.
where the mother of these children also resides. Bennett Barton, a.
brother of the subject of this review, was born in the town of Blue
Mounds on April 1, 1870, and was reared there, receiving his educa-
tion in the public schools. He supplemented the knowledge thus
gained by attending school' at different times in Dodgeville and
Black Earth, and the years of his early manhood were devoted to the
occupation of teaching. He commenced farming for himself in 1894
on the place where he now resides, comprising one hundred and
ninety-two acres, and there he has since met with flattering success-
in the business of general farming and dairying. He was married
Feb. 12, 1894, to Miss Julia Haakenes. daughter of Hanse Haakenes.
a prominent farmer of the town of Blue Mounds, and to this union
there have been born five children : Orvin, Eleanor. Harland, Benja-
min and Margaret. Mr. Barton is a Republican in his political
affiliations and his personal worth and ability have been recognized
by election to the office of justice of the peace, which position he

68 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

at present fills. H's religious faith is expressed by membership
in the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Robert McKee Bashford, a leading member of the Madison bar,
was born in La Fayette county, Wisconsin, December 31, 1845. His
father was Samuel Morris Bashford, a native of New York city who
was reared by a relative, Dr. Morris, and educated as a physician.
After his removal to Grant county, Wisconsin, in 1835, he discarded
the practice of medicine for the more congenial pursuit of agricul-
ture. His first wife died soon after his coming west and on June
27, 1843, he married Mrs. Mary Ann (McKee) Parkinson, the widow
of W. C. Parkinson, the daughter of Robert McKee. of Edwards-
ville. 111., and a native of Kentucky. Robert M. Bashford is a son
of this second marriage. Mr. Bashford is one of the best known
of Madison's c'tizens, having been before that community since he
entered the state university in 1863, as a student of general literature
and law, as the editor of a leading paper, as city attorney, as mayor,
as state senator, as well as in the capacity of a practic'ng attorney
in a private firm for much of the time. His university studies were
taken leisurely, as he was not graduated from the college of liberal
arts until 1870 and from the law school in 1871. This deliberate-
ness was partly the result of financial necessities, as he varied his
school life by teaching and had even before graduation served as
the principal of schools in Linden, Poynette and Darlington. He
had, however, -the advantage of entering upon his later work with
more maturity of character than the young man has usually attained
whose road to professional proficiency is strewn with metaphorical
flowers. While pursuing his law studies at the university, he
attained practical knowledge of his profession in the office of Smith
& Lamb, a leading law firm of Madison. After his graduation he
did not enter upon an active practice for some years, as he formed a
partnership with John B. and A. C. Parkinson and George Raymer
for the purchase of the Madison daily and weekly Democrat, wh'ch
occupation engaged his attention for five years. During his asso-
ciation with this paper it was enlarged, changed from an evening to
a morning paper and supplied with new presses and material. In
its editorial management, he pursued a liberal policy and carried out
his views with characterstic independence, and frequently directly
against the violent opposition of certain factions of his own party.
It was during his editorial connection with this paper that there was
formed the coalit'on of the liberal Republicans and the Democrats
which nominated Horace Greeley for the presidency, and also, in
the state politics, that union of the Grangers and the Democratic

BIOGRAPHICAL. 69

party which resulted in the election of William R. Taylor as gover-
nor. The subsequent legislation and the testing of its validity by
the courts, has had wide-reaching results, as it established the rights
of the state in the control of railway corporations. During this same
time Mr. Bashford compiled the legislative manual for the years
1875, 1876, 1877 and 1878, and was engaged in the publication of
the revised statutes of Wisconsin for 1878. This work resulted in a
familiar knowledge of legislative enactments and methods, and with
affairs of the state. In 1876. Mr. Bashford gave up his work in
connection with the paper and entered upon the practice of h's pro-
fession as a member of the firm of Gill, Bashford & Spilde, which
partnership he held until 1880. In 1881 he became a member of
the law firm of Tenney, Bashford and Tenney, of Madison, which
held his office there until 1885, when an office under that firm name
was opened in Chicago, and continued until 1885, when Mr.
Bashford returned to Madison and formed a partnership with Hon.
James L. O'Connor, later attorney general, which continued for a
number of years. Mr. Bashford is at present the senior member
of the firm of Bashford, Aylward & Spenseley. Mr. Bashford's
service in municipal affairs have been noteworthy. He was the city
attorney from 1881 to 1886 and in that capacity defeated the propo-
s'tion to give to a private corporation a franchise for the construc-
tion of the city waterworks. Moreover, he secured the legislation
by which the city was empowered to construct, own and operate
its own waterworks, and, the year following, that work was begun.
Throughout all the business of contracting and supervising the con-
struction of the waterworks and sewers, he rendered efficient service
to the city. In 1890 Mr. Bashford was elected mayor of the city
of Madison, coming into office at a time when the conditions ren-
dered that office a particularly trying one. The financial condition
of the city treasury would not admit of needful improvements, or
even defray the necessary expenses connected with municipal life,
and at the very opening of his administration, charges were pre-
ferred against two members of the council and the chief of the fire
department, for corrupt practices in conection with the city finances.
This investigation, resulting in the removal of all the parties ac-
cused, was an unpleasant beginning for the official head of city
affairs, but Mr. Bashford conducted the investigation with such
thoroughness coupled with fairness, as commended him to all law-
abiding citizens ; and he was supported in this action by the common
council, the press and the general public, as having performed a
difficult and unpleasant duty in a spirit of judicial equity. The

70 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

financial condition of the city treasury was met, during Mr. Bash-
ford's incumbency, by the sale of certain city property, and thus he
was enabled to inaugurate necessary work upon the streets. A
quarry and a steam road roller were purchased, and by the aid
of special assessments the work of a thorough street improvement
was begun, which has been continued up to the present time, and
which contributed so largely to the beauty and comfort of Madison
as a residence city. Mr. Bashford's services in the larger field of
state politics are considerable, and while he has labored for the suc-
cess of the party with which he is politically allied, he has always
reserved for himself the liberty of his private judgment, and has, on
many occasions, beginning with his early editorial work, been able
to influence the attitude and action of his political confreres. He
has frequently been selected to serve on central committees and to
act as delegate for the city, the county and the state, and in 1884
.was a delegate to the national Democratic convention at Chicago,
was also served as state senator from 1891 to 1895. Previous to the
last judicial election, Mr. Bashford received a very flattering endorse-
ment from the Madison bar, as a nominee for the position as judge
of the supreme court, but which after consideration, he declined to
accept, notwithstanding a very generally expressed opinion as to his
fitness for that position. Mr. Bashford's legal career has been one
which has developed a well-rounded character, and he is considered
as one of the able members of the^ Wisconsin bar. He has been
associated with many cases involving large interests, and perhaps
-obtained his greatest distinction as an attorney from his prosecu-
tion of the suits against the ex-treasurers of Wisconsin for the recov-
ery of interest upon the public funds ; he was engaged in these cases
as special council by Governor Peck, and was associated with Attor-
ney General O'Connor and Senator Vilas. Mr. Bashford was em-
ployed as special counsel for Secretary of State Houser in the suit
brought in the summer of 1904 by S. A. Cook and others to deter-
mine the regularity of the state ticket nominated by the Republican
convention of that year and with his associates succeeded in obtain-
ing in the supreme court, a decision in favor of the ticket headed by
Governor La Follette ; in 1906 he was employed as special couns-::
for the state in the suit brought in the supreme court to test the val-
idity of the inheritance tax and made the brief and argument on the
reargument ordered by the court, the final decision sustaining the
law upon the grounds for which he contended. Mr. Bashford has for
many years been a professor of the college of law of the Univer-
sity of Wisconsin, and his work has covered a broad field and has

BIOGRAPHICAL 71

been singularly acceptable to the hundreds of students who have
had the benefit of lis instruction. Mr. Bashford was married No-
vember 27, 1873, to Miss Florence E. Taylor, who was born at
Cottage Grove, Dane county, June 16, 1854 a graduate of the Uni-
versity of Wisconsin, and a daughter of ex-Governor Taylor. She
died August 16, 1886. leaving one daughter. Florence M., who was
born September 4, 1875. and who was married to C. F. Spensley
in 1891. February 7, 1889, Mr. Bashford married Miss Sarah A.
Fuller, daughter of M. E. Fuller, one of the leading business men
of Madison. Two of Mr. Bashford's brothers, John Wesley and
James Whitford, and a half-brother, Samuel Whitney Trousdale,
are also graduates of the University of Wisconsin. John W. Bash-
ford, who died at Hudson in March, 1905, was a lawyer of promi-
nence, who had served his city as attorney and mayor and also as
a member of the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin.
The other brothers are ministers in the Methodist Episcopal church.
At the last general conference. James W. Bashford, who had occu-
p'ed prominent positions in the church, was elected to the position
of bishop.

George Adam Batz, the president of the Farmers' & Merchants'
bank of Sun Prairie, is well-known in the community as a successful
farmer and has won international recognition by some of the pro-
ducts of his farm.. He is the son of Dane county pioneers, Peter
and Johanna (Terronf) Batz, who were natives of Germany. Peter
Batz was born in Bavaria. April 25, 1822, and came to Milwaukee
in 1848. In the same year he was married in Milwaukee and came
to the town of Bristol, where he obtained a farm of eighty acres.
For three years he worked out, at $10.00 per month, while his wife
managed the home property. Mr. Batz traded in lands, at one
time owning eight hundred and forty acres in Bristol. In 1891
he went, to Sun Prairie and organized the Farmers' and Merchants'
Bank. For ten years the bank was a private institution in which
Mr. Batz was assisted by his sons, George P. and Erhard, and in
1901 it was incorporated as the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of
Sun Prairie, with George A. Batz as president, his father, Peter
Batz, retiring from active business. George A. was one of a fam-
ily of ten children, five sons and five daughters, all of whom are
living. Two brothers. John and Valentine, I've in Minnesota,
where Valentine has a seat in the state senate. The family are
prominent in the Roman Catholic church, whose first log chapel
and whose present edifice in East Bristol, Peter Batz a'ded in erect-
ing. The experiences of Peter Batz in the early days of the com-

72 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

munity are typical of the hardy pioneer; he was forty-eight days
crossing the Atlantic and after reaching- Milwaukee, walked the rest
of the distance to Dane county. George Adam, son of Peter Batz,
was born in Bristol, January 22, 1865, attended the Bristol district
school and the Roman Catholic school of East Bristol. He has
always devoted most of his attention to farming and resides upon
farm of two hundred and sixty acres in Bristol, where he raises
Holstein cattle and carries on an extensive sheep-raising business.
Cheviot sheep are his specialty and Mr. Batz was the second man
in Wisconsin to breed this particular strain. Fine Clydesdale
horses are also raised by Mr. Batz. He is a careful student of farm-
ing methods and keeps well abreast of the times, employing modern,
up-to-date methods. The premium on Dutch clover was awarded
to Mr. Batz at the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago in
1893, both for quality and for the largest yield (ten bushels to the
acre), and at the World's Fair at St. Louis, he won the gold medal
for his exhibit of red kidney beans and also a premium for his oats.
Like his father, Mr. Batz is always active in promoting the inter-
ests of the town and has served as supervisor and secretary and di-
rector of the school board. He is identified with the Democratic
party. January 22, 1894, occurred the marriage of George A. Batz
and Miss Catherine Germinder, daughter of Alois Germinder. Four
children have blessed the marriage; Peter Clements, Cita Barbara,
Mary Regina and Prisca Barbara. The family attend the Sun
Pra'rie Catholic church. At the golden wedding celebration of Mr.
and Mrs. Peter Batz. forty-eight grandchildren were present. In
the bank at Sun Prairie owned by the Batz family, George A. is
president, George P., vice-president, Erhard, cashier and Misses
Johanna and Anna, assistant cash'ers.

Hubert J. Bauhs has been a resident of Dane county from the time
of his birth, is the owner of a well improved farm in Cross Plains
township. He was born in this township, September 14, 1863,
and is a son of Adam and Anna Mary (Jorden) Bauhs, both
ol whom were born and reared in Germany. Adam Bauhs came to
America about the year 1851, and his future wife accompanied her
parents on their immigration to the United States, about the same
time. Adam Bauhs located in Perry township. Dane county, soon
after his arrival in Wisconsin, and two years later removed to Cross
Plains township, where he purchased a tract of wild land, in sec-
tion 31, reclaming a good farm and continuing to reside on the
homestead for forty years. He passed the closing days of his life
in the home of the subject of this sketch, his death occurring

BIOGRAPHICAL. 73

November 25, 190-1. He was a Democrat in his political procliv-
ities, and both he and his wife, who passed away March 9, 1880,
were communicants of St. Mary's Catholic church, at Pine Bluff.
Of the thirteen children seven are living, namely: Mary who is the
wife of Lawrence Michaels, of Barron county, this state ; William,
who is a farmer of Middleton township; Hubert, who figures as the
immediate subject of this sketch; Joseph, who is a carpenter and
contractor of Appleton, Wisconsin; John, who is employed as
teamster at the University of Wisconsin ; Elizabeth who is the wife
of John Haack, of Madison ; and Frances, who is the wife of Henry
Miller, of Middleton, Wis.; Hubert Bauhs was afforded the advan-
tages of the public school in Pine Bluff, and he continued to be
associated in the work of the home farm until his marriage, when
he became concerned in the same line of enterprise on his own
responsibility. He purchased one hundred and twenty acres In sec-
tion 10, Cross Plains township, the tract being to a large extent in
its wild state, with no improvements of more than nomenal order.
He has reclaimed the land to cultivation, has erected good buildings,
and he has been very successful in his operations as a general farmer
and dairyman. In July, 1905, he engaged in the saloon business
in Cross Plains, but he also continues to give his personal super-
vision to his farm. Mr. Bauhs is a staunch supporter of the causes
of the Democratic party, and he served twelve years as townsh'p
treasurer, was a member of the town board four years, and has held
other minor offices. His preferment in this way indicates the high
esteem in which he is held in the community. He :s a communicant
of the Catholic church and is a liberal supporter and active worker
in the same. He was treasurer of the St. Francis church, Berry
township, for six years. November 25, 1885, Mr. Bauhs was united
in marriage to Miss Theresa Mary Birrenkott, daughter of Michael
Birrenkott, who was one of the honored pioneers of this county,
more specific mention of the family being made in the sketch of
Adolf Birrenkott, on another page of this work. Mr. and Mrs.
Bauhs have seven children, namely: Adam J., John M., William H.,
Michael A., El"zabeth Clara, Peter J., and Victor M.

Edward Baus, a cigar manufacturer of Madison, was born in
Prussia, Germany, February 13, 1846. His parents were Richard
and Sophia (Hess) Baus, who came to this country from Germany
in 1851. They lived first in Cleveland, Ohio, then in Watertown,
Wis., and on February 18, 1853, arrived in Madison. The trip
from Watertown was made with ox-teams and horses. The snow
was deep and in some places the roads were almost impassable,

74 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

but the hardy pioneers persisted and finally reached Madison after
untold hardships. The father continued his business as cigar
maker after his arrival continuing in it actively until his death on
May 8, 1880. His wife passed away some eight years later, at the
age of sixty-seven. The two children were Edward and Johanna,
widow of Capt. August Bartsch of Oakland, Cal., who has one son,
Edward E. Bartsch. Edward Baus received his education in the
common schools of Madison, and upon the completion of his school
work learned his trade from Bernhardt Nienaber, a pioneer cigar-
maker of the city, and in 1863 started a business for himself. Later
his father assumed active control of the business, continuing it
until his death, when Edward again took charge. The trade has
grown rapidly and Mr. Baus and his partner, Mr. Walters, now
employ seven or eight operatives the year round. On April 21,
1877, Mr. Baus married Anna, daughter of Andrew and Sophia
Hippenmeyer, the latter of whom is now deceased. Mrs. Baus is
the fifth of the six Hippenmeyer children. The others are Andrew,
Jr., a machinist employed by the Fuller & Johnson company;
Charles, a barber at Stoughton ; Alexander, a moulder of Madison;
Clara, widow of John Ambrecht, of Madison ; and Alma, wife of
Henry W. Lamp, a machinist. Mr. and Mrs. Baus have two chil-
dren,— Richard Edward, a graduate from the University of Wis-
consin in the mechanical engineering course, now in the employ of
the Western Electric company in Chicago ; and Irma J., a stenog-
rapher employed by the American Thresherman company. Mrs.
Baus and her daughter are members of the Congregational church.
Mr. Baus is a member of the Turnverein. He is an excellent
marksman, and has in his possession two gold medals won in
tournaments, one in the state of Wisconsin and the other at Phila-
delphia during the centennial celebration of 1876.

Daniel Bechtel, one of the extensive farmers and progressive citi-
zens of Blooming Grove township, is a native of the old Keystone
state of the Union, having been born in Larry's Creek, Lycoming
county, Pennsylvania, August 31, 1845, and being a son of John
and Catherine (Eyer) Bechtel, the former of whom was born near
Reading. Burks county, that state, while the latter was born in Dry
Valley, Union county, Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather,
Peter Bechtel. was likewise born in Burks county, of stanch Ger-
man ancestry, the fam'lv having been one of the first to settle in
Pennsylvania. John Bechtel was reared to the sturdy discipline of
the farm, but when a young man he turned his attention to freight-
ing on the canal, later engaging in the lumber business; for some

BIOGRAPHICAL. ! 75

time he operated two saw mills and a grist mill in Pennsylvania.
In 1850 he traded his grist mill for a tract of land in Pleasant
.Springs township, Dane county. Wisconsin, and in the autumn of
the same year he came with his family to this county, making the
journey via the canal and great lakes to Milwaukee, whence they
completed their journey to Madison with team and wagon, this be-
ing before the advent of railroads in this section. On his arrival
JVlr. Bechtel found that he had been egregiously swindled, in that
the land which he had secured in exchange for his mill was a marsh,
and, under the conditions which then existed, entirely unavailable
for development into farming land. He therefore purchased forty
acres of land, and in a log house which had been previously erected
on the place he and his family spent the first winter. In the fol-
lowing spring he purchased the farm — now owned and operated by
his son Daniel, subject of this review, — and moved on the place in
1853. Here he made the best of improvements, including the erec-
tion of a substantial and commodious brick residence, becoming
one of the prominent and influential citizens of the township and
continuing to reside on the homestead until his death, which oc-
curred on February 5, 1876. His wife long survived him, continu-
ing to remain on the home farm until she too was summoned into
the life eternal, her death occurring in 1900, at the venerable age of
eighty-one years. Daniel Bechtel was a child of five years at the
time of his parents' removal to Dane county, and he has resided on
the old homestead farm for more than half a century, while he has
identified himself with the best interests of the community and is
a successful farmer and popular citizen. After attending the dis-
trict schools he supplemented the discipline by a course of study in
a business college in Madison, — the institution now known as the
Northwestern Business College. He remained with his parents,
with utmost filial devotion, until both were called to the world be-
yond, and since the death of his father he has had the supervision
of the farm, of which he is now the owner, having greatly improved
the place, making it one of the best in the township, while he has
added to the area of the original homestead until he is now the
owner of two hundred and eighty-five acres. Mr. Bechtel is one
of the prominent representatives of the Democratic party in the
county, and has been called upon to serve in various offices of
public trust and responsibility. He served three terms as township
clerk, and for a period of twenty years he represented his township
on the board of supervisors of the county. In November, 1882, he
was elected sheriff of the county, serving one term, of two years,

76 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

while in 1896 he was elected a member of the assembly of the state
legislature, retaining the office one term. For six years Mr. Bech-
tel was president of the Cottage Grove Fire Insurance Company,
of which he has been secretary since 1900. He is a member of the
lodge of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks in Madison.
He has two brothers and one sister, one of the brothers residing in
Howard county. Iowa, and the other in Clark county, Wisconsin,
while the sister, Mary A., is the wife of Fred Lohff, of Madison.
Mr. Bechtel has never married.

Frank Joseph Beck, deceased, was for years a trusted employe
of the Chi. & N. W. Ry Company in the city of Madison, and
during his residence in that city won the respect and esteem of
a large circle of friends. He was a native of the kingdom of Austria
and was born on March 19, 1844. His parents were Frank and Anna
Beck, who were also natives of Austria, and the father during life
was a man of considerable prominence, holding the position of
mayor of the city in which he lived. In the Beck family there were
five children, three of whom are now living: Joseph, who is a very
wealthy man, resides in Italy ; Ferdinand is a resident of Virginia
City, Nevada; and a sister still remains in Austria. The subject of
this review received his education in his native country and in Italy,
and in his youth prepared himself for the occupation of a machine-
est. He migrated to America in 1874, and coming directly to Wis-
consin first worked at his trade in the Chi. & N. W. Railway
shops in Baraboo and also at Kendalls, where he was foreman of
the round house, remaining thus employed for about nine years.
He was then promoted to foreman of the Chi. & N. W. Railway
round house at Madison, and he then established his home in the
capital city, where he resided until the occurance of the unfortu-
nate accident which resulted in his deatn, in January, 1898, he being
killed by the explosion of an engine. He had purchased a home at
1130 Jenifer street, in Madison, which his widow still owns. Mr.
Beck was married on August 10, 1874, to Miss Louisa Ann Magerl,
who is also a native of Austria, born May 1, 1855, the daughter of
Wenzel and Ann (Ploner) Magerl. Mr. and Mrs. Beck became
the parents of two children, a son and a daughter, the former of
whom. Joseph F., married Elizabeth Purcell and resides in Madi-
son, and the daughter, Frances C, resides at home with her mother.
Mrs. Beck received an excellent education in Switzerland and is a
woman of high intellectuality and an energetic disposition. She
is an experienced masseur, of exceptionable ability in that line; is
highly respected, and takes a great interest in her children. Her

BIOGRAPHICAL. 77

religious faith is that of the Methodist church, her husband hav-
ing also been a member of that denomination, and the latter also
had membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He
was a Republican in his political affiliations.

Joseph D. Beck, commissioner of labor and industrial statistics,
was born in Vernon county, near the village of Avalanche, March
14, 1866. His father, Mitchell Beck, was born in Pennsylvania,
March 3, 1838, saw service for three months in the Civil War in
Company A, Twenty-fifth Wisconsin infantry with Gen. Jeremiah
Rusk, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea, receiving an
injury to his right arm while driving an artilery wagon, which
crippled him for life. He died May 19, 1897, at the age of sixty-
nine. Mitchell Beck's father, Josiah Beck, was a farmer of Penn-
sylvania and Ohio, who in 1818 removed to that part of Crawford
county, Wis., which later became Bad Ax county, and still later
Vernon county, where he died at the age of sixty-two. His wife
was Mary Mitchell, who lived to be eighty-six years of age. Of
the'r eight children but two are living, — Eva, Mrs. W. C. Snod-
grass of Pacific Grove, Cal., and Armilda, Mrs. J. P. Melvin, who
lives on the Beck homestead in Vernon county. Josiah Beck's
father, John Beck, in the early part of the nineteenth century,
owned the only mill in what is now the city of Johnstown, Pa., and
which was carried away by the great flood. Mitchell Beck mar-
ried Susanna A., daughter of Joseph and Mary (Showen) Snod-
grass, natives of Virginia, who removed to Indiana and later, in 1853,
to what is now Vernon county, Wis., where they died. The daugh-
ter mentioned was born October 27, 1846, and died July 6, 1890.
She was one of twelve children, of whom three are living. Mitch-
ell and Susanna A. Beck were the parents of fourteen children, —
Joseph D.. of Madison, being the oldest. He received his education
in the common schools of Vernon and Richland counties, and had
one term in the Richland Center high school. From 1886 to 1889
he taught in the country schools of Vernon county, and for the fol-
lowing five years was principal of and taught in the graded schools
of Cashton, Wis., and held the office of village clerk of Cashton in
1895. He then entered the Stevens Point Normal School, receiv-
ing his diploma from that institution in 1897. The school year of
1897 — 1898 he was principal of the Wesfby school and the next three
years was at the head of the Cashton high school.. In the fall of
1901 he entered the University of Wisconsin as a junior and received
his degree in 1903. On Jan. 1, 1903, he was made deputy commis-
sioner of labor and industrial statistics by Commissioner Halford

78 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Erickson. Upon the appointment of Mr. Erickson to the railway-
rate commission by Governor La Follette in 1905, Mr. Beck was pro-
moted to the head of the labor bureau, and still occupies that posi-
tion. On November 24, 1888, he married S. Jane, daughter of I. W.
and Sally Peavy, of Vernon county. Mrs. Peavy died while Mrs.
Beck was still a chid; Mr. Peavy died in 1905 at the age of eighty-
six. Mr. and Mrs. Beck have had two children, — A. Lori, born
April 11, 1890, died April 17, 1893 ; and Maud Ethel, born in August,.
1891, and died three months later. Politically Mr. Beck is a Repub-
lican, a strong and influential member of the La Follette wing of the
party. Fraternally he is a Mason, a member of the Modern Wood-
men of America, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which
order he has held all the offices in the subordinate lodge, and all the
offices except grand master in the grand lodge, and is at present the
incumbent of the office of deputy grand master.

Hon. George W. Becker, mayor of Stoughton and a prom-
inent grocer of that city, was born in Frankfort, Germany,.
April 13, 1851, a son of Valentine and Elizabeth Becker. The pa-
rents immigrated to America in 1854, locating in Jefferson county,
where the father purchased a tract of land at Fort Atkinson and
lived the rest of his days. He was a mason-contractor by vocation.
His three children are John, Catherine, (now the wife of Jacob West-
erfield) and George W., the subject of this sketch. The latter was.
but three years of age when the family settled in Fort Atkinson,
where his scholastic training was acquired. When he had completed
his studies he served his apprenticeship as a mason and bricklayer
under his brother John, and at the age of twenty-two launched out
as a contractor. In 1882 he removed to Stoughton to engage in the
same business and followed it continually up to 1889. Many of
the business blocks and fine residences of Stoughton are monuments
to his sk'll and artistic ability. The last building which he erected
before retiring from the business was the Erickson block, one of
the principal business blocks of the city. In 1889 Mr. Becker em-
barked in the grocery business and has been successfully engaged
in it s'nce that time. In politics he is a staunch Republican and as-
the representative of his party has several times been selected to
offices of public trust. In 1885 — 1886 he was a member of the city-
council and in 1893 served on the county board of supervisors. In
April, 1906, he was chosen by a large majority to be the executive-
head of the municipality for a term of two years. In 1873 Mr.
Becker married Miss Libbie Keat, daughter of Philip and Mary
Keat of Jefferson county, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Becker have no chil-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 79

dren. The mayor is a member of Kegonsa Lodge, No. 73, Free and
Accepted Masons. He in a genial, courteous and hearty, — a man
well equipped to fill any position of public trust.

Warner Becker, (deceased), was for over thirty years a well-
known stone mason and contractor in the city of Mad' son, and many
of the stately buildings of the capital city were erected under his
supervision. Mr. Becker was born in Germany, February 14, 1840,
and was one of six children born to Frank and Catherine Becker,
the parents being also natives of the Fatherland. Our subject
was the only one of his family that ever came to America. He
received a fair education in the excellent common schools of his
native land, and served for a time in the regular army of Germany,
but in 1860, at the age of twenty years, he severed all relations with
the institutions of that country and turned his face toward the land
of freedom and better opportunities. Coming directly to Wisconsin
he first "worked as a common laborer and mason-helper, being thus
employed about seven years and in the meantime gaining a good
knowledge of contracting and building. He then began an independ-
ent career as a contractor and followed the same very successfully
until his death, which occurred about ten or twelve years ago. He
became a property owner in the city of Madison, and a few years
prior to his death purchased two full building lots on East Main
street, where he erected two houses, in one of which his widow
still resides. He was an honest and industrious citizen, and his
success was due entirely to his enterprise and intelligence, assisted
by the wise counsel of his faithful wife. The subject of this re-
view was married on April 11, 1874, to Miss Barbara Schneider,
born in Germany, August 12, 1843, daughter of John and Barbara
(Wonderly) Schneider, who migrated to America and were
respected citizens of Sauk City, Wis. In the Schneider family there
were seven children, and five of these are living: Clara married
John Vaner and resides in Dubuque, Iowa ; Barbara is the widow of
the subject of this memoir; Nicholas married Ave Veda, and his
wife is now deceased ; Andrew married Anna Williams and resides
in Dane county; John married Anna Williams (not a relative of his
brother's wife) and resides at Baraboo, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Becker
became the parents of four children, the names and other facts con-
cerning whom are here given : Bernard is a practicing physician
in St. Louis ; John married Carrie Hauk and resides in the city of
Madison ; Katie resides at home with her mother; and Clara married
Matthew Schmitz and is deceased. Warner Becker, whose name

80 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

introduces th's review, was a Democrat in his political affiliations,
and his religious faith was that of the Roman Catholic church.

J. S. Bell, of Brooklyn, a veteran of the Civil War, comes of a
soldierly line. He was born in Sussex county, N. J., February 9,
1842. His parents. Almond and Mary (Sutton) Bell, were na-
tives of the same state, the former born in 1800 and the latter in 1821.
Mr. Bell's paternal grandfather, Josiah Bell, was in the Revolution-
ary War, and took part in that famous crossing of the Delaware,
leaving his blood-stained tracks upon the ice and snow. That he
was no weakling is shown by the fact that he not only survived the
incredible hardships of the war but lived to the extreme old age of
ninety-eight years. Mr. Bell's parents were married in New Jersey
and resided there a number of years before coming west in 1848.
They came to Dane county, staying for a few weeks in Cookville.
and then setled in Rutland township, buying one hundred and
twenty acres of land of Rogers & Cummings ; this Mr. B-ell im-
proved, and made his home continuously until the time of his death,
April 28, 1900, except one year that he spent in California. His
widow is still living upon the old homestead. Mr. J. S. Bell was
a child of six years when he came with his parents to Wisconsin.
He rece'ved his education in the public school of district number
five, and was a young man of nineteen at the breaking out of the
Civil War. He promptly enlisted as a private soldier in Company
D, Second Wisconsin Infantry, and served four years, two months
and nine days. He enlisted May 19, 1861, was sworn into the U. S.
service June 19, and mustered out July 1865, following the close of
the war. He took part in a number of battles and was appointed
captain in the battle of the Wilderness, by General Grant. In one
engagement he was wounded in the head and left for dead on the
field where he was captured by the Confederates. His wound was
neglected, for the first ten days not even washed, and he suffered
the privations of three rebel prisons, Libby first, for four months,
then Tuscaloosa, where he first saw the black flag raised, and then
four months in Salisbury prison. Mr. Bell belongs to the Repub-
lican party, has been treasurer of the town of Rutland for four years,
and postmaster in the village of Brooklyn for eight years. He was
was a charter member of the Masonic and Modern Woodmen's
lodges in Brooklyn, and Master for first five years after organiza-
tion ; was a charter member of the Evansville chapter of
I. Q. O. F., to which he belongs ; he is also a member of G. A. R.
Post, No. 41, of Evansville. He was married, November 4, to
Miss Elnora V. Colburn, daughter of Hobart and Katherine

BIOGRAPHICAL. 81

( Prouty) Colburn, who came from Vermont and settled in Rutland,
where the father died two years ago, and where the mother is still
living-. They have five children, Bertha M., (Mrs. Albert Wink-
ler), of Iowa; Dr. Hugh R. Bell, of Ft. Atkinson; Harvey H. ,who
is in the west; Leslie H., of Iowa; LeGrand L., at home. All
were born in Rutland and educated in Brooklyn and Madison. Mr.
Bell has lived in Brooklyn for twenty-five years ; he has an interest
in one hundred acres of land now in the probate court, and owns
property in the village. He still has many interests although
he has retired from some or his more active labors.

Charles W. Bennett, a respected merchant of Black Earth village,
was born at Hemyock, Devonshire county, England, August 3, 1854.
His father, Frederick Bennett, was born in Comstock. England, in
1816. The maiden name of the subject's mother was Betty Lutley,
born in Hemyock, England in 1816. In 1867 Frederick Bennett
brought his family to America, settling in the town of Black Earth
on one hundred seven and a half acres of section 23. For several
years the family home was on this farm, and then Mr. Bennett re-
tired and removed to Black Earth village ; he acted as local preacher
of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years. He died in
1899, and his wfe died in the same year; both at the ripe old age
of eighty-three. They had six children, Frederick M., a farmer
and miller of Black Earth ; Agnes M., wife of Jas. Holway of
London. Ohio; John, who died in infancy; Samuel, a retired
farmer living in Black Earth ; Charles W., and Edward, who
died October 16. 190-4. Charles W. Bennett was educated in
the common schools of England and those of Black Earth. At the
age of twenty he left home and went with his brother Frederick,
into the meat business in Black Earth village. In 1902 he and
his brother bought an interest in the Black Earth Roller Mills, the
firm name being Bennett Bros. & Ward. Beside their milling busi-
ness the Bennett brothers own six hundred acres of the best farm-
ing land in the township. Politically Mr. Bennett is a Prohibition-
ist, and has twice, in 1902 and 1904, been elected as the member of
the town board of supervisors. Mr. Bennett is not a member of
any church, but attends the Methodist Episcopal church, of wh'ch
his wife is a member. He has been married twice. In October,
1884, he was wedded to Nora Haseltine, who died in 1892. His
second wife was Mertie B. Hewitt of Mt. Sterling, Ohio. He has
no living children by his first wife ; by his second marriage he had
three sons, Hewitt F. and Donald and an infant son. Mr. Bennett
6 — iii

82 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

is an active member of the Black Earth Camp of the Modern Wood-
men of America.

Egbert Bennett, one of the pioneers of Dane county, now living
retired in the town of Dunn, was born in Albany, N. Y., June 4,
1819. His father. William C. Bennett was born in Stephenson,
Rensselaer county, N. Y., and his grandfather, whose name was
also William C. Bennett, was a native of Connecticut from whence
he came to Stephenson, N. Y., purchased land, engaged in farming,
and there spent the remainder of his days. The father of the sub-
ject of this sketch enlisted as a volunteer for the War of 1812, but
was never called into the service. He learned the trade of a tanner
and currier, and went to Albany, N. Y., as a young man, where he
conducted the business until 1821. In the latter year he removed
to Coblesk'll. Schoharie county, and continued the same business
there until 1837, when he moved to Chenango county, purchased a
farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He resided in Chen-
ango county until 1848, and then came to Wisconsin and spent the
remainder of his days in Dane county, dying in 1854. He chose as
his helpmate in life Miss Laura Mygatt, who was born in Dutchess
county, N. Y., the daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Smith) Mygatt.
After her husband's death Mrs. Bennett returned to New York for
the purpose of visiting friends and she died in Albany county of
that state. Two children were reared by this couple Egbert and
Isaac M. Egbert Bennett was reared to manhood in his native
state and educated in the public schools, which, though limited,
were better than the average existing in that day. He resided with
his parents until 1848, and during the last few years of that time
was in charge of their farm. In 1846 he made his first visit to the
territory of Wisconsin and purchased a tract of land at where is
now situated the village of Oregon in Dane county. After a short
stay there he returned to his Eastern home and remained until 1848,
when he again came to Wisconsin, this time for the purpose of mak-
ing a permanent settlement in Dane county. His first employment
in the embryo Badger state was cradling wheat for a neighbor, and
he continued to work as a farm hand for a short time. Dane
county' was then but sparsely settled, Stoughton was a village of
about 300 inhabitants, Madison had about 2,000, with two
hotels and a bank, and much of the land on all sides of the new state
capital was still owned by the government. Deer and other wild
animals roamed at will over the unpreempted soil with a freedom
born of a common and undisputed possession. Home-made wagons
were in general use, oxen were used almost exclusively as beasts

BIOGRAPHICAL. 83

of burden, and in the absence of railroads the farmers' grain was
hauled to Milwaukee. Mr. Bennett says that in those days families
who lived two miles west of his residence would come to a spring
on his farm every day and get their water supply. A short time
subsequent to the date of his permanent settlement in Dane county,
Mr. Bennett purchased ten acres of land, upon which now stands
the principal part of the village of Oregon, erected a home, and
while residing there improved the first tract of land which he had
purchased. The bank building in Oregon occupies the site of the
residence then erected by Mr. Bennett, and it was the first frame
building to appear in the village. In 1857 Mr. Bennett disposed of
the ten acres mentioned and purchased a tract of eighty acres in
section 31 of the town of Dunn, having at the time a frame house
and forty acres broken. ' He began at once to make further im-
provements on the place and was soon the owner of two hundred
and ten acres, with good buildings, which has been his homestead
for years. Aside from this he accumulated one hundred and twenty
acres more, part of which he sold and the remainder he gave away.
Mr. Bennett was married, February 9, 1840, to Miss Margaret Mir-
anda Holmes, who was born in Albany, N. Y., the daughter of John
and Alma (Robbins) Holmes. Mrs. Bennett died October 16, 1884,
having become the mother of two children, the names of whom and
other facts concerning them are as follows : Huldah Celestia, the
eldest, was born December 1, 1840, and is the wife of Mason M.
Green, of Estilene, S. D., and the mother of two children, George
and Hattie. William C, the second child, was born on March 4,
1843, married Louisa Griffin, a native of Albany county, N. Y.,
and died October 5, 1877, having become the father of five children,
two of whom are now living — William C. and Lewis J., both of
whom are practicing physicians in the village of Oregon. Mr.
Bennett was formerly a Whig and cast his first presidential vote for
William Henry Harrison, but he has been a Republican since the
formation of that party. He was the first postmaster of Oregon,
receiving his appointment from President Pierce, and was chair-
man of the town of Dunn in 1864 and has served on the side board
four terms. He joined the Masonic lodge at Evansville, Wis., in
1854. Although eighty-seven years of age, he is in full possession
of his faculties, congenial, generous, exceedingly sociable and hos-
pitable, and is ever endeavoring to please others.

Michael Berg is a retired pioneer farmer of the town of Perry
and a veteran of the Civil War. His parents, Iver and Carrie Berg,
were natives of Norway, where Mr. Berg served for a time in the

84 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

army. Michael was born in Norway, October 13, 1830, and came to
Wisconsin in 1853 with several brothers and sisters. For a few
years he worked out by the day and then purchased eighty acres in
the town of Perry, where he lived ten years. He then sold this
property at a considerable profit and purchased one hundred and
forty acres also in the town of Perry, to which was later added one
hundred and sixty acres. Mr. Berg has now a fine property, well-
equipped, and a large proportion of it under cultivation. His suc-
cess has been earned by untiring energy and patience. Iver Berg
had six children, of whom five came to America. Ever and Austin
reside in Iowa; Ole in Trempeleau county. Wis.; Anna in Prim-
rose and Ingebor in Norway. Michael served the Union cause
during the Civil War as a private in the Twenty-second Regiment
of Wiscons'n Volunteer Infantry. His detachment was engaged in
guard duty and Mr. Berg served from October, 1864 to May, 1865,
when he was discharged at Madison. In October, 1856, he married
Miss Barbara Haaverud, born July 26, 1833, daughter of Knudt and
Christina Haaverud, the former of whom never come to America.
Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Berg; Carrie (deceased) ;
Ever married Emma Johnson and lives in Perry ; Knudt (de-
ceased) ; Christine married Oliver Iverson and resides in Kossuth
county, Iowa ; Carrie lives with her parents ; Anna Olena is the
w'fe of George Matson of Moscow, Iowa county; Evan married
Annie Stenseth and lives in Sioux county, Iowa ; Carena is the wife
of John Jensvold of Kossuth county, Iowa ; Anna Berthine is Mrs.
Edward Benson of Mount Horeb ; Ingebor married Theodore
Johnson and lives in Clark county. Wis. ; Henry lives with his par-
ents. Mr. Berg is allied with the Republican party and is a mem-
ber of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

John B. Berge, a retired farmer, living in the village of Deerfield,
was born at Voss, Norway, January 7, 1832. both his parents, Bun-
gel and Mary (Golickson) Johnson, being natives of that country.
Mr. Berge received a moderate education in the schools of Norway,
and in 1850 came alone to America, making his way directly to
Dane county. He bought one hundred and sixty acres of land
from his brother, who had purchased it from the government a
short time before, and began farming. In 1890 he bought some lots
in the village of Deerfield and built the house in which he now lives.
However, he still owns the farm, which is now conducted by his
son. In politics he belongs to the Republican party ; has served five
terms as town treasurer ; four terms as assessor ; and has several
times been elected as a member of the board of supervisors. He is

BIOGRAPHICAL. 85

a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and is a man of high
moral principles, noted for his generosity. In the fall of 1855 he
married Angeline Michelson Erdall, daughter of Michael Erdall,
and they have the following children : Bungel and Michael on the
home farm in Dane county ; Nickoli in Vernon county ; Tena, mar-
ried Peter B. Winde of Deerfield ; Ellen, married Andrew Hollman,
St. Croix county.

Ole O. Berge, who carries on a general farming business in the
town of Dunn, is an experienced farmer and has lived in the vicinity
of Dunn for nearly thirty years. Born in Tellemarken, Norway,
June 14, 1862, he came to America when a boy of fifteen, with a cous-
in, and located in the town of Dunn. Two of his brothers and a sis-
ter came to America later but the remainder of the family, which in
all numbered nine children, remained in Norway, where three have
died. Mr. Berge's father, also Ole O., married Julia Osman and
lived in Tellemarken, Norway, of which place both were natives.
In 1866 she was left a widow and later married Ole Evenson of
Tellemarken. They were members of the Lutheran church, in
which they brought up their family. Ole O., the subject of this
sketch, received such education as the common schools of Telle-'
marken afforded and embarked for the west in 1877. For a time
he worked out upon farms near Dunn and then rented a farm. In
1896 he purchased twenty-two acres of farm land to which he soon
added another tract of thirty-seven and one-half acres, which is his
present home. All of the improvements have been made by Mr.
Berge, who has spared no pains to make his property valuable. He
bu'lt the comfortable home and has made many other additions to
the farm upon which he raises much fine stock, also grain, tobacco,
etc. Mr. Berge started in with no capital but by his ambition and
energy and his own unaided efforts has made himself one of the
substantial members of the community. He is a Republican but
has never been an active politician and is a member of the Stough-
ton Lutheran church. In 1889, he married Miss Gunil Knutson, a
native of Norway. Seven children have been born to them ; Oscar,
Carl, Gilmer, Alma, — who died in infancy, — Alma, the second,
Clara and Olin. All attended the home schools and the Lutheran
church.

Peter B. Bergum, owner of one of the large farms of Dane county,
located at DeForest, Wis., was born on the old homestead at Bristol,
October 4, 1856. His parents were Botolf and Betsy (Farness)
Bergum, both of whom were born in Norway. Botolf Bergum left
the old country and arrived at Bristol about 1846 where he passed

86 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

the remainder of his life. His wife immigrated to America in 1844.
They were married in Dane county, and had five sons and one
daughter, all of whom are living. They settled on a farm and by
thrift and diligence greatly prospered, finally becoming the owners
of six hundred acres of land. Botolf died in Bristol, March 23, 1904,
and his wife died April 8, 1903. Peter Bergum was thus one of a
family of several children. He received such an education as the
common schools afforded. His father had been a strong Repub-
lican and a member of the Lutheran church and the son followed
in the foot-steps of his parent in politics and in religion, as well as
in occupation. Farm-bred and farm-reared, he became an unusually
successful agriculturist. He now owns two hundred and seventy
acres of land, which he devotes to his extensive tobacco interests.
He also makes a specialty of Poland China hogs, short-horned cat-
tle, and thorough-bred Shropshire sheep, his interest in dairying
having led him to serve as president of the creamery of North
Bristol. He is honored and respected by the community and is one
of the trustees of the Lutheran church. He married on October 30,
1879, Susan Amundson, who was born in Chicago, March 14, 1862,
the daughter of Arne and Inger Amundson, both of whom were
born in Norway. Mr. Amundson came to this country when a
young man, living first in Chicago and then in California. He re-
turned to Norway, but came back to Chicago where he was married.
After his marriage he settled in Hamden, Columbia county, Wis.,
in 1865, where he died in 1889, his wife surviving him until Septem-
ber 2, 1905. Beside the father and mother, the family consisted of
five children, three sons and one daughter of whom are now living.
Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bergum as follows :
Bennie, educated at Stoughton academy and the Dixon normal
school, engaged in farming; Albert and Andrew, educated at Albion
academy and both farmers ; Emma, a student of Albion academy ;
Arthur, Mabel and Lena, the last three being at present at home.

Charles Bernard, Sr. In retirement after a busy life covering a
period of more than four score years, Charles Bernard, Sr., is en-
joying his declining years at his home, 624 East Gorham street, liv-
ing with his son, William P. Bernard, and family. His life of
eighty-two years has been one of industry, frugality and thrift, and
unt'l six years ago, when he fell and injured his spine, there were
few days that he was not actively engaged in some useful form of
work. Extremely fond of water and being connected with the boat
building trade from his youth, Mr. Bernard finds a keen degree of
pleasure, even at his advanced age, in gazing upon the broad ex-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 87

panse of Lake Mendota, a fine view of which his room at the family
residence commands. In the summer months a favorite spot of the
aged boat-builder was in an easy chair in the boat-house adjoining
the pier where, with observation glasses, he would note the move-
ments of the lake craft and watch the steamer Columbia, which
was largely his own creation. Mr. Bernard was born in Baden,
Germany, May 23, 1823, coming to this country when a lad of but
eight years. He learned tailoring in New York city during a resi-
dence there of thirteen years and at the same time became quite
expert in cabinet making, which was accounted a desirable trade
in those days, everything being done by hand. Just as Mr. Bern-
ard was arriving at man's estate the Mexican War broke out and he
was among the first to enroll, enlisting in the Second artillery of
New York, with which regiment he saw five years of active service.
He part'cipated in many battles and was with General Winfield
Scott at the bombardment of Vera Cruz. The storming of the
fortress of Chapultepec and the capitulation of the city of Mexico,
he remembers well, and the fight at Cherabusco, where he was
wounded, is vivid in his memory. Mr. Bernard was shot in the
right shoulder by one of Colonel Reilly's deserters, the ball pene-
trating the joint. After he felt the sting of the missile, he fired
nineteen of the twenty cartridges in his belt, then fainted from loss
of blood. After a hospital residence of several months, Mr. Bernard
was appointed standing orderly under Colonel Monroe, a position
he held until mustered out of the service.

At the hosp'tal the ball was extracted from the wound and given
to the young man who treasured it as a keep-sake until more re-
cent days, when it disappeared. At the beginning of the Civil War
Mr. Bernard joined the Sixth Wisconsin Battery, but was not long
in the serv'ce. The desire to better his position in life induced the
young man to look to the west for opportunity and he came to
Madison in 1851. He had accumulated some money and this he en-
trusted to a friend who promised to purchase with it a nice tract
of land for him west of Madison, but he proved false to his agree-
ment, took the money and skipped for parts unknown. This cir-
cumstance changed his plans and there was no alternative but to
begin tailoring again until he could accumulate enough to begin
building row-boats. His shop was located on the lot owned by
George Stoner. where now stands the Bethel Lutheran church.
Mr. Bernard acquired his knowledge of the proper construction of
boats, while working in the Brooklyn navy-yard where he was em-
ployed as finisher on large vessels. The pointers thus gained stood

88 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

him in good stead, for, with money gone, there was no prospect of
getting a farm as he had planned and the boat business promised
a livelihood. In 1890 he built his first steamboat, which he named
Ann in honor of his daughter, who now lives in Cincinnati. After
two years on Lake Mendota, the Anne was sold and was taken to
Green Lake. In 18!).'$ the year of the world's fair in Chicago, Mr.
Bernard built the Columbia, the work on both vessels being done
by hand. Last spring the Columbia was dismantled and superseded
by the new steamer, Wisconsin, built by the Madison Boat Com-
pany and owned by William P. Bernard. In 1849 at New York
c'ty. Miss Margaret Cartes became the wife of Mr. Bernard, com-
ing to Madison with her husband in 1851. Nine children were born
to them, five sons and four daughters. Those now living are
Charles Bernard, Jr., chief of the city fire department of Madison ;
Henry Bernard, captain of the fire department; William P. Bernard,
boat and ice-yacht builder of Madison ; and George Bernard of Sioux
City. Iowa, superintendent of a telephone company. Only two
daughters are living, — Mrs. H. J. VanKeulen of Madison and Mrs.
F. G. Pfafr of Cincinnati. Catherine died at an early age and a few
months ago Mrs. Frank Baker passed away. A son, George, died
in Chicago, and Mrs. Bernard was called seventeen years ago. Mr.
Bernard's parents died at a comparatively early age, his father be-
ing killed in battle and his mother died from grief soon after, at the
age of forty-eight. He has but one brother living. This is Constan-
tine, whose home is in New York city. Mr. Bernard is a member
of the Mozart lodge, I. O. O. F., and has been connected with the
old No. 2 fire company since 1859. Although seriously hampered
physically by reason of the injury to his spine six years ago. this
veteran of two wars finds enjoyment in reading and recalling events
of earlier days. He is possessed of strength of memory quite re-
markable. Mr. Bernard's career is one of that varied character
common only to the generation now almost gone.

Charles Bernard, Jr., chief of the Madison fire department, and
a son of Charles Bernard, Sr., whose sketch appears elsewhere in
this volume, was born in New York city on February 22, 1849. His
early educational advantages were such as were afforded by the
Mad'son schools and during the time he was not occupied in the
pursuit of knowledge he assisted his father in his boating and fish-
ing business. At the age of twenty-two he served his apprentice-
ship as a painter and followed that vocation continuously up to
1899. Six years of that time he was senior member of -the firm of
Bernard, Dresen & Rhodes. Mr. Bernard's connection with the

BIOGRAPHICAL. 89

Madison fire department dates from 1871. In that year, just one
week before the great Chicago fire, he became a member of the
old E. W. Keyes steam engine company. Upon the disbandment
of that company he joined the S. U. Pinney hose company, and for
some time was its captain and treasurer. It was while he was a
member of the hose company that the city council in 1882 elected
him to the position of assistant chief of the department. He served
in that capacity for seven years, and then was placed in charge of
the department, which position he has most capably filled since that
time. When the exigencies of the city required a larger depart-
ment Mr. Bernard gave up his other business interests so as to de-
vote his entire time to the needs of the department. In 1900 the de-
partment was placed under civil service and he was chosen perma-
nent chief by the board of fire and police commissioners. In politics
the chief shows a preference for the Democratic party, but has never
aspired to political office. His religious affiliations are with the
Presbyterian church. In 1873 Chief Bernard married Miss Mary
McConnell, a daughter of Richard McConnell of Madison. Two
children have been born to this union. — Bertha, the wife of Charles
Warlike of Madison, and Henry, a stenographer for the Portland
safe company of Portland, Oregon.

Dr. Joseph H. Bertrand s a leading physician and business man
of De Forest, Wis., and. the descendant of a Canadian family. His
father's father came from France to Canada and his mother's par-
ents were early French settlers of Canada. Peter Bertrand, father
of Joseph H., was born in Canada, educated there and there mar-
ried to Miss Seraphine Courtmanche, also a native" of Canada. In
1855 they came to Chicago and made that city the'r permanent
home. Mr. Bertrand died in 1883 and his wife in 1905. They were
members of the Church of Xotre Dame (Roman Catholic) in Chi-
cago. Two sons and one daughter were born to them, all of whom
are living. Joseph H. was born in Chicago, September 27, 1862,
attended the public schools in that city and was graduated from the
College of Physicians and Surgeons of the University of 111., in 1886.
For a short time he practiced medicine in Chicago but, seeing a fav-
orable opportunity in De Forest, has been ever since successfully
engaged in practice there. Since 1891 he has been engaged in the
drug business and also aided in the organization of the De Forest
State Bank in 1902, of which he has always been president. A'
Republican in political sympathy. Dr. Bertrand is first and foremost
an active and public-spirited man, to whom De Forest can look for
interest in her welfare. He is particularly accive in the promotion

90 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

•of the best interests of the De Forest schools. In the Hansann
Lumber Co., he is president and principal stock-holder. With the
following' medical societies he is identified: the Central Wisconsin
Medical Society, the Dane County Medical Society, the State
Medical Society of Wisconsin, and the American Medical Associa-
tion. He is also a member of the Wisconsin State Pharmaceutical
Association and was instrumental in the organization of the De For-
est Mutual Fire Insurance Co., of which he was President for a num-
ber of years, November 26, 1891, he married Miss Tina Dahl, daugh-
ter of N. L. Dahl, an account of whose life appears elsewhere.
Three children have blessed the marriage ; Pearl, born February 13,
1896 ; Norman and Joseph Bernard. The family are identified with
the Lutheran church.

George Bevitt, an inventor of Madison, was born at Stanley Hill,
near the city of Wakefield, Yorkshire, England, October 2, 1819.
He is a son of George and Elizabeth (Smith) Bevitt, both natives
of Yorkshire. The father was a carpenter and mill-wright, and also
built boats. The paternal grandfather, William Bevitt, lived near
Thorn and was also a carpenter. He had a large family, owned
considerable real estate, was the poor pay-master for two villages
and kept a hotel. He also built and was the owner of several boats
and two of his sons were sailors. George Bevitt, the subject of the
sketch, is one of a family of ten children, and the only one to come
to this country. He received a fair education in the schools of his
native county, and after leaving school learned the trade of cabinet
maker. At the age of twenty years he left home and for about two
years worked at his trade as a journeyman in different localities.
He then went to Bolton, where he found employment in an organ
factory and later started in business for himself. In 1849 he came
with his family to America, and on September 20, of that year,
arrived at Madison. Here he worked for Darwin Clark and others
as a cabinet maker, until he was employed by the Chicago, Milwau-
kee & St. Paul Railroad Company to look after the pumping sta-
tions, etc., in Illinois and Wisconsin. While thus employed he
invented a tank-spout and valve which is now used by the leading-
railroad companies of the United States. He also invented a car-
coupler and various other appliances, having taken out altogether
twenty-two patents. Mr. Bevitt was a member of the old fire com-
pany No. 1, and was for six years a constable of Dane county. In
1841, at Leeds, England, he married Miss Mary, daughter of Rob-
ert and Mary Critoph, and to this marriage were born twelve chil-
dren, only three of whom are now living. Mary E. is the wife of

BIOGRAPHICAL. 91

Rev. Justin Thompson, of Poynette, Wis. ; Henrietta J. lives with
her father; and Hannah is the wife of William L. Steele, a whole-
sale jeweler of Chicago, with offices in the Masonic Temple. The
mother of these children died in March. 1902.

Ole Bilstad, a well-known Cambridge druggist, has been engaged
in mercantile business for a number of years. He is of Norwegian
descent, both of his parents having been natives of Telemarken,
Norway. His father. Even, was a farmer in Norway and was there
wedded to Miss Dagna Midgard. In 1813. they came to the United
States in a sa'ling vessel, which was twenty-one weeks in crossing
the ocean. After a very short stay in New York, where the vessel
arrived at length, the young couple came to Wisconsin and settled
on a farm in Oakland, Jefferson county. Their property consisted
of one hundred and sixty acres obtained from the government and
on it they bu'lt a rude dug-out and proceeded to improve the farm.
The first wheat they raised was carried ten miles to Lake Mills on
the back of the pioneer farmer. Their efforts were crowned with
success and later the dug-out was replaced by a snug cabin. In
1866 the farm was sold and the family moved to Dane county and
purchased eighty acres of improved farm property. Five children
were born, but two of the older ones, Stena and Tollaf, died. Tona,
the second child, now lives at Seattle, Wash. Gunel lives at Neils-
ville, Wis. and Ole. the subject of this sketch, is the youngest son.
The family attended the Lutheran church. Ole Bilstad was born
at Oakland, Jefferson county, March 28, 1848, attended in the win-
ter time such schools as the district afforded in those days and
helped his parents on the farm in his spare time. October 24, 1872,
he married Miss Ingobar Mandt and soon after came to Cambridge,
where he was employed as clerk by T. C. Stagg, who owned a drug
and general store. He became Mr. Stagg's partner and a dry goods
department was added to the store. In 18"79, Mr. Bilstad bought
the drug business and since that time has carried on a drug, sta-
tionery, paint and wall-paper business. Mr. Bilstad is a Republ'can
in political sympathy and has served as trustee and school clerk in
the village for a long period. With his family he attends the Pres-
byterian church of Cambridge. Mrs. Bilstad is the daughter of
Gunder T. Mandt, a prominent citizen of Stoughton, Wis., whose
sketch appears elsewhere. Four children were born to Mr. and
Mrs. Bilstad: the oldest son. Gunerius E., attended the Cambridge
schools, the Stoughton Academy and the University of Wisconsin ;
was also graduated from the Northwestern Medical College and is a
practicing physician of Cambridge. His wife was Miss Clara W ar-

92 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

ren, daughter of Dr. George B. Warren, of Chicago, and they have
a family of three children. George, Esther and May. The oldest
daughter of Ole Bilstad is Sena D., wife of John Richardson of San
Francisco, Cal. Clara, the next in age, is the wife of Will F. Krip-
pen of Barron, Wis., and they have one child, Paul B. Florence O.
Bilstad, the youngest daughter, resides with her parents at Cam-
bridge. Mr. Bilstad is a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge No.
135 of Cambridge and Dr. Bilstad belongs to the State Medical
Society of Wisconsin.

Wenzl Binstock, a farmer in the town of Cottage Grove, was born
at Waterloo, Jefferson county, Wis., June 11, 1863. His father,
whose name was also Wenzl, was a native of Austria. He grew to
manhood in his native land, married there Hannah Freidel, and
June, 1859, located in Jefferson county. After nine years on this
farm they sold it and bought s'xty-eight acres in another locality.
Here they added to their possessions until they owned a fine farm
of one hundred and seventy acres, where they passed the remainder
of their lives. Of their ten children six are still living. They are
August, living retired at Waterloo ; Peter, a farmer at Sun Prairie ;
Wenzl, the subject of this sketch ; Hannah, now Mrs. Frank Veithr
of the town of Medina ; Rose, the wife of Ferdinand Vieth, of Wat-
erloo, and Anna, the wife of Anton Thomas, of Sun Prairie. At
the age of twenty-five years Wenzl Binstock, the son, began farm-
ing for himself on a farm belonging to his father. This tract of
land he afterward bought, and it has been his home ever since he
commenced life on his own account. On April 17, 1888, he married
Mary, daughter of Vincent and Victoria Semon, of the town of
Medina, and Mrs. Binstock has been a real helpmate to her husband
in all his undertakings. This, coupled with the fact that he is a man
of super 'or judgment and untiring energy, accounts for his success.
He and his wife have had the following children. Hattie, born
March 2, 1889 ; Anna, born on March 28, 1891. and died on October
5. 1891 ; twins, born March 25, 1893, one of them died in infancy and
the other. John, died on September 8, 1893 ; Cary M , born March 26,
L896. Vincent and Victoria Semon, had four children, viz: Mary,
now Mrs. Wenzl Binstock ; Joseph, living in Illinois; John, at Ocon-
omowoc, Wis.; and Vincent, living in the town of Medina. Mr.
Binstock is a member of the Catholic church and in his political
amTations is classed as an independent voter. He belongs to the
Lodge of Woodmen at Cottage Grove, and to the Catholic Order of
Foresters.

William H. Birkinbine, one of the successful farmers and stock-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 93

growers of Sun Prairie township, was born :n Delafield, Waukesha
county, Wisconsin, October 1, 1854, and is a son of Henry R. and
May (Austin) Birkinbine, the former of whom was born in Penn-
sylvania, in 1807, and the latter in the state of New York, Decem-
ber 15, 1833. The father came to Madison, Wisconsin, in an early
day and there erected the first saw mill for the late Andrew Proud-
fit. He later settled near the city of Milwaukee, where he owned
and operated a saw mill for a number of years. * He passed the clos-
ing' years of his life in Nashville, Tennessee, where he was for some
time employed as a machinist. He was both an engineer and mill-
wright, and finally was placed on the retired 1st of pensioned en-
gineers of the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad. His twin
brother, William, was awarded a prize as an engineer at the World's
Columbian Exposition, in Chicago, in 1893. Henry Birk'nbine was
a Democrat in politics, in earlier life, but supported the Republican
cause from the time of Lincoln until his death, which occurred in
1888. His w'dow now resides in Scotland, South Dakota, and of
their four children two are living. The paternal grandfather of
the subject of this sketch was a native of Germany, whence he em-
migrated to America, locating in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where
he passed the remainder of his life, having been in independent cir-
cumstances financially. The maternal grandfather, Hezekiah Aus-
tin, was born in the state of New York, and came to Wisconsin
about 1845, settling in Waukesha, where he engaged in the work
of his trade, that of blacksmith. Both he and his wife, whose
maiden name was Lucinda Stowell, cont'nued their residence in
Wisconsin until their death. William H. Birkinbine completed his
educational trailing in the public schools of Sun Prairie, and he has
made farming his vocation in life, while he has won his way to
success and independence through earnest and well directed per-
sonal effort. He now owns a well improved and valuable farm of
one hundred and ninety acres, one hundred acres of which are in
the corporat'on of Sun Prairie and the remainder in Sun Prairie
township, the tract being all in one body, however. In 1903 he
erected his present large and well equipped barn, and in 1904 com-
pleted his fine modern residence. He gives his attention to general
farming ard stock raising and is alert and progressive in his methods
and ideas, while he commands the esteem of all with whom he
comes in contact. Mr. Birkinbine is a stanch Republican, but has
never sought official preferment. He is identified with Sun Prairie
Lodge, No. 143, Free and Accepted Masons, and attends and gives
support to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mrs. Birkin-

94 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

bine is a member; he assisted in the erection of the present church
and parsonage of the denominat'on in Sun Prairie. On March 5,
1884, Mr. Birkinbine was married to Miss Emma Haner, who was
born in Bristol township, this county, November 19, 1854, being a
daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Stroup) Haner, now residents of Sun
Prairie. Mr. and Mrs. Birkinbine have five children, whose names,
with respective dates of birth, are here entered : Eva, January 27,
1885; Minnie, September 13, 1886; William Frank, October 4, 1888;
Sarah, December 3. 1890 ; and Robert, November 10, 1893.

Adolph Birrenkott is one of the leading stock-growers and far-
mers of Cross Plains township, which has been h's home from the
time of his birth, and no citizen of this locality is held in more dis-
tinctive confidence, while his progressive ideas and marked business
acumen need no farther voucher than that afforded in the success
which stands to his credit and the attractive appearance of h's fine
farm. He was born on the home farm of his parents, in section 28,
this township, June 7, 1855, and is a son of Michael and Clara M.
(Kalshauer) Birrenkott, both of whom were born in Rhenish Prus-
sia ; they came to America as young folk and their marriage was
solemnized after their arrival here, both having left the fatherland
about the year 1852. Michael Birrenkott was born in Kerpen, Ger-
many. September 7, 1830, a son of Adolph and Margaret Birrenkott,
with whom he came to America when about twenty-two years of
age. The family made Dane county their destination, and Michael
and his father first purchased one hundred and twenty acres of wild
land, in section 28, Cross Plains township, erecting a primative log
house on the place and later making an addition to the same, while
they grappled with the forest and improved a good farm. The par-
ents of Michael here passed the remainder of their lives. Clara M.
(Kalshauer) Birrenkott was born July 13, 1830, having been a
daughter of John and Theresa Kalshauer, who came to Dane county
about the same time as did the Birrenkott family. Michael Birren-
kott became a man of prominence and influence in the community,
having served as supervisor and assessor of his township and hav-
ing been a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, while both he
and his wife were communicants of the Catholic church. His death
occurred January 12, 1874, and his widow entered into eternal rest
February 26. 1884. Of the nine children the subject of this sketch
was the first-born and eight of the number are living, one having
died in infancy. The names of the others are here entered in order
of their birth : Theresa, Gertrude, John, Jacob, Peter, Michael J.
and Joseph. All are still resident of Dane county. Adolph Birren-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 95

kott was afforded the advantages of the schools of his native town-
ship and after the death of his father he remained on the old home-
stead with his mother until the time of his marriage. He still con-
tinued on the old homestead, however, and eventually purchased
the interests of the seven other heirs, and he now owns two hun-
dred and eighty-six acres of well improved land. He has individu-
ally made many improvements, in the way of erecting and remodel-
ing buildings and the farm is one of the model places of the town-
ship. He now gives his attention more especially to the raising of
h'gh-grade live stock, having short-horn cattle, which he buys and
feeds and then places on the market each year, while he also raises
horses and swine and has a considerable dairy business. He is a
great fancier of fine horses and has several standard-bred horses of
distinctive beauty and value. He is a stalwart in the local camp of
the Democratic party and he has been chairman of the township
board twelve years, while he has held other local offices and is
recognized as one of the political leaders of his township. He and
lis wife are communicants of St. Mary's Catholic church, at Pine
Bluff, and he was treasurer of the parish seven years. November
24, 1885, Mr. Birrenkott was united in marriage to Miss Anna J.
Conrad, who was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, March
21, 1866, being a daughter of John J. and Katherine (Herchenroder)
Conrad, who were born in Germany. They settled in Lancaster
county, Pennsylvania, where they remained until 1868, when they
came to Dane county, Wisconsin, where they passed the remainder
of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Birrenkott have seven children, whose
names and dates of birth are as follows : Margaret K., May 1, 1887 ;
Michael J., May 21. 1888; Clara M., February 6, 1892; Theresa ].r
March 20, 1891; Katherine M., August 20, 1900; Anna E., Septem-
ber 3, 1902 ; and A. Verner J., April 18. 1905.

Grant E. Bissell operates one of the largest farms in Vienna town-
ship. His father, Henry H. Bissell, was a native of New York and
a pioneer of Columbia county, where he came with his father, Uri
Bissell, in an early day. Henry Bissell was married in Columbia
county, to Miss Cacindra Wilkins, also a native of New York, and
lived for a number of years upon a farm. For some years past he
has been the owner of a hardware store and lumber-yard at Brown-
town, Wis., but has retired from active business and resides in
Madison. Mr. and Mrs. Bissell are members of the Adventist
church. Their family circle included nine sons and daughters, of
whom all but two are now living. Grant E. Bissell, their son, was
born at West Point, Columbia county. Wis., July 1, 1868, attended

06 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

the common schools in Green and Dane counties and later the
Northwestern Business College. For a short time he followed the
profession of school-teaching but soon turned his attention to farm-
ing and at present rents the David Robertson property of eight hun-
dred acres and carries on an extensive general farming business be-
sides raising short-horned cattle, Clydesdale horses and Poland
China hogs. His sympathies are with the Prohibition movement
and he is allied with that political party. February 15, 1893, Mr. Bis-
sell married Miss Addie Dodge, who was born in Roxbury, Dane
county. Wis., daughter of George and Ellen (Brereton) Dodge.
Mr. Dodge was born in New York and his wife in Ireland. They
were early settlers of Dane county and now reside in Roxbury
township. To Mr. and Mrs. Bissell were born five children and all
are yet at home. Ellen C. is the oldest daughter and (in order of
their ages) the other members of the family are Albert H., Grace E.,
Dorothy E. and George E. The Bissell family are identified with
the Methodist Episcopal church, in which they are active workers.
Jerome Bixby is one of Dane county's pioneers, whose strong and
hearty old age comes as the crown of an active and useful life.
A native-born American, as were both his parents, Mr. Bixby is the
son of George Bixby, who was born in Connecticut and Eunice
(Taylor) Bixby, whose birthplace was near the Susquehanna river
in New York. Their home was in Genessee county, N. Y., for
many years and their later life was spent with their son Jerome, in
Wisconsin. Five children were born to them : Mallisa, the eldest,
is the wife of A. D. Stevens of Oregon, Wis. ; Hulda is Mrs. J. Smith
and lives in Illinois; Jerome was the next son; the youngest son
died and Elizabeth, the youngest daughter, married Mr. L. Miller
and resides in Bureau county, 111. Jerome was born in Genessee
county, N. Y., May 11, 1827, received such limited education as the
schools of the district afforded at that time, and came west in 1845,
When he was a boy it was customary for the children of the com-
munity to go barefoot to church and the mistress of the house con-
sidered herself fortunate if she had a calico dress to wear, home-
spun being the common garb. Jerome Bixby located in Ogle
county, 111., for one year, then came to Janesville, Wis., and drove
a team between Janesville and Milwaukee for three years. His first
visit to Stoughton was made in 1847 and in 184!) he located there.
He saw the first lumber hauled for Stoughton buildings the first
store opened by Luke Stoughton, etc. In 1851 he purchased eighty
acres of farm land near Rutland and became one of the first resi-
dents of that community. The original homestead has been en-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 97

larged and the farm now consists of one hundred and eighty acres
of fine farm land, which has been improved in every way. It is
known as the "Island Lake Farm," the name bestowed upon it by
its owner, and upon it is carried on a general farming business, in-
cluding the raising ol fine stock. Mr. Bixby also owns a large tract
of land in Aurora county, S. Dak., and is heavily interested in Colo-
rado mines. A Republican in sympathies Mr. 'Bixby has never de-
voted much time to politics, though he has served as a member of
the town board for two terms. For three years he was delegate
to the Farmers' National Congress and has attended county conven-
tions. He is a member of the Stoughton branch of the I. O. O. F.
February 14, 1892, he married Miss Mary S. Emmons, daughter of
Isaac and Emily Emmons, whose home is in New York state.

Claus Black is one of the highly respected citizens of the town
of Oregon, and although more than two-thirds of his life was spent
in the far-away land of his birth he is contented in the knowledge
that his sons and daughters are enjoying the privileges and advan-
tages guaranteed to all in their adopted country, America. It is
to the citizens of foreign birth such as he who is the subject of this
brief review, that we are indebted, in part at least, for our material
advancement and national prosperity. Mr. Black was born on the
island of Lolland, Denmark. August 12, 1825, the son of Ole Larson
and Bertha Marie (Hanson) Black. He grew to manhood in his
native country, was educated in her schools, and then showed his
loyalty and allegiance to the government by serving as a soldier in
the war between Denmark and Germany, in 1848-50. In 1882, with
his wife and ten children, he migrated to America. Three children
preceded him to this country, and one remained in Denmark for
another year. He first settled in the town of Union, Rock county,
where he rented land for one year, and then bought a farm in the
town of Oregon, Dane county, where he is now living a retired life.
The difficulties confronting this family can hardly be real'zed by
the native-born American. When they arrived on Wisconsin soil
none of them could speak a word of English, but with unusual
determ' nation and natural ability of a high order they succeeded
nicely and were soon reckoned among the substantial citizens of the
community in which they lived. Aside from the subject that first

demanded his attention that inexorable "first law of nature"

self-preservation, Mr. Black early took more than a passing interest
in American institutions and especially affairs of a local nature.
He became a convert to the political faith of the Democratic party
and has given faithful allegiance to that organization since he first
7— iii

98 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

exercised the high prerogative that goes with American citizenship.
The date of his marriage, which was solemnized in the country
that gave him birth, was in October, 1856, and the lady of his choice
was M'ss Sena Hansenaskafta, who was also born in Denmark,
May 16, 1835, the daughter of Hans and Anna Dorothy (Barcusson)
Hansenaskafta. The names of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Black,
and other information concerning each of them are appropriately
given in this connection : Theodore Olaf resides in South Dakota ;
Theresa Maria is now wife of Mace Matson. of the town of Fitch-
burg; Rasmus lives in Minnesota; Louis is given more extended
mention on another page; Dora is the w'fe of Peter Miller, of the
state of Washington ; Wilmer married Francis Neibur and resides
in the town of Rutland ; Sena became the wife of Henry Lutz, of
M'lwaukee, and is now deceased; Hans married Ida Wood and
resides in the town of Dunn ; Christian resides at the old home ;
Anna Marie is the wife of Halvar Rhinedahl, of Sun Prairie, Wis. ;
Fredrika Amelia is the wife of William Bates, ol the town of
Oregon ; Mary is the wife of John Bjoin, of Stoughton ; Nels Peter
married Sadie Hagan and resides in the town of Oregon; and
Lovie C. remains at home where he has charge of the farm and of
the general affairs of the family. He was educated in the district
schools of the town of Oregon, and is a young man of more than
ordinary intelligence. He is an active member of the Knights of
Pythias lodge at Oregon, and is exceedingly popular wherever
known.

Louis Black is one of the thrifty farmers of the town of Oregon,
who, by his industry and careful management has won a posi-
tion of influence in. the community in which he resides. He is one
of the sons of Claus Black, who is given appropriate mention on
another page of this volume, and with the family the subject of
this review came to America in 1882. Louis Black was born in
Denmark on December 20, 1863, and hence was eighteen years of
age when the family decided to try their fortunes in the new world
Having received a fair education in his native tongue, after locat-
ing in America he supplemented the knowledge thus gained by
attendance upon the district schools of the town of Oregon, and
w'th good natural ability and force of character he was thus
equipped to solve the problems of an independent career. He
made his home upon the parental farm until 1894, and then pur-
chased sixty acres of excellent land in the town of Oregon, upon
which he has since lived, and which he has greatly improved by the
erection of a fine residence, barns, fences, and the addition of other

BIOGRAPHICAL. 99

improvements necessary to the making of an up-to-date homestead.
On March 7, 1894, he was married to Miss Anna Barmhisel, a native
of the state of Ohio, but reared and educated in Grant county, Wis.,
to which place her parents had removed a few years after the close
of the Civil War, in which her father had rendered valiant service
as a Union soldier. Mr. Black takes an independent position in
political matters, not allying- himself with any party organization,
but giving his support to men and measures as they meet the
approval of lis conscience and good judgement. His religious
affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal church.

James Blake, a retired farmer of Mazomanie, was born in County
Clare, Ireland, August 15, 1835. He is the eldest of three children
born to Henry and Margaret (Mangen) Blake, the father a native
of county L'merick and the mother of county Claire. The other
two children were Mary and Henry. The mother died in Ireland
in 1819, and the father married a widow named McGrath, but no
children were born to his second marriage. In 1851 the family
came to America on a sailing vessel, landing at Quebec, Canada,
after a voyage of five weeks. From Quebec they came by way of
the Great Lakes to Milwaukee, and from there to Janesville, Wis.,
where the father went to work on the construction of the Chicago,
Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, assisting to build the road as far
west as M'ddleton. In 1855 he bought a tract of government land
in the town of Vermont and lived on it for several years, when he
went to Green county. Wis., and there lived the rest of his life.
James Blake had but limited opportunities to acquire an educat'on.
Soon after coming to this country he began driving team, grading
the railroad on which his father was employed, and later secured
employment as a farm hand. While thus engaged he studied nights
and learned to read and write. He was next employed in a flour
mill at Monticello for two years, after which he ran a mill for
John Adams in Iowa county for some time. He then bought land
of his father and began farming for himself. Five years later he
sold this farm and bought two hundred acres in another locality,
in the town of Black Earth, and lived there for twelve years. He
then bought the four hundred and thirty-eight acres known as the
"Summer Side" farm, and lived on it until 1889. He then sold this
farm and took up his residence where he now lives, on ten acres of
ground near the town of Mazomanie. In his political afhTations
Mr. Blake is a Democrat. He has served on the town and village
boards of Vermont, Black Earth and Mazomanie, and has been
called at times to serve as a grand juror or a member of the jury

100 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

in the United States district court. lie belongs to the Cathol'c
church at Mazomanie and has been a liberal contributor to its many
worthy charities. His brother Henry served four years in the Civil
War as a private in Company A, Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry.
On July 5, 1857, James Blake and Catherine Denen, daughter of
Jeremiah Denen, a native of County Cork, were united in marriage,
and to this union have been born eight children. George is the
railroad agent at Inman, Kan. ; Patrick H. is cashier of a bank at
Orofino, Idaho; James W. is president of the Fidelity state bank,
of the same place ; Jeremiah J. is an attorney at Boise, Idaho ;
Margaret R. is the wife of J. B. Carey, of Cloquet, Minn.; Kate,
deceased, married J. P. O'Grady, cashier of the state bank of Ober-
lin, Kan.; Helen is now the wife of J. P. O'Grady; Elzabeth is the
wife of Edward L. Murphy, of Pennoc'k, Minn. All the children
are well educated, six of them having taught school, and all are
doing well.

Henry D. Blanchar is a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of the
town of Windsor which is his birth-place. He is the son of Wil-
liard Blanchar, who came from New York to Wisconsin in 1848.
Horace Blanchar, father of Williard, was born in New York and
came to Dane county in 1850. He married Miss Lovisa Pyer, also
a native of New York. Williard Blanchar was born in Chautau-
qua county, N. Y. April 20, 1822, married Miss Elvira Cooper, born
in 1824, and came to Dane county, Wis., in 1848. He obtained a
farm of one hundred and twenty acres in the town of Windsor and
lived there until 1883, when he sold the farm and went to live in
Madison. Mrs Blanchar died in 1851. The second wife of Mr.
Blanchar was Miss Mary Reynolds and now lives in Madison, Wis.
Mr. Blanchar died in 1888 in Florida. Four children were born to the
first marriage, of whom three are living, and five children blessed
the second marriage, of whom three are living. Mr. Blanchar was
prominent in the comuunity, held the office of superviaor and treas-
urer in the town and was allied with the Republican party, as is
also his son Henry. Henry D. Blanchar was born in Windsor
township April 7, 1850, attended the home schools and the North-
western business college in Madison, Wis. For a year he engaged
in business in Souix Falls, S. D.. but preferred the occupation of
farming and in 1S83, purchased the old homestead in Windsor, a
farm of two hundred twenty-nine and one-half acres, which has
since been his home. Mr. Blanchar devotes considerable attention
to stock-raising and has Holstein cattle, Poland China hogs and
Shropshire sheep, with which he is very successful. Mr. Blanchar

BIOGRAPHICAL. 101

is a Republican and has served as supervisor of the town for a num-
ber of years. April 12, 1883, he married Miss Anna Chambers, who
was born in Springfield township, Dane county, in September, 1855,
daughter of William and Jane (Dunlap) Chambers, who were na-
tives of Ireland and came to Springfield in 1853. In 1880 they went
to live in Madison and after nine years residence in that city came
to live in the home of Mr. Blanchar at Windsor. One son, Stan-
ley E. was born to Mr. and Mrs. Blanchar in 1885, educated in the
Windsor high school and married Miss Grace Rob nson, daughter
of Barber F. Robinson. The family attend the Congregational
church.

Henry Bliefernicht is a well-known farmer and stock-raiser of
De Forest. He is the son of Daniel Bliefernicht, who was born in
Germany, July 7, 1800, and there married Miss Sophia Radio, also
a native of Germany. Their married life was spent on a farm in
Germany and Mrs. Bliefernicht died there in 1850, forty-five years
of age. Ten children were born to them, of whom seven are now
living. Mr. Bliefernicht came to the United States with his son
Henry in 1852 and lived for a time in Watertown, Wisconsin. In
1864 they located upon a farm in the town of Windsor and Daniel
Bliefernicht lived until 1885. The family attended the Lutheran
church of which their son Henry is a member. Henry was born in
Germany, December 31, 1812, attended school there and afterward
in Jefferson county. He early engaged in farming and commenced
by renting, in 1864, the farm which is now his own. In 1868 he
purchased the property, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres,
and he has improved and equipped his farm until it has become a
valuable property and a comfortable home. He makes a specialty
of Polled Angus cattle and Poland China hogs. Mr. Bliefernicht
has served the community as assessor and treasurer and super-
visor of the town of Windsor and is allied with the Republican
party. April 10, 1870, occurred his marriage to Miss Freada
Klingenberg, born in Germany in 1850, daughter of John and Char-
lotta (Knutz) Klingenberg. who came to the United States from
Germany in 1853. Mr. Klingenberg was born in Germany in 1830
and h's wife in 1827. After a short residence in Columbia county
they moved to Morrisorfville, where Mrs. Klingenberg died in 1903
and her husband still resides. Three of their seven children are
living. To Mr. and Mrs. Bliefernicht have been born six children ;
Regina, William, Daniel, Amelia, Martha and Hulda.

John Bliven is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and eighty
acres in the town of Albion, which has been the home of the familv

102 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

since 1843 and was the birth place of the present owner. His
grandfather came from Washington county, N. J. to Alfred, N. Y.
in an early day and there Horace, father of John, grew to manhood.
Of a family of eight children but three came west, Silas, Horace and
William. Silas went to Nebraska. William made his home in
Evanston and Horace settled in 1839 where the city of Milton now
stands. He was a shoe-maker by trade but engaged in farming in
Wisconsin. In 1813 he went to Albion and purchased a farm of
eighty acres to which he added from time to time until the property
comprised one hundred and eighty-six acres. His first home was
built of logs but he was successful in his enterprise and soon con-
verted his farm into a profitable property with substantial buildings.
Mr. Bliven belonged to the Seven Day Baptist church and was
instrumental in the organization of a branch in that community,
was a charter member of the church at Milton and also at Albion.
Carpenter as well as shoe-maker and farmer, Mr. Bliven was em-
ployed on many of the buildings of the neighborhood, gave his ser-
vices as well as financial assistance to the erection of the Albion
academy and was always a generous and public-spirited man. He
was a Republican but never desired political office. In 1843 he
married Miss Charlotte Clement of Dunham. Canada, and eight
children were born to them ; William, who lives with his brother
John, up on the old farm ; Mary J. who is Mrs. Buchanan of Jack-
son, Mich. ; Susan M., Mrs. Alexander Campbell of Albion ; John B. ;
Amos, who resides in Carthage, S. Dak ; James G., also
on the farm ; Eliza, Mrs. Chas. Smith of Albion ; John G. who died in
infancy. Mrs. Bliven died in 1878 and her husband in 1881. John
Bliven was born in Albion, attended the district schols and the
Albion academy and has been occupied with farming since he was a
a young man. January 15, 1875, he married Miss Julia Van Horn
of Cambridge, who died November 10, 1893. The present Mrs.
Bliven was Miss Jessie Van Horn, sister of Mr. Bliven's first wife
and daughter of Nathan Van Horn, a pioneer of Jefferson county,
who built the first woolen mill in Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Bliven
have three children : Marjorie, Marian and Doris. . The family are
identified with the Seven Day Baptist church of Albion.

Aslak Bohle is a native of Norway but. has been a resident of
Perry township since he was a boy of thirteen and has for many
years been engaged in farming in that vicinity. With his parents,
Ole and Enger (Kmultson) Bohle, he came to the United States in
1873 and settled in Dane county, Wisconsin. Ole was employed
as a farm hand in Perry for several years and in 1883 purchased an

BIOGRAPHICAL. 103

eighty-acre farm, which he cleared and improved and made his per-
manent home. For twenty years he owned this farm and but re-
cently retired, sold the homestead and went to live with his son,
Aslak. Seven children were born to Air. and Mrs. Ole Bohle, of
whom Alask is the oldest son. Alask was born in Ordahl, Norway,
October 22, 1861, attended school in Norway and continued his edu-
cation in the district school of Perry near his home. At the age of
twenty years Aslak left his father's home and purchased a piece of
land in the town of Perry, one hundred and nineteen acres in extent,
which is his present home. To this twenty-one and one-half acres
more were added and the whole farm improved and converted into
a profitable and valuable property, on which Mr. Bohle carries on a
general farming business. In August, 1886, he married Miss Mila
Anderson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. (Milam) Anderson, residents
of Iowa. Of the twelve children who blessed the marriage, but
eight are living, all with their parents. In order of their ages, they
are : Inda, Oliva, Amanda, Albert Edwin. Anna Amanda, Otto
(deceased), Carol. Matilda (deceased), Melvin, twins who died in
infancy and Thea. Mrs. Anderson was one of a large family, at-
tended school in Norway and came to America with her parents
when a young girl. She and her husband preserve their associa-
tion with the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Bohle is a member
of the Republican party although not an active politician.

Hon. Hans Borchsenius, retired, who makes his home at 717 Lang-
don street, Madison, was born at Nestved, Island of Seeland, Den-
mark, September 19, 1832. His parents, Carl W. and Elizabeth D.
(Arneson) Borchsenius, never came to the United States, the father
remaining in the mercantile business in Denmark until his death.
Hans Borchsenius received his educational training at the academy
in Nestved and in 1856 sailed for the New World. After two months
in New York, he arrived in July of the same year, at the Badger capi-
tal. In his native land he had been in the same business as his father,
and after coming here had a hard struggle for a time to maintain
himself, the difficulties of a new language and the other trials which
a new citizen has to meet being hard to master. He was willing,
however, and soon found opportunities to make a livelihood, doing
any honorable work that came his way. For several months he
drove the mail stage between Madison and Portage. He felt, how-
ever, that the best means of accomplishing his object was to learn a
trade, so he served an apprenticeship on the Norwegian American, a
Democratic publication, and soon afterward was enabled to purchase
the controlling interest in it, changing its name to the North Star.

104 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Through his publication he naturally became interested in politics
and in 1858 was the candidate of the Democratic party for county
clerk, being defeated by a small majority. Gen. Lucius Fairchild
and Justice S. U. Pinney, both of whom later became famous in
the annals of this commonwealth, were on the same ticket and were
both defeated. In 1861 Mr. Borchsenius entered the army as adju-
tant of the Fifteenth Wisconsin Infantry, but owing to severe illness
he was compelled to resign before the cessation of hostilities. Be-
fore entering the army he changed his allegiance from the Demo-
cratic to the Republican party. After he returned from the war
Governor Lewis, who was then secretary of state, appointed him to
clerkship in his office, from which he was transferred to the state
land department where he served for five years. He was then
elected county clerk of Dane county and served as such four years.
He was then appointed United States gauger and served one year.
When Ludington ran for governor Mr. Borchsenius published a
campaign paper called "The Wisconsin Banner", which was instru-
mental in electing the governor and secretary of state on the Repub-
lican ticket. The governor then appointed Mr. Borchsenius tim-
ber agent for the state to protect the railroad lands on the Chippewa
and Red Cedar rivers. While serving in this capacity he became
interested in northern Wisconsin and in 1877 he removed to Bald-
win. Wis., to engage in the real estate and loan business. While
residing in Baldwin, he was twice elected president of the village.
He was also a member of the county board and was elected chair-
man of the same. In 1891 President Harrison appointed Mr. Borch-
senius chief of the internal revenue division in the treasury depart-
ment, Washington, D. C, in which capacity he served until Cleve-
land was elected. In 1896 Mr. Borchsenius was elected a member
of the legislature from St. Croix county intending that this should
be his last political office. At the end of his legislative term Mr.
Borchsenius retired from active life and returned to Madison to
live, building the home which he now occupies. In religious mat-
ters he is identified with the Lutheran church. On November 10,
1859, he married Miss Martha M. Bakke, born in Norway, a daugh-
ter of Hans E. Bakke, of Christiana. This union has been blessed
with three children — William Carl, of Baldwin ; Dora H., widow
of Emil Rasmussen, who now makes her home with her father;
and George Valdemar, late clerk of the United States court in
Alaska. Mrs. Rasmussen has a daughter Edith, who intends to
enter the University of Wisconsin in the fall of 1906.

Judge Arthur B. Braley was born at Parry, Wyoming county,

BIOGRAPHICAL. 105

N. Y., February 11. 1824, the only son of Rufus and Hepzee (Fos-
ter) Braley. Rufus Braley was a native of Adams, Mass., and one
of the early settlers of western New York ; Hepzee Braley was the
daughter of Daniel Foster, a soldier in the Revolution, who fought
at the battle of Monmouth church ; she was a Quaker and lived
and died in that faith, her pure life aiding materially in the forma-
tion of her son's character. Arthur B. suffered the loss of his
father when only fifteen years old, and thrown on his own resources,
his opportunities for obtaining an education were very limited.
He went to live with a wealthy relative for a short time and while
in h's home found an opportunity to indulge his strong fondness
for the immortal bard of Avon, a fondness which lasted to the end
of his days, and rendered him in after life one of the most scholarly
critics of Shakespeare in Madison. In the spring of 1846 he emi-
grated to Wiscons'n, first settling at Delavan, where he completed
his law studies, and in 1848 was admitted to the bar in Madison.
He moved to Madison in 1852. In 1856, when Madison was in-
corporated as a city, he was elected first police justice, and held
that office for three successive terms of two years each. In 1864
he was elected a member of the Madison common council, serving
for three years. During the presidential campaign of 1864, he was
in editorial charge of the "Wisconsin Daily Patriot," and, on the
close of the campa'gn, returned to the practice of his profession.
In the spring of 1868 he was elected city attorney of Madison, and
during the presidential campaign of this year again took up edi-
torial work as chief political editor of the "Madison Daily Demo-
crat." In the spring of 1869 he moved to the village of Waukesha,
Wis., where he remained until the fall of 1870. He then returned
to Madison, and in the spring of 1872 was re-elected police jus-
tice, without opposition. The legislature created the municipal
court for the city of Madison and county of Dane in 1873, and
Judge Braley was elected, without opposition, its first judge in
1874, for a term of six years. He was re-elected in 1880 and again
in 1886. Meanwhile the criminal jurisdiction of the court was
much enlarged in 1875 and made concurrent with that of the cir-
cuit court in all crimes except that of murder, and it now became
a court of record.

Judge Braley was strictly honest in the discharge of his official
dut'es, and those who knew him best say that, if he erred, it was
from error of judgment as he had the highest regard for the duties
of his office. He was a man of fine literary attainments, and his
character sketches of the great poet Shakespeare are especially ad-

106 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

mired. Mr. Braley was married February 11, 1855, at Madison, to
Miss Philida Stevens; none of their three children survived, and
Mrs. Braley died in 1879. In 1880 he was again maried, to
Alta E. Jordan, of Allegany county, N. Y., and one son, A. Burton
Braley, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, was born to
them. Judge Braley died while serving his third term as muni-
cipal judge, January 31, 1889.

Prof. Thomas H. Brand, head of the Voice Building and Voice
Culture Institute of Madison, was born in New York city, May 16,
1836. He is a son, and only survivor of three children, of Enoch
Francis and Catherine ( Mahabe ) Brand, the former a native of
England and the latter of Toulon, France. A' sister, Kittie, (Mrs.
J. B. Merrill,) and her four children were burned to death in the
Kenosha hotel fire of 1871. Prof. Brand received his preliminary
education in New York, and was graduated from the Bacon school
in Cincinnati, Ohio. He also attended Lawrence University at Ap-
pleton. Wis., and was for a time a student in the University of
Wisconsin, having been a classmate of the Hon. Wr. F. Vilas at
the latter institution. Upon the completion of h's studies he went
into the office of Dr. Galan Rood of Stevens Point, Wis. For a time
he engaged in the practice of medicine, but the work was not pleas-
ing and he went into voice building. In 1860 he accepted a posi-
tion as instructor in the Northwestern Military college of Fulton,
111. In this institution he lectured on political economy, general
business and taught French for two years and at the same time
was associated with the Lyons (Iowa) Female College. For the
two years following he was deputy revenue collector for the fifth
district of Iowa, having headquarters at Des Moines. In 1867 he
came to Madison, his mother and sister having already located here.
He immed'ately opened a conservatory of music, had charge of the
music in St. Raphael's, the Congregational and the Baptist
churches. He was also at the head of the music department of the
city schools and had special classes in the University of Wisconsin.
Some t'me later Prof. Brand was asked to take charge of the gen-
eral outside business of the Redpath Lyceum bureau, and for
twenty-three years he served in this capacity, severing his con-
nection with the company in 1900. This work took him to prac-
tically every country of the world and he has visited at different
times England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Belgium, France, Austro-
Hungary. Russia. Poland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark. He
has managed the lecturing tours of Matthew Arnold, Cannon
Farrer, Justin McCarthy, R. A. Proctor, the astronomer, Robert J.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 107

Burdette, George D. Wendling, and Robert Mclntyre ; was for eight
years special manager for T. De WittTalmadge, and for five years
served in the same capacity for John B. Gough. Since 1900 he has
"been in Madison conducting, with eminent success, a voice build-
ing institute. He has had many noted pupils, among them Hon.
Robert M. La Follette, Hon. Emil Baensch, Judge Anthony Dono-
van and Hon. T. C. Richmond. Prof. Brand was married in 1866 to
Martha E., daughter of Asa Goodrich of New York, and to this
union have been born three children — Clarence I., the eldest —
familiarly known as "Cad" Brand, and famous as the cartoonist of
the Milwaukee Sentinel, — married Miss Ada Van Dusen of South
Madison, and has one child, Clarence Van Dusen Brand. The sec-
ond child, Kittie, is the wife of George E. Sullivan of Stillwater,
Minn., and the mother of three children, — Catherine, Daniel and
Goodrich. The youngest daughter, Bessie G., is the secretary of
the University School of Music. Mrs. Brand is a member of the
School of Music faculty, instructing in mandolin, guitar and banjo.
For ten years she was at the head of the department of music of
the city schools, and for twelve years was a member of the Con-
gregational cho'r, of which church both she and her husband are
members. Prof. Brand is also a member of the Blue Lodge, Free
and Accepted Masons. He is a man of broad culture, exceedingly
"well read, combining with rare good judgment an intellectual force
seldom met with. A man of fine physique, his dignified carriage
marks him as the embodiment of moral power. He has a keen
insight into men and events, and into the motives which govern
them. Genial, courteous, kindly, one who knows him does not
wonder that he was picked from among hundreds of others for
positions of trust and honor.

Selwyn Augustus Brant was born August 19, 1857, in Decatur
county, Iowa, and is the son of Charles Alexander and Armina
(Ensign) Brant. The parents moved to LaGrange, Ind., in 1863,
where the mother died Sept. 4, 1866. Selwyn A. was reared at La
Grange and educated in the public schools of that town. Since
1883 he has been engaged in publishing books and in 1887 came to
Madison. He was married, May 29, 1889, to Anna Katherine,
daughter of William and Katherine Alice (Dreher) Swint, of Boon-
ville, Ind. Mrs. Brant was born Dec. 2, 1868 in Louisville, Ky..
and was educated. at the convent of Saint Mary's of the Woods,
near Terre Haute, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Brant have four children :
Charles William, born January 31, 1893; Selwyn Augustus. Jr.,

108 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

born March 24, 1805 ; Paul Swint, born March 10. 1001 ; Swint En-
sign, born June 14, 1003.

George H. Breitenbach, of the firm of George C. Breitenbach &
Son, is a familiar figure in Madison business circles. The success-
ful firm of merchants has borne its present name since 1800 and
does a large retail business. George C. Breitenbach, father of
George H. has lived in Madison since 1850. With his father, also
George, he came from his native Bavaria in 1846, when he was
three years old, and lived for four years near Rochester, N. Y.
George C. was a wagon-maker and after his arrival in Madison- in
1850. worked at his trade and was for some time employed by the
Fuller & Johnson Co. as foreman in the wood department. In
1800 he engaged in the grocery business in the 800 block on Will-
iamson street and carried on that business until his death in 1004.
Mr. and Mrs. Breitenbach have always been devoted members of
the Church of the Holy Redeemer and Mr. Breitenbach was a char-
ter member of St. Michael's Society of that church. Thirteen
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Breitenbach. George H. is the
oldest son and manager of the grocery store at 851-53 Williamson
street. John P. and Julius, managers of the shoe business of Brei-
tenbach Bros., South Pinckney St., Anna T. is Mrs. J. E. Dengel
and lives on Jenifer St., Madison. Amelia and Bertha live with
their mother. Edward W. is a member of a theatrical company.
Agnes is stenographer for Murphy & Kroncke, Madison. Otto
works in the store. Mabel is a teacher of music. Louisa and Vera
and Elizabeth reside with their mother at the old home. George H.
was born in Madison, February 23. 1868, attended the Madison
public schools and learned the book-binder's art with Grimm Bros.
He was also engaged in the same work for a time in Chicago and
in the United States printing offices at Washington, D. C, but re-
turned to Madison to engage in his present business in 1800. Oc-
tober 18, 1808, he married Miss Bertha Mayer, daughter of Casper
Mayer and sister of Mrs. Stephen Baas. Mr. Breitenbach takes an
active interest in politics, has served on the county board and is a
member of the Democratic party. With his wife he attends the
Church of the Holy Redeemer and is a prominent member of St.
Michael's Society. He is a member and officer of the B. P. O. E.
of Mad' son and takes an active interest in the affairs of the order.

John P. Breitenbach, of the firm of Breitenbach Bros., was born
in Madison. Aug. 3, 1868. His parents were George C. and Eliza-
beth (Kremer) Breitenbach, both natives of Germany, the father
having been born in the village of Breitenbach, named after this

BIOGRAPHICAL. 109

family. The mother was born in Luxembourg. George C. Breit-
enbach was born Aug. 2, 1843, and left his native land with his
parents when but three years of age. The family lived for short
periods in New York and Milwaukee and arrived in Madison, May
2, 1850. George Breitenbach had one brother, Henry, and three
s'sters, Margaret, Mrs. John Dickert of Madison ; Mary, Mrs.
Joseph Splonskowski of Marion, S. D. ; and Teresa, who lives with
her brother. The marriage of George Breitenbach and his wife,
Elizabeth, took place in 1865, and to them were born fourteen
children : George H., — one of the firm of Breitenbach & Son, groc-
ers, of Madison, — who married Bertha Mayer; John Peter, the
subject of this sketch; Ann T., Mrs. John Dengel, resides in Madi-
son, and is the mother of two children, Irene and Philip; Julius
Herman, member of the firm of Breitenbach Bros., married Mary
Edgar and has three children, Janet Mary, William Edgar and
George Charles ; Amelia C., Bertha M., and Elizabeth, living in
Madison ; Edward M., lives in Chicago, where he is stage manager
of one of the theaters; Agnes, a stenographer; Otto C, a clerk in
the store of Breitenbach Bros. ; Mabel, teacher of music in Madi-
son; Lou'se and Vera in the public schools. Frank, a twin of
Bertha, died in 1881 at the age of four years. John P. received his
education in the public and parochial schools of Madison. After
completing his school work he was employed in a bank, serving
as bookkeeper some fourteen years. In 1897 he entered the boot
and shoe business in the firm of Breitenbach Bros. In 1901 and
1902 he served as alderman from the sixth ward of the city, and
for the same time was the council's representative on the school
board. On June 22, 1893, he married Matilda, daughter of Herman
and Marie (Krueger) Schubring, of Sauk City. Wis. Mr. and Mrs.
Schubring now make their home in Madison. Mr. and Mrs.
Breitenbach have four children, — Arthur August, Lillian Gertrude,
Robert Eugene and Florence Louise. Both Mr. Breitenbach and
his wife are members of the Holy Redeemer Catholic church, and
he is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, of the Woodmen
of the World and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks,
of which latter organization he is the secretary. Mr. Breitenbach
is a man of fine physique, unlimited good humor and an excellent
example of the successful business man. He owns and lives in a
fine residence in the sixth ward.

Samuel D. Brickson, a substantial farmer of the town of Pleasant
Springs, was born in the town of Rutland, Dane county, December
5, 1867. He is a son of Daniel and Annie (Berge) Brickson. natives

110 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

of Sorgen, Norway, where the father was a fiisherman and farmer.
On coming to Amer'ca, Daniel Brickson settled first in Cottage
Grove. Then he bought a small farm in Rutland and later sold
it and located about half a mile east of Stoughton. Then he re-
moved again to a farm of sixty-seven acres in Cottage Grove town-
ship, where he remained for twenty-two years. Daniel Brickson
was always a farmer. He died March 7, 1902, and his wife passed
away in 1892. He always voted the Republican ticket and was
active in the work of the Lutheran church, of which he was a mem-
ber. Seven children were born to him and his wife. They are
Brick, of Stoughton, Wis. ; Belle, wife of Hans Wolf of Hartland,.
Minn. ; Nels, a farmer near Janesville, Wis. ; Ole, who is farming
the old place near Cottage Grove ; John, employed in a packing
house in Lincoln, Neb. ; Samuel D. ; and Albert, engaged in the in-
surance business in Deerfield, Wis. Samuel D. Brickson received
his education in the district schools of the vicinity, had the benefit
of two terms in Albion Academy and one term in the Stoughton
schools. Until he was twenty-four years old he lived at home,,
and then he started farming "on his own hook." In 1897 he
bought what was known as the Alma place of one hundred and ten
acres in Pleasant Springs and later added sixty acres to it. He has
made many improvements on the place, chief among which is the
fine residence built in 1901. Politically he is a Republican and as
such has served as school clerk for five years, and as road overseer.
He is a regular attendant and member of Christ Lutheran church
of Stoughton. On April 12, 1891, he married Cora, daughter of
Iver and Adeline (Alderman) Anderson, of Pleasant Springs. This
union has been blessed with seven children, Derby, Iver. Aves,
Silas. Arthur, Walter, and Howard. The four eldest children at-
tend the district school. By his energy and good judgment Mr.
Brickson has risen to a place of influence in the community.

Stanley Jerome Briggs, "M. D., one of the able and popular physi-
cians and surgeons of the younger generation in Dane county, is
successfully established in the practice of his profession in Sun
Prairie. He was born at Dodgeville, Iowa county, Wisconsin,
October 11, 1877, and is a son of Melanthon J. and Eliza Jane (Ed-
wards) Briggs, the former of whom was born in Kalamazoo, Mich-
igan, March 31, 1846, and the latter in Dodgeville, Wisconsin.
March 27, 1849. Isaac U. Briggs, grandfather of the doctor, was
born and reared in the state of Vermont, and became one of the
pioneers of Michigan, while he passed the closing days of his life
in Mazomanie, Dane county, Wisconsin. His wife, whose maiden

BIOGRAPHICAL. HI

name was Salome Hickox, was a native of Canandaigua, Xew York,
and she died in Rockford, Illinois. The maternal grandfather of
Dr. Briggs was William Edwards, a native of Wales, whence he
came to America when young; he was one of the argonauts who*
went to California in search of gold, and he died in that state, in
1860, while his wife, whose maiden name was Esther Davis and
who was a native of Staffordshire, England, was a resident of
Dodgeville, Wisconsin, at the time of her death. Melanthon J.
Briggs secured his early educational training in the schools of
Mazomanie, Wisconsin, after which he studied law under the pre-
ceptorship of Asa M. Eastland, of Richland Center, this state, being
admitted to the bar in 1871. He was thereafter engaged in the
practice of his profess'on for a number of years in Dodgeville,
Wisconsin , becoming one of the representative members of the bar
of the state. He and his wife, the latter now deceased, resided in
the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvan'a, where he is engaged in the
work of his profession. He is a stanch adherent of the Democratic-
party and was prominent in public affairs in Iowa county, Wis-
cons'n, for many years. He served as district atttorney, repre-
sented the county in the state legislature and was the candidate of
his party for the office of attorney general of the state, being de-
feated by normal political exigencies. He served about two years
as postmaster at Dodgeville. January 23, 1862, he enlisted in Com-
pany H, Seventeenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, being made-
sergeant of his company, and served two years as color bearer,,
while he took part in seventeen important engagements, continu-
ing in the ranks of the brave "boys in blue" until the Union arms-
were crowned with victory. February 23, 1865, he was promoted'
to the office of second l'eutenant and transferred to Company A,
Forty-eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, with which he served
until the close of the war. His father served as a major in the
war of 1812. Dr. Stanley J. Briggs completed the curriculum of
the Dodgeville high school, after which he was for two years a
student in the literary department of the University of Chicago,
also taking a course of lectures in the medical department of that
institution, while in 1900 he was graduated from Rush Medical Col-
lege, Chicago, one of the most celebrated medical schools of the
west, duly receving his degree of Doctor of Medicine. After the
graduation he passed two years in most profitable work as interne
in Cook County Hospital, in the western metropolis, and he then
became house physician at the Wisconsin Hospital for the Insane
at Mendota, where he served until December, 1901, when he lo-

112 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

cated in Sun Prairie. There he has built up a very successful gen-
eral practice, and he enjoys the esteem of his professional confreres,
being a close observer of the unwritten code of ethics, and also
enjoys marked popularity in social circles. He is a member of the
American Aledical Association, the Wisconsin Medical Society,
and the Dane County Medical Society, and is affiliated with the
Modern Woodmen of America and the Equitable Fraternal Union.
In polit'cs Dr. Briggs maintains an independent attitude.

The military history of the direct ancestors of Dr. Briggs is re-
markable. Beside the service of his father in the Civil War and
that of his grandfather in the War of 1812, already noted, his great
grandfather served in the Revolution and his great great-grand-
father in the French and Indian War.

Charles Ilsley Brigham is a descendant of the family that gave
to Dane county its first permanent settler, and the place where
he now resides is near the location made historical by his great-
uncle, Ebenezer Brigham, as the spot on which the first house was
erected to shelter a white man in what is now the important county
of Dane. David Brigham, a brother of Ebenezer and the grand-
father of the subject of thns review, was also a very early resident
of this section of the Badger state. He was born in Worcester
county, Mass., August 15, 1786, and came to Wisconsin in 1839.
He was a lawyer by profession, having been graduated from Har-
vard University in 1810, after which he was a tutor in Bowdoin
College, and subsequently read law. In 1818 he became estab-
lished in the practice of his profession at Greenfield, Mass., where
he married his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Franklin
Ripley. David Brigham and wife removed to the embryo capital
of Wisconsin in 1839 and he continued in the practice of his pro-
fession there until his death four years later, the exact date of his
demise being August 16, 1843, being at that time the senior mem-
ber of the Madison bar, as well as an officer and leading member
of the Congregational church. His wife survived him many years
and died in Madison at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. H. G.
Bliss, November 3, 1879, in the eighty-seventh year of her age.
Ebenezer Brigham, who had the honor of being the first permanent
settler in Dane county, was a younger brother of David and was
born on April 28, 1789. He came west in 1814, and in 1828 set-
tled at Blue Mounds (this region at that time being a part of the
teritory of Michigan), and he resided there until his death, accu-
mulating in the meantime a large tract of land. The parents of the
subject of this review were Jerome Ripley Brigham and wife, the

BIOGRAPHICAL. 113

maiden name of the latter being Alary Noyse Ilsley. The father
was the son of David Brigham, before mentioned, and was born at
Fitchburg, Mass., July 21, 1825, and the mother was born at East-
port, Maine, June 8, 1838. The father came to Wisconsin with his
parents but soon thereafter returned to New England and entered
Amherst college, from which he was graduated in 1845. He was
a member of the Alpha Delta Phi (Greek letter) fraternity. After
his graduation he returned to Wisconsin and read law in Madison,
being admitted to the bar soon thereafter, and wa,s appointed the
first clerk of the supreme court. In 1851, he removed to Milwau-
kee and became a member of the firm of Wells & Brigham, the
firm name afterwards being changed to Wells, Brigham & Upham.
Mr. Brigham became prominent in his profession and also in pub-
lic affairs of a political nature. He served as city attorney of Mil-
waukee, regent of the University of Wisconsin, and was a member
of the legislature when the present charter of the city of Milwaukee
was granted, being chairman of the committee that framed the
same. He was also a member of the board of fire and police com-
missioners when the civil service system was inaugurated in Mil-
waukee, and he filled other positions of trust. He gave an un-
swerving allegiance to the principles of the Republican party and
contributed in all honorable ways to the furtherance of the- inter-
ests of that political organization. Mr. Brigham died in Milwau-
kee in 1897. His son, Charles Ilsley Brigham, whose name intro-
duces this memoir, was born in the city of Milwaukee in February,
1862, and is one of four children now living that were born to J.
Ripley Brigham and wife — the latter died on August 13, 1894. Of
these children Bessie married Charles W. Badgley and resides in
Denver: the next in order of birth is our subject; Mary Ripley re-
resides with Charles I., who is her only brother, and Katherine mar-
ried Dr. Philip R. Fox, a more extended mention of whom is given
on another page of this volume. Charles I. Brigham was reared in
Milwaukee and there received his preliminary education in the
public schools and at private institutions. He was graduated from
the Milwaukee high school in 1881. and in the autumn of the same
year entered the University of Wisconsin, from which institution
he was graduated with the class of 1885. He then taught school
for a time, after which he spent one winter on a ranch in Colorado.
In 1888 he took charge of the farm where he now resides, one mile
east of Blue Mounds and four miles west of Mt. Horeb, the place
comprising about eight hundred acres of fine land, and there he
carries on an extensive dairy business, which is his principal occu-
8— iii

114 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

pation. His farm is the largest division of land in the town of
Blue Mounds. Although a Republican in his party affiliations, he
is inclined to be independent in his views, and his worth as a citi-
zen has been recognized by election to the position of chairman of
the town board.

John Q. Brigham, of Madison, comes of English stock who set-
tled in America before the Revolution, and his grandfather took
part in that memorable struggle. His name was Stephen Brigham,
and that of his wife Sarah Harrington, both natives of Massachu-
setts. He d'ed in Oneida county, N. Y., in 1848, aged ninety-six
years, his wife having passed away some years before. His par-
ents were Stephen Brigham, Sr.. born in Massachusetts, in 1783
and Elizabeth (Stevens) Brigham. born in Oneida county, N. Y.,
in 1803. Stephen Brigham, Jr., went to Oneida county with his
parents when a child, and lived there until his death in 1850. His
wife died in 1870; they had seven children, Eleanor; Richard H. L. ;
George W. ; Marian C. ; Sarah M. ; Emma O. ; John Q. ; the sub-
ject of this sketch. Mr. Brigham was a farmer and surveyor, a
Whig, and the family was connected with the Presbyterian church.
He took part in the war of 1813. The maternal grandparents were
of English birth, and settled in Oneida county, N. Y., where both
died. John Q. Brigham received his education in Oneida county,
first in the common schools, afterward in Aurora and Vernon
Academies. He began life as a farmer of Oneida county, and at
the age of twenty-six, — he was born March 7, 1848. — came to
Burk, and located on one hundred and sixteen acres of land, from
which he afterward sold a small tract of ten acres. He is a breeder
of Holstein cattle and raises tobacco and sugar beets. Mr. Brigham
is a Republican and has held a number of elective offices ; he was
county treasurer for four years, chairman of Burk for two years and
clerk of the town for two years. He is an attendant of the Baptist
church of the city of Madison. He was married, January 15, 1876,
to Miss Mary T. Carpenter, a native of Vernon township. One' da
county, N. Y.. daughter of Orson and Harriet (Tilden) Carpenter,
both natives of New York, and who died in Oneida county of that
state; Mrs. Brigham was one of a family of three sons and two
daughters, of whom one son and both daughters arc living. To
Mr. John Q. Brigham and his wife have been born five children,
Zayda B. ; John C. who died in infancy; Electa S. ; Stephen O. ;
Horatio M.

Frederick W. Brinkhoff is one of those worthy citizens of Ger-
man birth who have contributed so materially to the development

BIOGRAPHICAL. 115

and stable prosperity of Dane county, and he is now numbered
among the representative farmers of Cottage Grove township,
where he owns a fine landed estate of two hundred acres, in sec-
tion 21. Mr. Brinkhoff was born in Germany, March 14, 1845, and
is a son of Henry H. and Anna Catherine (Bode) Brinkhoff, both
of whom were born and reared in Germany. The father was born
in 1804 and died in 1887 ; the mother was born in 1805, and died in
1880. They came to America in 1865, and passed the closing years
of their lives in Dane county, honored by all who knew them.
Fredrick W. Brinkhoff was reared and educated in his native
land, whence he accompanied his parents to America, arriving in
New York city. September 24, 1865, and being twenty years of
age at the time. The family remained in New York city one year
and then came to Wisconsin and located in Sun Prairie township,
Dane county. Here the subject of this sketch was employed in
various labors for two years, after which he purchased a team and
began working land on shares, thus continuing for one year. He
then received nine hundred dollars from his parents and applied
this sum to the purchase of his present fine farm, where he has ever
since maintained his home, developing the place into one of the
best farm properties of this part of the county. When he secured
the land only a small portion of the same was cleared, while the
improvements were of a very insignificant order. Years of earnest
toil and endeavor have brought their due reward, and in surveying
his attractive and productive estate today Mr. Brinkhoff may well
feel that the deprivations and vicissitudes of the early days were
not endured in vain. Mr. Brinkhoff has purchased lots in the at-
tractive village of Cottage Grove, and he looks forward to taking
up his residence there when he finally retires from active service,
which time is in the remote future, for he retains his energies and
ambition unimpaired and is best satisfied when on active duty in
c'onnect'on with the supervision of his farm. He is a stanch ad-
vocate of the principles of the Prohibition party and both he and
his wife are members of the Evangelical church. He was for two
years a member of the township board of supervisors, and was for
a number of years a member of the school board. In April, 1864,
Mr. Brinkhoff was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Wessellner.
who was born May 9. 1843, being a daughter of Frederick and
Margaret (Aspelmeier) Wessellner, both natives of Germany. In
conclusion is entered a brief record concerning the children of Mr.
and Mrs. Brinkhoff: Henry John, born July 21, 1865, is now a
member of the firm of Wiedenbeck, Dobelin & Company, black-

116 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

smith and wagon supplies, Madison; Louisa May, born January 3,
1866, became the wife of August Steffen, and her death occurred
January 3, 1895 ; Carrie Wilhelmina, born October 3, 1868, is mar-
ried and resides in Madison ; Frederick William, born December 18,
1871, died July 21, 1898; William Herman, born February 3, 1874,
resides in the city of Madison; Emma Augusta was born June 17,
1876, and died July 5, 1896 ; Samuel Herbert was born July 26, 1878,
and died June 3, 1897 ; Ella Amanda, born September 5, 1880, died
January 3, 1886 ; Clara Gertrude was born March 31, 1884, and Mil-
ton Ellsworth, June 28, 1886.

Thomas Evans Brittingham, of Madison, was born in Hannibal,
Mo., May 18, 1860, and is the son of Dr. Irvin Baird and Mary J.
(League) Brittingham, the latter of whom is deceased. Thomas E.
attended Hannibal college. In 1880 he moved to Clear Creek
Gulch, Chaffee county, Col., and afterward to Lake county, Cal.,
in both of which states he followed the mercantile business. He
located in Merrill, Wis., in 1885, and came to Madison in Decem-
ber, 1888, having been engaged in the lumber trade since coming
to this state. At Portland, Jefferson county, Wis., on December 5,
1889, he was married to Miss Mary Lucy Clark, a graduate of the
Un'versity of Wisconsin, born December 5, 1868, a daughter of
James Adams and Mary (Hughes) Clark. Mr. and Mrs. Britting-
ham are the parents of three children : Margaret, born May 19,
1892; Harold Hixon, born March 21, 1894; and Thomas Evans, Jr.,
born March 2, 1899.

Andrew S. Brown, senior member of the firm of Brown Bros.,
livery, is a native of Dane county. He was born in the town of
Verona, April 3, 1855, of good Scotch stock. His father was Alex-
ander Brown, born in Fifeshire, Scotland, who learned the trade
of ropemaker in the land of his nativity. In 1843 he sailed for the
United States and after a stormy passage of eleven weeks he
landed in New York. His relatives learned of the storm which
had overtaken the vessel and had given up all hope of ever hearing
of him again. His arrival was late in the evening and his worldly
possessions consisted of a ten cent piece and the clothes on his
back. He made the acquaintance of another Scotchman, William
Brown, who secured him a position in a rope factory, and at seven
the morning after his arrival he reported for work. This factory
furnished him employment for seven years, six years of which he
was its foreman. By the end of the first year he had saved enough
money to have his wife and two children come over, the passage
taking seven weeks. In 1850, a number of Scotch families in the

BIOGRAPHICAL. 117

east banded together and came west, forming a colony which set-
tled in Verona, and Alexander Brown and his family came with
them. Several hundred acres of land were entered by Mr. Brown
and deeded by him to the colonists. For the first time in his life
he undertook farming, but with characteristic energy he took hold
and made a success of it, living and managing one hundred and
eighty-seven acres until his death, a result of appendicitis, on De-
cember 14, 1882. In the early days the only market for his wheat
was in Milwaukee, and he would make yearly trips with it. It is
related of him that he would often walk three miles to the woods,
cut one hundred fence rails, and return in the evening apparently
unfatigued. He was a devout Presbyterian and a great Bible stu-
dent, and was exceedingly well read and always spent his evenings
in study, mathematics being his favorite diversion. His wife Mar-
garet (Smith) Brown, was a native of the same shire in Scotland
Although nearly eighty-eight years of age she is wonderfully well
preserved in mind and body. She makes her home with her young-
est daughter in the town of Fitchburg. Andrew S. Brown is one
of eleven children, two of whom, twins, died in infancy. The other
children were Jeanette, died soon after the family's arrival in this
country; William, farming 1,200 acres in Mower county, Minn.;
Anna, wife of James Leslie, a Brownsdale, Minn., farmer; Ellen,
wife of James Henderson, a retired farmer of Verona; Agnes, wife
of James Eddy, a retired farmer of Verona ; Elizabeth, wife of
John Lemont, a coal operator in the British possessions near Wash-
ington ; Myron, in business with his brother, married Sarah
Donkle, by whom he has four children, — Leslie, Mabel, Jennie, and
Alexander ; and Emma, Mrs. Floyd Mutchler in the town of Fitch-
burg. Andrew S. Brown received his education in the schools of
Verona, and then worked on Jiis father's farm until he was eighteen
years of age. For seven years he was a salesman for Lamont &
Roach in the hardware and machinery business ; four years were
spent with the Fuller & Johnson Company and eleven years with
S. L. Sheldon in the farm implement business. In the fall of 1892
he was elected sheriff of Dane county on the Democratic ticket, and
no Democrat since that time has filed the office. During his term of
office he took forty-five men and one woman to the state peniten-
tiary. The two years following the incumbency of the sheriff's of-
fice were spent on the road for the Fuller & Johnson Company. In
January, 1897, Mr. Brown started his present business and has
carried it on with great success. His stock is valued at $10,000.

118 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

On November 13, 1877, he married Katherine M., daughter of John
and Agnes Mausbach, natives of Germany, and by this union has
three children, — Iva. married June 7, 1905, to Albert C. Wolfe, a
La Crosse attorney ; Edna Agnes, born Dec. 27, 1884, died Novem-
ber 3, 1893 ; and Margaret Alexander, in her second year in the
high school. Mr. Brown is a member of the Presbyterian church.
a Knight Templar Mason, a member of Monona Lodge, No. 12,
Knights of Pythias, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks, and of Ban)ran Camp, No. 365, Modern Woodmen of Amer-
ica.

Charles William Brown, deceased, was long and actively identi-
fied with the agricultural interests of the town of Fitchburg, and
deserves recognition among his confreres of that noble occupation.
He was born in Wheeling, W. Va., August 5, 1854, and was the
only son born to William Brown and his wife Elizabeth, who came
to Wisconsin and located in Dane county when the subject of this
review was a mere boy. A daughter, Mary Elizabeth, is the wife
of Thomas Seals and resides at Bridgeport, Ohio. The parents
established their home in the town of Fitchburg, and there
Charles W. Brown received his education in the district schools,
attending a few terms also in Rutland. When he had reached the
required age he began his independent career and worked as a
farm hand until after his marriage in 1876, and then removed to
Minnesota, where he farmed for two years. In 1878 he returned to
Fitchburg, and after renting a place for about two years moved to
the old parental homestead and resided there twelve years. He then
removed to the Kiser place in the same township, and after remain-
ing there two years moved to another farm, and a year later to an-
other in the same township, where he resided until his death, Novem-
ber 8, 1898. Mr. Brown was a Democrat in his political affiliations
and his religious faith was expressed by membership in the Cath-
olic church. He was married November 28, 1876, to Miss Mar-
garet Ann Connor, who is a native of Connecticut, born August 30,
1854. and the daughter of Patrick and Ann (Colager) Conner, both
of whom were also natives of the Nutmeg state. These parents
came to Wisconsin in 1855 and first located in the town of Rutland,
where they bought a farm and resided about fifteen years, after
which they moved to Oregon, where the father died in January,
1881, and the mother still resides. In the Connor family there
were seven children, of whom the wife of the subject of this re-
view is the eldest. The others are: Bridget, who married James
Brazee and resides in the town of Fitchburg; Thomas Peter, who

BIOGRAPHICAL. 119

resides in Oregon ; Mary Jane, who is the widow of William Emer-
son and resides in Madison ; Catherine, who is unmarried and lives
w!th her mother in Oregon ; John, who married Dorothy Hamm
and resides in Stoughton ; and Barney, who is deceased. After the
death of Mr. Brown his widow purchased a farm of eighty acres in
the town of Dunn, where she now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Brown
were the parents of ten children : James Riley married Catherine
Handle and resides in Madison ; William Patrick married Anna
Foster and resides with his mother; Mary Elva married Arthur J.
Grady and resides in Fitchburg; Anna Elizabeth is deceased; and
Charles Ambrose, John Danford, Catherine Arstina, Archie Paul.
Margaret Helen, and Joseph Lyle, reside at home.

John Brown, a farmer of the town of Dunn, was born in New
York city, June 21, 1840. He and a sister. Mary, deceased, were
the only children of Morris and Johannah (Berry) Brown, natives
of Ireland. John Brown came to Wisconsin with his parents in
1855 and located in the town of Dunn, where the father had pur-
chased forty acres. The farm was enlarged by the addition of
forty acres w'thin a few years, then of thirty acres more of an
adjoining farm, and in a few years by the purchase of the remainder
of the adjoining farm, making in all a place of two hundred and
thirty-five acres, part of which is on Lake Waubesa. By platting
and selling a part of his lake-shore lots, Mr. Brown has realized
qu'te a neat profit. John Brown always lived with his parents.
He had the management of the farm for some years before his
father's death, September 23, 1900, in his ninety-ninth year. His
mother died in 1878. In politics Mr. Brown is independent; in reli-
gious matters he is affiliated with the Catholic church. November
20, 1877, he maried Lucy, daughter of Patrick and Bridget (Geary)
Crane, residents of the town of Fitchburg. She was one of seven
children, six of whom are living, — Patrick, a real estate dealer of
Beloit; Lucy, wife of John Brown; William, dealer in coal and
wood in Madison ; Joseph, in the Klondike when last heard from ;
Andrew, traveling salesman for the Ohio Steel Range Company,
who makes his home in Beloit ; and Xora. wife of H. E. Hanan of
Oregon. The marriage of John and Lucy Brown has been blessed
with eight children, — Morris Patrick, born November 17, 1878;
Joseph Henry, born June 12. 1881 ; Nora Jane, born April 2, 1883 ;
John James, born February 22, 1885 ; David George. April 14, 1887 ;
Mary Lucy, October 18, 1891; Josephine Bridget. January 2, 1894;
and one child who died in infancy. Mr. Brown is a man much re-
spected by his neighbors.

120 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

John Brown, general merchant and postmaster at Riley, Dane
county, was born on section 11, town of Springdale, and is a son
of M'chael and Margaret (Lynch) Brown, the father being a native
of Kings County, Ireland, and the mother of near St. Lawrence,
N. Y. Michael Brown was born in 1823, and was a son of John
and Mary (Martin) Brown. He came to America in 1844, and lo-
cated in Westchester county, N. Y., where he remained one year
and then removed to Ohio. Later he returned to New York, and
then moved to Wisconsin in 1849, locating first at Fitchburg, in
Dane county. He afterward sold his place there and purchased
the farm where his son now resides in the town of Springdale, and
there followed farming the remainder of his active life, in later
years taking up his residence in the village of Mt. Horeb, where he
died, January 9, 1899, at the age of seventy-six years. His re-
ligious faith was manifested by a strong adherence to the Roman
Catholic church, and in politics he was conservative, voting for
those he considered the best men. For a number of years he was
treasurer of his school district, and he always took a deep interest
in public affa'rs, especially those of a local nature, but he never
sought office. He was a first-class farmer, an upright man in
every sense of the word, and one that could always be depended
upon. He was married to Miss Margaret Lynch in 1851, and she
still resides at the family home in the village of Mt. Horeb. They
were the parents of twelve children, eleven of whom are living:
Peter resides at Acme, Iowa; John is tbe subject of this review;
Patrick lives in Minnesota ; Joseph resides in Springdale ; Mary
married Samuel Farrell and resides in Cross Plains ; Ella married
Michael Hobbs and resides in the town of Oregon ; Margaret mar-
ried William Ryan and resides in Minnesota; Thomas is a photog-
rapher in Mt. Horeb ; James is a real estate dealer and resides in Mt.
Horeb ; and Theresa and Anna remain at home with their mother.
John Brown, whose name introduces this review, was reared on the
farm where he now resides and received his education in the pub-
lic schools. He commenced life as a farm boy, but changed his
occupation in 1882 and engaged in the business of buying and ship-
ping stock. One year later he engaged in the general mercantile
business at Riley and has conducted an up-to-date establishment
ever since, adding to his duties, for about eighteen years, the busi-
ness of buying grain. He was one of the promoters and is now
president of the Pine Bluff Telephone Company, which purchased
the Pine Bluff Central and was incorporated, September 27, 1904,
with a capital stock of $10,000. The company covers the territory

BIOGRAPHICAL. 121

from Riley to Mt. Horeb, Cross Plains, Middleton, Klevenville, and
serves farmers along the line. Mr. Brown is also the proprietor
of the Riley Creamery, and he is interested in real estate in the
northern part of Wisconsin. He was married on May 26, 1890, to
Ella M. Farrell, daughter of Richard Farrell, who was one of the
early settlers of Cross Plains, and he now resides with his danghter,
Mrs. Brown. Our subject and wife have one son, James. Mr.
Brown has served as postmaster at Riley for the past seventeen
years, and prior to his appointment as such was assistant postmas-
ter with full control of the office for a period of five years. One
rural mail route leaves the office at Riley and makes daily trips.
Our subject is a Republican in politics, and aside from the office
mentioned he has filled the position of justice of the peace and town
clerk. Fraternally he has membership in the Modern Woodmen
of America.

Herbert L. Brown, of Cottage Grove, is well known as a success-
ful stock dealer, and is a representative of one of the old and hon-
ored families of Dane county. His father, Orvin Brown, was born
in Monroe, Ashtabula county, Ohio, July 18, 1820, being a son of
Roswell Brown, who became a pioneer of Wisconsin. Roswell
Brown was born in Hillsdale, Columbia county, New York, Feb-
ruary 4, 1796, having been a son of Luther and Mary (Greene)
Brown, the former of whom was born in Scoharie county, New
York, and the latter near Newport, Rhode Island ; she was a daugh-
ter of Christopher Greene, who was a brother of the distinguished
General Nathaniel Greene, of Revolutionary fame. Christopher
Greene was twice married, both of his wives having been daughters,
of Governor Ward, one of the colonial governors of Rhode Island.
Christopher Green's father was a preacher of the society of Friends.
Roswell Brown, grandfather of the subject of this review, married
Lucretia Raymond, who was born in Hillsdale, Columbia county,
New York, November 17, 1799, being a daughter of Jacob and
Elizabeth (Webster) Raymond, the latter of whom was a relative
of Noah, Webster and Daniel Webster. Roswell Brown was a
cabinet maker by trade, and he followed work along this line for
many years, — in New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio. From Eagle-
ville, Ashtabula county, Ohio, he started with his family for Wis-
consin in 1841, making the trip overland with wagon and ox-team.
He related how much difficulty he encountered while passing
through what is now the city of Chicago, his wagon having stuck
in the mud of one of the principal streets of the town, and that so
deeply that he was compelled to secure aid in prying out the ve-

122 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

"h'cle. He made his way to his destination, in Dane county. Here
he secured one hundred and twenty acres of government land, the
tract being heavily timbered. He thus gained place among the
pioneer settlers of the county, his farm being located in Cottage
Grove township. He manufactured the first cheese ever made in
the county, pressing the same in its mold by placing it beneath the
weight of a corner of rail fence. He also manufactured butter-
workers, the same being practically the models of the present-day
butter workers known under the patents of Cornish, Curtis & Green.
He made no attempt to patent his device, and years later the firm
above mentioned took up practically the same idea, patented the
device and placed it on the market, where it has had a large sale.
Roswell Brown later secured more government land, eventually
becoming one of the extensive landholders of the county. He was
a soldier in the War of 1812, having served in New York city. His
life was one of signal usefulness and honor. He attained to the
age of eighty years, his death occurring August 29, 1866, in Cot-
tage Grove township. 'He was prominent and influential in local
affairs of a public nature in the pioneer days and was one of the
founders and builders of Dane county. A' fine oil portrait of this
•stanch pioneer is placed in the fine library of the Wisconsin State
Historical Society, in the city of Madison. His wife died, at
Springfield, Erie county. Pennsylvania, March 7, 1832. Following
is a brief record concerning the children of Roswell Brown. Orvin
was the father of the subject of this sketch ; Caroline, who became
the wife of Alexander Hammond, died in Cottage Grove township ;
Isaac died before the removal of the family to Wisconsin ; Mary
married Allen Harrs, of Cottage Grove township, and she now re-
sides in the. Black Hills district of South Dakota; Margaret died
prior to the removal of the family to Wisconsin. Orvin Brown
was twenty-one years of age at the time when he came to Dane
•county, and here he remained at the paternal home until his mar-
riage, which occurred April 21, 1847, at Sun Prairie, this county,
where he wedded Miss Clarinda A. Bailey. The marriage cere-
mony was performed by Rev. J. G. Kanouse, the pioneer Presby-
terian minister of the county and grandfather of Walter S. Ka-
nounse, the well known merchant of the village of Cottage Grove.
Mrs. Brown was born in Ticonderoga, Essex county, New York,
May 4, 1826. being a daughter of Samuel and Almira (Bisby)
Bailey, the former of whom was born in Connecticut and the latter
in New Brunswick, Canada. The family located in Dane county,
Wisconsin, in 1846. Samuel Bailey was a son of John and Asenath

BIOGRAPHICAL. 123

(Hopson) Bailey, both of whom were native of Connecticut and
the former of whom was lost at sea. After his marriage Orvin
Brown began farming on his own account. He purchased one
hundred and twenty acres of government land, in sections 8 and 17,
Cottage Grove township, adjoining his father's farm on the east,
and located one-half mile west of the present Cottage Grove sta-
tion. It should be noted that his father, Roswell Brown, for many
years conducted a general country store on his farm, and that his
house was also one of the early hotels, or taverns, of this part of the
county. Both the tavern and store were conducted on str'ctly
temperance principles, which could not be said of the average
pioneer establishments of the sort. Orvin Brown continued farm-
ing upon the old homestead until the death of his wife, in 1881,
when he removed to Sun Prairie, having disposed of the farm.
Following is a brief record concerning his children : Maria L.,
who was born February 22, 1849, married T. L. Heacker. after
whose death she became the wife of Otis Baker, who is also de-
ceased, his widow being now a resident of Sun Prairie ; Ida A.,
who was born December 15, 1850, is the wife of R. B. Gibbons,
postmaster at Cottage Grove ; Norman B., who was born October
2, 1854, and who married Alice Starks. is now a resident of Ells-
worth, Pierce county, Wisconsin ; Roswell E., who was born Janu-
ary 11, 1857, married lone Brant and they reside at White Lake,
South Dakota ; Samuel F., who was born March 24, 1858, and who
married Nettie Kelley. resides in the city of Madison, Wisconsin;
Stella C, who was born April 13, 1862, is deceased; Kittie G., who
was born May 31, 1864, is likewise deceased ; and Herbert L. is the
immediate subject of this sketch. The mother of these children
died October 28, 1881. She was a devoted member of the Baptist
church, have been baptized in the church of her native town,
Ticonderoga, New York, May 2, 1843, and from the same she se-
cured dismission by letter, May 2, 1846. She became an active
worker in the churches of this faith in Cottage Grove and Sun
Prairie, her death occurring in the former township. Orvin Brown
died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Gibbons, in Cottage Grove,
February 16, 1894. Herbert L. Brown, whose name initiates this
article, was born on the homestead farm, in Cottage Grove town-
ship, February 16, 1867, and after availing himself of the advan-
tages of the district schools he continued his studies in the Madison
Academy. He was fourteen years of age at the time of his moth-
er's death, after which he passed most of his time in the home of
his sister, Mrs. Gibbons, until his marriage, which occurred in 1890.

124 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

He then engaged in the buying and shipping of live stock, estab-
lishing his home and headquarters in the village of Cottage Grove.
Two years later he removed to the city of Madison, and for one
year he had the management of what is known as the Picnic Point
farm, on the shores of Lake Mendota. He then returned to Cot-
tage Grove and engaged in the general merchandise business, in
wh'ch he continued three years, at the expiration of which he sold
the store and resumed the stock business, in which he has since
continued with marked success. He is known as an enterprising
and reliable business man and public-spirited citizen, and is held
in high esteem in his native county. In politics he is a stanch
Republican, and he has served as township clerk and also as justice
of the peace. He is affiliated with the Woodmen of America and
both he and his wife are zealous members of the Presbyterian
church in Cottage Grove, in which he is an elder and was a mem-
ber of the building committee for the erection of the church. Octo-
ber 8, 1890, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Venice L.
North, daughter of William and Sarah (Slagg) North, both of
whom were born in England. They now reside in the village of
Cottage Grove, their daughter, Mrs. Brown, having been born in
the town of Albion, this county, June 6, 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Brown
have two sons, William H., who was born June 18, 1895, and Ros-
well Edward, born July 30, 1906.

Edmond James Browne, journalist, of Black Earth, comes of a
long line of New England patriots. Abraham Browne came with
his wife from Bury St. Edmunds. Suffolk, England, in 1630 and
became the first settler and surveyor of Watertown, Mass. The old
homestead there is still the abiding place of his descendants, who
from generation to generation have filled the various town offices.,
Jonathan Browne, born Aug. 24, 1724, was a captain in the battle
of Lake George and during the Revolutionary War was in the com-
m'ssary's department of the Continental army. Francis Browne
the date of whose birth was Nov. 16, 1755, was a soldier in the
Revolutionary War and saw service at Lexington, Bunker Hill and
many other engagements. Another Francis Browne, born Decem-
ber 4, 1786, was one of the earliest advocates of the abolition of
slavery. Guilford D. Browne, born at Acworth,N. H., August 8,
1828, was for twenty-eight years a member of the west Wisconsin
conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife was Mary
Elizabeth Fisher, born in Bath, Me., December 27, 1827. To this
union, on December 5. 1863, at Agawam, Mass., was born Edmond
James Browne, the subject of this sketch. Guilford D. Browne

BIOGRAPHICAL. 125

died January 5, 1898, and his wife passed away on March 3, of the
same year. After passing through the courses of the common
schools, E. J. Browne entered the printing business, his first labor,
in 1881, being that of an apprentice in the office of the Mondovi,
Wis., Herald. Since 1889 he has been continuously engaged in
the editing and publishing of weekly papers in the following places
in the state : Knapp, Dunn county ; Eleva, Trempealeau county ;
Prairie du Sac, Sauk county and Black Earth, Dane county. From
1893 to 1899 he edited the Sauk County News at Prairie du Sac and
in September, 1901, established the Black Earth Times. While in
Dunn and Trempealeau counties he was in partnership with a
brother. In politics he is identified with the Republican party and
his religious affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal church.
On May 12, 1891, Mr. Browne married Miss Hannah L. Jackson of
Eleva, daughter of John and El'zabeth (Little) Jackson. To this
union have been born the following children : Lillie Elizabeth,
February 16, 1892; Marshall Francis, September 14, 1893; Lottie
May, October 6, 1894 ; Nellie Josephine, September 24, 1895 ; Ma-
cinda Ann, October 21, 1897; Lizzie Amelia, August 24, 1900; and
Charles Dudley, February 26. 1904. Macinda died at Prairie du
Sac, February 13, 1899. Mr. Brown is identified with the Modern
Woodmen of America, and his wife a member of the Royal
Neighbors.

J. H. Brumm is one of Middleton's well-known merchants, who
was born in that village May 13, 1862, and has always made it his
home. Of German descent, his father, J. E. Brumm, was born in
Mecklenburg and his mother, Frederika Brumm, in Machtegeburg.
J. E. Brumm came to America with his parents when a boy and has
lived in Middleton since 1852. When twenty-two years old he
bought a forty acre farm of prairie land in section 30 and lived there
four years. He then bought another eighty acres in the same sec-
tion, selling the first and made this his home for many years, finally
selling it to his son William. He then bought a fine home in Mid-
dleton, where Mrs. Brumm resided until her death May 16. 1906,
aged sixty-four years and seven months, her husband having died
in 1901 at the age of sixty-one. J. H. Brumm was educated with
the other two sons in the Middleton grade and high school and
started for himself in the general merchandise business in 1888.
In 1890, a complete line of farm machinery was added to the stock
as well as pumps and windmills. In 1905 the J. J. Rosenmeyer
pickling factory was also purchased and the firm :s now Brumm
& Brumm. Mr. Brumm is a memeber of the Modern Woodmen

126 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

and the B. P. O. E. chapter at Madison. He is a Republican and a
trustee of the village of Middleton. October 6, 1885, he married
Miss C. Lubcke, daughter of J. H. and Mary Lubcke. of Middleton,
and they have a family of six children, who attend the Middleton
schools ; Wilbert, Fidelia, Gilsey, Anita, Birtie and Lorene. The
family attend the German Lutheran church.

August F. Brunkow, of the firm of Brunkow & Mueller, brew-
ers, of Pheasant Branch, was born at Doelitz, Germany. August 30,
1857. His father, William Brunkow, and his mother, Caroline
(Zabel) Brunkow, were both natives of Doelitz, where Mr. Brun-
kow was a laborer. They embarked for America in 1869 and lo-
cated in Pottawatomie county, Kansas, where they obtained three
hundred and sixty acres of farm land. This farm became their
permanent home, where they still reside. Ten children were born
to them : August F.. William, Minnie, Herman, Paulina, Ferdi-
nand, Matilda, Albert, Frank and Theresa. Mr. Brunkow, Sr., is
a Democrat but has never aspired for office. With his family he
belongs to the German Lutheran church. August F., the oldest
son, was sent to school in Germany and also in the country schools
in the neighborhood of the farm in Kansas. When he had attained
the age of nineteen years he commenced to learn the brewing in-
dustry at Kl'nkert's brewery in Racine, Wis. and remained there
seven years. Subsequently he was employed in the Best (now
Pabst) brewery of Milwaukee. In 1884 the Pheasant Branch brew-
ery was purchased by August Brunkow and his brother-in-law,
John G. Mueller, and together they thoroughly overhauled and re-
fitted it and put it in a most prosperous condition. The experience
of Mr. Brunkow in the well-managed companies of Racine and
Milwaukee proved invaluable and he and his partner have been
able to establish a most successful business. They built a new malt
house and put in a new thirty-five horse-power engine, etc., and
now find market for all they can produce in the surrounding village*
and towns. Mr. Brunkow is a Democrat in his political sympathies
but has never taken an active part in politics. He is one of the
trustees of the German Lutheran church at Middleton and secretary
of the board. He is deeply interested in the concerns of the church
and has done much to promote its welfare. In 1892, he married
Miss Louisa Mueller, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John C. Mueller and
they have two children, Pauline and Elenora, both of whom are
attending school.

Gen. Edwin Eustace Bryant was born in Milton, Franklin county,
Vermont, January 10, 1835. He was educated at academies and at

BIOGRAPHICAL. \2T

New Hampton Institute, Fairfax, Vermont, and then taught for five
years in common schools and academies, meanwhile pursuing" the
studies of languages and law. He came to Wisconsin in the spring
of 1857, locating at Janesville, where he was admitted to the bar the
same year. He commenced the practice of his profession at Mon-
roe, Wis., in the fall of 1857. In 1859 he purchased the Monroe
Sentinel, In connection with General Bintliff. He was married
June 29, 1859, to Louise S. Boynton. by whom he had four children,
— Elva L., Fronimay, Mertie and William Vilas. In the Civil
AVar he enlisted in June, 1861, as a private in Company C, Third
Wisconsin Infantry, but was promoted to the sergeant-major be-
fore leaving the state ; next served as lieutenant, and was made
adjutant of his regiment in 1862. In 186-1 was appointed by the
secretary of war as commissioner of enrollment for the third dis-
trict of Wisconsin, and in 1865 was commissioned lieutenant-colonel
of the Fiftieth Wisconsin Infantry, serving with that rank for a
year in Missouri, as judge advocate of courts martial and military
commissions. In 1868 he was appointed adjutant general of the
state and private secretary to Governor Fairchild. serving in those
capacities from 1868 to 1871 ; was the law partner of Sen. William F.
Vilas from 1872 to 1883 ; member of the assembly, 1878 ; assistant
attorney-general of the United States post office department, 1885—
89 ; dean of the college of law, University of Wisconsin, 1889-1904 ;
pres'dent of the state commissioners of fisheries, 1893-99 ; vice-
president of the state geological and natural history survey, 1897—
99. General Bryant was the author of numerous books on prac-
tice and pleading, military history and the postal service. He was
an accurate and forceful writer, and his law works are adopted as
the standard by the profession, as well as being used as text books
in various law schools. He died at his home in Madison, Aug-
ust 11, 1903.

Gen. George E. Bryant, one of the heroes of the Civil War, and
now superintendent of public property, was born at Templeton,
Worcester county, Massachusetts. February 11, 1832, son of
George W. and Eunice (Norcross) Bryant. His ancestors for sev-
eral generations resided in New England, the paternal branch being-
Irish, and the maternal, English. Representaitves of both branches
fought in the Revolutionary War. General Bryant's father was a
mechanic and farmer, in moderate circumstances, but gave his son
a good education, and after preparing for college in the Black River
Academy at Ludlow, Vt., young George took the full course at
Norwich Universitv, Vt., a military college, where Generals Dodge

128 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

and Ransom were classmates, and Admiral Dewey was a room-
mate. He then studied law in the office of Norcross & Snow, of
Fitchburg, Mass., and was admitted to the bar in 1856. He at once
came west and located in Madison, Wis., forming a partnership
with Hon. Myron H. Orton, which continued until the outbreak of
the Civil War. He had been elected alderman of the city of Madi-
son in 1861. He was captain of the Madison Guards, a volunteer
organization which had been formed in the winter of 1857-58. Its
services had been tendered to Governor Randall as early as Janu-
ary 9, 1861, and this tender was accepted by April 16, 1861, being
the first company accepted in Wisconsin for active service. It
was assigned as Company E of the First Wisconsin Volunteer In-
fantry and participated in the battle of Falling Waters. Mr. Bry-
ant served three months as captain of this company, and afterwards
three years as colonel of the Twelfth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.
From July 21, to November 4, 1864, he commanded the
First brigade, Third division of the Seventeenth army corps, — "a
brigade, which was never driven from a position, and never failed
to take one when ordered." When mustered out of serv'ce in
November, 1864, he was very ill, and in his own words, he "hardly
expected to reach Madison alive." He returned to his farm near
Madison and engaged in raising fine blooded stock. He is a well
known to breeders of horses and cattle, especially through his fre-
quent articles in the agricultural press upon the origin and worth
of the "Morgan" and "Clay Pilot" horses. He served twelve years
as judge of Dane county ; was state senator, 1875-76, and member
of the assembly, 1899-1900 ; in 1878 became secretary of the Wis-
consin state agricultural society, and served for five years; was a
delegate to the national Republican convention in 1880, where he
was one of the "306" who remained steadfast to General Grant ;
was quartermaster-general with the rank of brigadier-general for
s'x years, during the terms of Governors Ludington and Smith.
He has been a delegate to many state and other conventions, and
in the Republican state convention of 1890 nominated Gov. Win. D.
Hoard. He has been a member of the Republican state central
committee for many years, and for several years its chairman. In
1882 he was appointed postmaster of Madison by Prescient Arthur,
when he established the free-delivery system and raised the office
from the second to the first class ; he was appointed to the same
position under President Harrison. Since 1900 he has been state
superintendent of public property.

General P)ryant married Sus'e A. Gibson, a native of Fitchburg,

BIOGRAPHICAL. 129

Mass., September 27, 1858, and they are the parents of three chil-
dren: Hattie E., George E., and Frank H. As a citizen he com-
mands universal respect, as one who has been faithful to every
trust imposed,

Sivert Bryngelsen, a retired farmer of the village of McFarland,
was born in Alraen near Bergen, Norway, December 3, 1828. His
parents, Bryngel and Martha Bryngelsen, were both natives of
Norway. Five of the father's brothers were in the Swedish w*ar
and Sivert was named after one who lost his life in that contest.
In 1855 Sivert came to this country and though he claimed Mil-
waukee as his home from 1855 to 18G6, he spent most of the time
as a sailor on the lakes. At the end of that time he came to Dunn
township and located on his present place. Eighty-five acres of land
which he purchased bordered on Lake Waubesa. He has platted
his property and sold several lake-shore lots, realizing handsomely,
on his investment. Like so many of his fellow countrymen he be-
longs to the Republican party and the Lutheran church. In No-
vember, 1859, he married Martha, daughter of Elling Olson and
Anna (Sjure) Ellingson Boe Sogn, natives of Norway. Mrs.
Bryngelsen first saw the light of day in Norway on September 13.
1830 and received her education in the common schools of her na-
tive land. She and two sisters, Gertrude (Mrs. Nesbeth) and Anna
(Mrs. Anderson), both living in Minnesota, and a brother Ole. liv-
ing in the same place, are the only survivors of a family of nine.
To Sivert and Martha Bryngelsen have been born five children, —
Brown Marthin, December 30, 1860; Edward Olai, September 18,
1862 ; Anton Marthin. September 28, 1864, married, and employed
in a furniture factory in Evansville. Ind. ; Martha Barnelle Serene,
March 8. 1869 ; and Bernert Peter Johann, October 15, 1872, died
July 18, 18?7.

Sjur Sjurson Bue, a retired farmer of Deerfield. was born in Ber-
genst'ft, Norway, November 23, 1829. His parents were Sjur
Arnson and Ingebor Anderson, natives of the same stift. In 1850
Sjur came to Dane county. After two years of common labor he
grew restless and went to Australia. For three years he worked
in the gold mines around Melbourne, Victoria, and after getting his
stake he started for England and Norway. In 1857 he returned to
Wisconsin, married, bought one hundred and twenty acres of land
from lis father-in-law and settled down. Here he continued to
reside until 1903, when he sold all but a couple of acres, and retired.
In February, 1865, Mr. Bue enlisted in Company FI. Forty-ninth
Wisconsin Infantry. Nine months later the company was mus-
9— iii

130 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

tered out without having seen any actual service. He has repre-
sented his town on the town board several terms as a Republican ;
in religion he upholds the tenets of the Lutheran faith. In Novem-
ber, 1857, he married Martha, daughter of Andrew and Marthana
(Johonson) Enderson, natives of Norway. Mrs. Bue was born
October 6, 1838, and was educated in the common schools of Nor-
way and the Deerfield schools. Twelve children have blessed this
union, only two of whom are now living, — Ingebor Malene, born
October 11, 1858, now Mrs. Andrew Brictson of Deerfield, and
Sarah Mathena, born November 4, 1860, now Mrs. C. E. Vollin of
Jackson county, Wis. The other children were A'ndrew Sjur, born
January 18, 1865, died April 8, 1886 ; Emma Burthea, born Septem-
ber 12, 1867, d'ed November 3, 1878; John, born January 8, 1868,
died November 6, 1878 ; Thea Carena, born January 13, 1870, died
November 2, 1888 ; Arroen Marthena, born May 29, 1872, died April
11. 1892; Hannah Maria, born September 14, 1875, died in Novem-
ber, 1878 ; Albert Julius, born March 29, 1878, died in November,
1878 ; John Albert, born October 30, 1880 and died the same day ;
Hannah, born May 15, 1883, died July 15, 1883; and Charles Albert,
born June 2, 1884. died June 30, 1884. Mr. Bue has practically cir-
cled the globe and tells many interesting tales of his travels.

James Bull is now living retired in a pleasant home in Wingra
Park, after a varied career, the greater part of his act've life, how-
ever, having been devoted to the noble occupation of farming.
He was born in Derbyshire, England, on December 3, 1837, and his
parents were Isaac and Sarah (Burrows) Bull, also natives of
Britain. To these parents were born eleven children, seven of
whom are now living, their names and other information concerning
them being as follows : Sarah, married William B. Kerr and re-
sides in Waukesha county, Wis. ; Charlotte is now Mrs. McBean
and resides in Pewaukee ; Julia married Thomas Kerr and res:des
in Hartland. Wis. ; Wm. Merton resides in Waukesha county ;
James is the subject of this review; John resides in Kansas; and
Joseph resides in Mason City, Iowa. James Bull, whose name in-
troduces this memoir, received his primary education in England
and after the migration of his parents to America attended school
in Waukesha county, Wis., for a time. The date of the immigra-
tion of the family was in 1844, and Waukesha county was its per-
manent location, the father purchasing a farm there upon which
he resided until his death in 1874. Our subject started his inde-
pendent career at the age of eighteen years, first working on a rail-
road for about three months, after which he returned home and

BIOGRAPHICAL. 131

worked for his father on the farm, remaining one year. He then
came to Dane county and worked for an uncle near Mt. Horeb one
year, after which he went to Rockford, 111., where he worked as a
farm hand for another year. Returning then to Wisconsin he en-
tered into a partnership with his brother and together they farmed
a rented place for a time, and later our subject went to Burke,
where he was employed as overseer for the H. P. Hall dairy, for
two years. He then crossed the lake to what is now known as
Esther Beach and there worked a farm for two years, and while
there helped to plant all the shrubbery, now so pleasant to look
upon at Ethelwyn park. From there he moved to Waubesa lake,
where he remained three years, and then moved on a farm in the
town of Madison, where he remained one year. Returning then to
Waubesa lake, he remained one year, after which he again went to
Ethelwyn park and worked the farm there for two years. He then
purchased the old Harvey farm, which contained thirty-six acres,
adjoining Judge Bryant's place in the town of Madison, and re-
mained there eight years. In the autumn of 1891 he sold his prop-
erty and bought a home in Wingra Park, his being the fourth fam-
ily to take up a residence in Madison's beautiful suburb, and he re-
sided in this home thirteen years. He then sold his residence and
purchased two lots near by, upon which he erected a house, and
there he and his good wife now reside in the full enjoyment of a
comfortable old age. He planted the first trees in Wingra Park on
Grant street. While his career as related has been an active one,
he found time to respond to his country's call for men in the dark
days of the early sixties. On February 23, 1864, he enlisted in
Company I of the Thirteenth Regiment Wisconsin Infantry, as a
private and served until September 18, 1865, when he was mus-
tered out of service by order of the war department, hostilities
having been ended and peace once more established. During his
service he participated in the battles of Decatur and Huntsville.
Ala., though most of the time was devoted to guard duty, and he
also played in the regimental band. Mr. Bull was married on
November 25, 1863, to Miss Elizabeth Hindrich, born in Germany,
January 14, 1842. Her parents were George and Mary A'nn Hind-
rich, both natives of Germany; her father dying when she was an
infant, her mother afterward remarried and lived in Chicago. Mr.
Bull maintains an independent attitude, politically, giving his sup-
port to men and measures that meet his conscientious approval,
and he and wife are members of the Methodist church.

Dr. James Davie Butler was born in Rutland, Vt., March 15, 1815.

132 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

He was graduated from Middlebury College in 1836, and from And-
over Theological Seminary in 1840. A distinguished scholar, and
lifelong traveler, he made the first of his many European trips in
1842, at a period when such journeys were far less common than
they have since become. He made a pedestrian tour through Ger-
many, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, and Great Brita'n; met
many distinguished scholars during his leisurely trip, and returned
late in 1843. He made three subsequent trips to Europe and also
journeyed around the world, to the Hawaiian Islands, to Cuba, and
his Wanderlust, at one time or another, drew him to most of the
known places on the earth's surface, and acquainted him with all
manner of men and civilizations. He is said to have been a pas-
senger on the first train to Portland, Oregon, over the Northern
Pacific road. On his return from his first European trip he was
successively pastor of the Congregational churches at Burlington
and Wells River, Vt., South Danvers, Mass., and Cincinnati, O.
He was called to the chair of Greek in Wabash College, Crawfords-
ville, Ind., in 1854, and in 1858 became professor of ancient lan-
guages and literature in the University of Wisconsin, being then
in his forty-third year, and Madison remained his home until the
time of his death. Many of the older alumni of the university re-
call with pleasure Dr. Butler's rare enthusiasm for learning, his
sparkling wit, and the remarkable range of his information. He
resigned his chair in 1868, and devoted the subsequent years of his
long life to travel, study, the ministry and the lecture platform.
His extensive travels and his scholarly attainments made him es-
pecially successful as a public lecturer. He was of a genial and
sociable nature, and few men had a wider circle of friends and cor-
respondents, scattered in the four quarters of the globe. He was
a prolific writer, being a well known contributor to the pages of the
New York Nation, Lippincott's Magazine, Magazine of American
History, the Bibliotheca Sacra, the Wisconsin Historical Collec-
tions, and numerous other publications, while many of his public
addresses have been printed and widely circulated. The long use-
ful and scholarly life of Dr. Butler drew to a close in 1905, sur-
rounded by his family and numerous friends, when he died at his
home in Madison, at the ripe old age of ninety.

Edward Byrne is one of the old and highly respected farmers of
the town of the town of Fitchburg, which place has been his home
during practically all of the past half-century, but his nativity was
in the little Emerald Isle, the country that has given America so
many of her leaders in the various walks of life. The exact date

BIOGRAPHICAL. 133

of the birth of Mr. Byrne is not known, as the family record was
unfortunately destroyed many years ago, but it is probable that the
event occurred about 1840. His parents were Edward anu dCather-
ine Byrne, both of whom were also natives of Ireland, and in 1854
they removed with their children to America. The family came di-
rectly to Wisconsin by way of the great lakes, landing at Milwaukee,
and then by the new railway to Dane county, the final destination
and location being in the town of Fitchburg. Edward Byrne, our
subject, had received a common school education in his native coun-
try, and upon coming to America devoted his energies to overcom-
ing the difficulties that presented themselves to the early pioneers.
Upon reaching manhood he purchased two hundred acres of land
in section 21, town of Fitchburg, the same on which he- now resides,
and immediately devoted his energies to its clearing and improve-
ment ; he afterward sold forty acres. He has resided on this tract
of land ever since, with the exception of two years which he spent
in Chicago, and he has successfully followed the business of gen-
eral farming, including the raising of hogs, cattle, sheep and horses.
Politically he gives an allegience to the principles of the Demo-
cratic party, and the esteem in which he is held by his fellow citi-
zens is attested by the fact that he has served three years as treas-
urer of the town of Fitchburg, and he has also been clerk of his
school district for a long time. His religious faith is manifested by
by membership in the Catholic church. Mr. Byrne was married
on February 22, 1870, to Miss Ellen Barry, daughter of James and
Elizabeth (McDonald) Barry, prominent residents of the town of
Fitchburg, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Byrne
are the parents of eleven children, the names and other information
concern'ng whom are properly given a place in this review : Cath-
erine is the wife of John Lacy, of the town of Fitchburg; Theresa
is the wife of Frank Hayes and resides in Canada ; Margaret is the
wife of William Byrnes of the town of Oregon ; Sarah and James
res'de at home; Beezie is a professional nurse at Colorado Springs;
Mary is deceased ; and Edward, Nellie, Irene and Anna reside at
home. All of these children were born at the old homestead in
the town of Fitchburg, and they all received their education in the
excellent district schools. James L. Byrne was the fifth ch'ld and
the eldest son born to these parents, and at the early age of fourteen
years he started in life for himself, first working for an uncle, (now
deceased), for a number of years. He was born in the town of
Fitchburgk February 7, 1880, and although still quite young, as we
reckon ages, he has a considerable competence to show as the re-

134 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

ward of his early industry and singleness of purpose. He owns one
hundred and ten acres of land in sections 16 and 22 of the town of
Fitchburg, the farm being well improved and under a high state of
cultivation. This farm he rents out to competent tenants, and as he
is unmarried he remains at home, where his services are devoted to
assisting in the management of his father's affairs. The young man
has a bright future before him, and has already won a position
a substantial and progressive citizen.

James Byrne, a retired farmer in the village of Oregon, is deserv-
ing of special mention in a work of this nature by reason of his high
character and the results he has achieved by his industry and fru-
gality. He was born in the county of Wicklow, Ireland, and is one
of four children born to Michael and Anne Byrne, all of whom mi-
grated to America and took up their residence in Wisconsin. Of
these Michael resides in the town of Fitchburg, Dane county ; Anna
and Lizzie are deceased, and James is the immediate subject of this
review. James Byrne was educated in the schools of the Emerald
Isle, and prior to his migration to America traveled extensively
in Europe. He dealt largely in horses, having a natural adapta-
tion for the business of handling the equine breed, and he can relate
many interesting experiences, representing nearly every county in
Ireland. He came directly to Wisconsin from his native land, in
1870, and worked as a farm hand for about six years. He then
bought one hundred acres of land in the town of Fitchbnrg, where
he did general farming for about seven years, and then sold the farm
to O. A. Fox, of Madison, and then rented a farm in the same town
for three years longer. He next purchased one hundred and sixty
acres in the town of Oregon, upon which he resided for nine years,
and then sold and bought eighty acres only a mile distant, where
he lived for seven years. He then sold again and purchased a com-
fortable home in the village of Oregon, where he now lives in retire-
ment and expects to reside the remainder of his life, enjoying the
fruits of years of activity. He is a man of much energy, never being
idle at any season of the year, and his success is due largely to the
unusual determination which is a prominent trait of his character.
This was evidenced in lis early life, while in the business of hand-
ling horses, and he seemed to take an especial delight in subdu-
ing the most vicious of those which came into his possession. Mr.
Byrne was married in 1876 to Miss Katie Murray, born in Green
county, Wis., in 1858, the daughter of James Murray, an old resident
of that part of the state. Mrs. Byrne became the mother of six
children, and died when the eldest was but eight years old, thus

BIOGRAPHICAL. 135

leaving a family of little ones to the care of a lend and indulgent
father. Concerning these children the following information is
appropriately given in this review : Anna T. is now Mrs. Lamp,
of Durand, Wis. ; James W. and Agnes reside at home ; Lizzie is
deceased ; George remains at home, and Eddie is deceased. Mr.
Byrne is independent in his political views, and his religious belief
is manifested by membership in the Catholic church. He possesses
the attributes that go to the making of the good citizen, and by his
careful management and sound judgement has been able to accu-
mulate a competency ; but he modestly disclaims that all the credit
is due to his own efforts, and devoutly believes that Providence
has favored him in his different undertakings.

James Byrne, who is recognized as one of the progressive and
up-to-date farmers of the town of Fitchburg, is a native of the
Green Mountain state, having been born at Burlington, Vermont,
on October 2, 1849. His parents, David and Rose (Kilin) Byrne,
were both natives of Ireland, who migrated to America early in life
and settled in the state of Vermont, where they resided for thirty
years. Then following the westward course of empire they came
to Wisconsin and took up their residence in the town of Fitchburg.
Dane county, and there spent the remainder of their lives. The
father was a farmer by occupation, and upon coming to Dane county
purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, partly improved, a
portion of which is now owned by the son whose name introduces
this review. Fourteen children were born to these parents, twelve
of whom are living, — a son, William, who served in the Union army
during the Civil War, and a daughter are deceased. James Byrne
was a small boy when his parents took up their abode in Dane
county, and he received his education in the schools of the town of
Fitchburg. He remained at home with his parents until their de-
m'se, and by purchase came into possession of the homestead
seventeen years ago, so that his residence has remained unchanged
during all the years he has lived in Dane county. His farm com-
prises one hundred and twenty acres of well improved land in sec-
tion 29, town of Fitchburg, and he occupies his time in general
farming, including the raising of cattle, hogs and sheep to a consid-
erable extent. Mr. Byrne gives an unswerving allegience to the
princ'ples and policies of the Democratic- party, and his religious
faith is expressed by membership in the Catholic church of the vil-
lage of Oregon. He has never married

James M. Byrne has been a resident of the town of Fitchburg
during the past twenty years, and so well has he ordered his affa'rs

136 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

and so indefatigably has he toiled that he has won a secure posi-
tion among the progressive and prosperous farmers of that portion
of Dane county. Mr. Byrne was born in the county of Dublin, Ire-
land, on June 26, 1861, and was the son of Lawrence and Anna
(Doyle) Byrne, who were also natives of Ireland. The opportuni-
t'es for securing an education were very limited, but our subject
attended school for a time at Kingston, Ireland, and when he was
eleven years old came with his parents to America. They located
in the state of New York, and there he supplemented the scholastic
training he had received by attendance upon the public schools.
His father bought land in the Empire state and continued to reside
there until his death, which occurred a few years later. There were
three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Byrne, and after the father's
death, the mother married a Mr. O'Brien, and to this union three
children were born. The mother of our subject, a sister, and two
half-brothers still reside in New York, and only two of the family
live in Wisconsin, viz., James M. Byrne, whose name introduces
this review, and a half-brother, Peter O'Brien, who is a flagman
at Brooklyn, Wis. The subject of this sketch was thrown upon h's
own resources at the age of fifteen years, and he worked as a com-
mon laborer during the summer months and attended school dur-
ing the winter months. In 1886 he came to Wisconsin and located
in the town of Fitchburg. Dane county, where he was employed as
a farm hand for some time. He then purchased the farm upon
which he still resides, containing one hundred and twenty acres,
and proceeded to make the excellent improvements thereon. The
success that has, crowned his efforts is due to his own unflagging
industry, a'ded by a congenial and provident helpmate. Mr. Byrne
was married on February 16, 1887, to Miss Alice Kinney, a native
of Fitchburg, born October 15, 1869, and daughter of Michael and
Alice (Lynch) Kinney, prominent residents of that town. Four
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Byrne : Jessie M.,
Alice E., Lester Joseph, and Albert John. In politics the subject
of this review gives an unswerving allegiance to the principles of
the Democratic party, and he and Mrs. Byrne are members of the
Catholic church.

John A. Byrne is one of the oldest citizens of the city of Madison,
both in point of age and in time of actual residence, more than fifty
years having elapsed since he established his home in the then un-
pretensious village. He was born in Ireland, August 11, 1820,
and is the son of James and Ellen (Sheehan) Byrv.e, both of whom
are also natives of the Emerald Isle. His father was one of those

BIOGRAPHICAL. 137

Irish patriots, who formed the Society of United Irishmen in 1798,
and under the leadership of Robert Emmett, endeavored, in 1802,
to overthrow English domination and establish an independent gov-
ernment for Erin. Being unsuccessful in the efforts, James Byrne,,
accepted the result philosophically, and turning his attention to in-
dustrial pursuits, remained in his native land until his death. He
was a distiller by occupation. John A. Byrne, whose name intro-
duces this review, received his education in the land of his birth and
continued to reside there until 1847, in which year he migrated to>
America. This was one year before the admission of Wisconsin
into the Union as a state, and upon coming to the territory Mr.
Byrne settled in Columbia county, where he purchased land. That
county rema'ned the place of his residence until 1854, when he
removed with his family to Dane county, and has resided here
ever since, all.but five years of the time in the city of Madison. He
has engaged in farming to some extent, especially during the five
years when he resided in the town of Blooming Grove, but his bus-
iness during life has been principally that of a land speculator.
In politics he has given an unswerving allegience to the basic prin-
ciples of the Democratic party, but has never essayed the roll of an
office-seeker. However, he has been called by his fellow men to
positions of trust, among them being chairman of the town board
of Blooming Grove for a number of years, and after his removal
to Madison in about 1857 or 1858, he served a term as alderman of
the fourth ward. He was also immigrant agent for the state ot
Wisconsin dur'ng the year 1853. Mr. Byrne was married on April
22, 1841, to Miss Marie E. McKinnon, who was born in Dublin,
Ireland, the daughter of John and Isabel (Jamison) McKinnon,
both being of Scotch ancestry. The marraige of Mr. Byrne and
wife occurred at Six-Mile-Bridge in the county of Clare, on the date
above mentioned, according to the service of the Episcopal Church
of England, and at the city of Limerick on the same day according
to the Roman Catholic service, by dispensation. Mrs. Byrne died,
January, 30, 1894, having become the mother of ten children, the
names and other information concerning whom are given as fol-
lows : Isabel resides at home and follows the occupation af
teaching; John M. is a resident of the state of Missouri ; -James is
deceased; Ellen is the wife of G. F. Merrill, of Ashland, Wis.;
Marie married N. E. O'Dell and lives in the state of Iowa ; Patrick J.
resides in Kansas City : Agnes F. is deceased ; George R. is a resi-
dent of Kansas City ; Agnes Kate resides at home, and Mary L. is
the wife of Prof. Charles S. Slichter. of Madison. All of these

138 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

children were well educated in the public schools of Madison and
the "University of Wisconsin. The father is a Catholic in his re-
ligious faith.

Hon. Romanzo Bunn, judge of the western district of the Fed-
eral court in Wisconsin from 1877 to 1905, was born in Oswego
county, N. Y., September 24, 1829. In studying the history of
Wisconsin one cannot help noting how large is the debt of the
Badger state to New York for her contribution, in the pioneer days,
of the material out of which a strong commonwealth may be
erected. Judge Bunn is typical of this class. The American his-
tory of his family may be traced back for some generations, and a
union of the characteristics of the Dutch of New York and the
English of New England probably account for the sturdy qualities
which have enabled Judge Bunn to achieve success out of appar-
ently unhopeful conditions. His father, Peter Bunn, was a native
of New York and followed the vocation of the farmer, putting into
it that strenuous endeavor which the conditions of life then de-
manded. Although belonging to a long-lived race he died of a
fever at the age of fifty-four. He married Miss Polly A. Jackson,
who survived her husband many years, dying at the age of seven-
ty-one. She spent her later life in Wisconsin to which state her
children had preceded her. Peter Bunn and his wife were both
members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The early life of
Judge Bunn was that of the ordinary farmer boy, and his early
education such as could be obtained at the district school. By his
own efforts he was enabled to receive an academic education,
alternating his attendance at the Springfield academy with teach-
ing, and occupying his leisure with elementary law studies. At
the age of nineteen he entered the office of McAckeron & Myers,
Elyria, Ohio, and the following year (1850), he pursued his studies
with W. H. Wood, of Ellicottville. N. Y. Here he followed the
usual routine of young men fitting themselves for attorneys in
the middle of the nineteenth century, — and read, practiced in just-
ice courts, stopping occasionally to teach a term of school to pro-
vide the necessary funds for the frugal life of the self-supporting
student, — until he reached the first goal of his ambition and was
admitted to the bar in the fall of 1853. Mr. Wood formed a part-
nership with his former clerk and the following year both of them
came west. Mr. Bunn was accompanied on the trip by his young
bride, formerly Miss Sarah Purdy, a native of Oneida county,
N. Y., and a descendant of old New England families. They
settled in the village of Galesburg and there Mr. Bunn began his

BIOGRAPHICAL. 139

active legal career. The conditions were such that only a mod-
erate degree of success was possible, and after a residence of six
years, he sought a larger field in the town of Sparta, Monroe
county, where he soon became a leading member of the bar, his
practice there dating from 1861. In 1868 he was elected judge
of the sixth circuit, was re-elected in 1871 and held the position
until 1877. The death of James C. Hopkins, of Madison, judge of
the western Federal district, on September 3, 1877, left a vacancy,
and to this position Romanzo Bunn was appointed. October 30,
of the same year, by President Hayes, a position which he filled
until his resignation in 1905. Judge Bunn was entitled to retire
upon full pay, for several years before he availed himself of the
privilege, finding more satisfaction in the continuation of his active
work than in the leisure which is the goal of so much endeavor.
Beside filling his judicial duties, Judge Bunn has lectured before
the law class of the University of Wisconsin, and was also the
lecturer on Federal jurisprudence at the Northwestern University,
Evanston, 111., for two years. His career as a jurist has been
marked by just and wise decisions and in all departments of legal
work, as attorney and lecturer as well as judge, he has won the
respect of the public and the esteem and confidence of his associ-
ates. His sense of equity is well-developed and takes precedence
in thought to technical quibbles. He is a man of fine literary
discrimination, and is fond of his library. He is a member of the
Madison Literary Club and frequently appears upon its programs.
He is also fond of out-door life and is a devoted disciple of Isaack
Walton, displaying in his ardor for this quiet sport qualities which
wrould hardly be suspected by those who knew him only in the
court-room. He has a kindly and sympathetic nature and retains
to a remarkable degree the characteristics whch marked his youth,
showing the strong fibre of the original grain which has been but
slightly affected by his contact with the world. While he votes
with the Republican party, Judge Bunn has never taken a very
active part in either local or state politice. Both he and his wife
are attendants of the Congregational church, and their beautiful
home on Langdon street has been for many years a center of
hospitable life. They are the parents of five children, the three
sons having all followed their father's profession of the law. The
two older sons. Charles W. and George L., established themselves
a number of years ago in St. Paul where one is now the judge of
the circuit court and the other general counsel for the Northern
Pacific Co. The youngest son, John M., is a practicing attorney at

140 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Spokane Falls, Wash. One daughter, Fannie, is married to C. B.
Chapman, a leading real estate man of the city of Madison and the
other, Miss Mary, resides with her parents. The latter is actively
interested in the philanthropies of the city and especially in the
city hospital and the training school for nurses recently established
in connection with it. She has been chairman of the committee on
the training school, has worked out its plans, prepared its bulletins
and had charge of its course of lectures, and has devoted con-
scientious care to every detail of the work.

Upon his retirement from the bench the Milwaukee Sentinel of
January 6, 1905, makes the following comment: "After a term of
office covering nearly three decades in the remarkable development
of his state, during which litigation of great importance has com-
manded his judicial attention no word of impeachment of his hon-
esty has ever been truthfully uttered. This fact may well be stated
as epitomizing his record as an officer and a man."

Orvis Leslie Burd, cashier of the Belleville state bank, is one of
the younger generation which claims Wisconsin as a native state ;
he was born October 18, 1869, in the town of Verona, and is the
son of William R. and Eliza Ann (Mutchler) Burd, both of whom
were born near Harmony, N. Y., the former on September 22, 1828,
and the latter December 12, 1828. They came to Wisconsin and
settled in Verona, and engaged in farming until 1891 when Mr.
Burd retired from active work and removed to the village of Ver-
ona where he now resides. They had nine children. Magg'e, mar-
ried Wallace Morse of Verona, now of Baraboo ; Gertrude (de-
ceased) ; Luella, married Willis Morse, of Verona, now of Madison ;
Emma, (deceased) ; Elona, married John S. Colby of Story ; Flattie,
married Robert Harvey, of Chicago ; Sarah married O. W. Donkle,
of Verona, now of Black Earth; Orvis L.. the subject of this
sketch; Clinton B., of Madison. Mr. Burd was brought up on the
farm in Verona and received his early instruction in the schools
of the v'llage ; he afterward attended Pond's academy at Madison,
taught school one year and then went to the business college at
Dixon, 111., and took a course in short-hand and commerce, and was
graduated from the institution [n 1891. and at once entered the em-
ployment of Mr. E. F. Riley, secretary of the board of regents of
the University of Wisconsin, at Madison, and remained there as
chief clerk until July 1, 1903, when, in company with Prof. H. L.
Russell, of Madison, he purchased the bank of Belleville, — Profes-
sor Russell taking the presidency of the bank, and Mr. Burd acting
as cashier, which important position he still occupies. Mr. Burd

BIOGRAPHICAL. 141

was married August 16, 1894, to Miss Grace Inez Wilson, of
Perry, 111. ; they have two children, Elizabeth, aged seven and
Katherine, aged five. Mr. Burd is a member of the order of Free
and Accepted Masons, of the I. O. O. F„ M. W. A., E. F. U.,
Beavers, and Good Templars ; he is a Republican and served as clerk
of the town of Madison for five years. Mr. and Mrs. Burd are
members of the Presbyterian church.

A. L-. Burdick, member of the well-known dry-goods firm of
Burdick & Murray, was born in Madison November 13, 1858. His
parents were Lewis H. and Harriet A. (Williams) Burdick.
Lewis H. Burdick was born in Vermont, spent his early life in
New York state and came to Madison at an early date. He was
an expert carpenter and practically all of the public and large
buildings of the city are witnesses of his skill and handiwork. He
died in 1884 at the age of seventy-eight. His wife died in 1892 at
the age of sixty-eight. A. L. Burdick is an example of the type ot
man who has worked his way up from the bottom step of the lad-
der to the top. He was one of nine children, only three of whom
are living, Maurice A., a hardware merchant in an Oklahoma city;
Emma. Mrs. S. I. Mould of Dubuque, la. ; and A. L., the subject
of this sketch. He was educated in the Madison city schools, but
even before he had completed school he had started on a business
career. From the time he was nine years old until he was thir-
teen he worked in a hotel managed by an uncle, Eleazer Grover.
At thirteen he started in the drygoods business as an errand boy
and general utility man, and for ten years continued in that capa-
city for the late William Dudley. When the firm became Dudley
& Zehnter he retained his position with it, remaining ten years,
and then "went on the road" for a year for an eastern concern sell-
ing fancy goods. The following thirteen years were spent with
the R. B. Ogilvie company in the capacity of general manager.
He then purchased H. N. Antisdel's interest in a wholesale notion
company, and three years later he and his partner, T. Gibbs Mur-
ray, bought out the Ogilvie dry goods company and have since con-
ducted that business with great success. On September 12, 1899,
Mr. Burdick married Miss M. E. Purcell. a native of Madison, and
a daughter of Timothy and Catherine Purcell. Mr. and Mrs. Bur-
dick are members of the Catholic church and Mr. Burdick is a dis-
trict deputy and grand knight of the Knights of Columbus. He is
a Republican in politics, a member of the so-called "Half-Breed"
wing of the party. His admiration for the junior senator from
Wisconsin is unbounded.

142 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Michael J. Burke, deceased, was a resident of the city of Madison
for fifteen years prior to his death, and during that time won the
respect and esteem of a large circle of friends. He was born in
England, of Irish parentage, the date of his birth being July 6r
1851. and his birthplace was Yorkshire, England. His parents-
were James and Bridget (Fordy) Burke, both natives of Ireland
who removed to England in early life and their spent the remainder
of their days. Michael J. Burke received his education in the
schools of Leeds, England, and as soon as he had reached the age
of eligibility he joined the English militia, with which he served
for eleven years and then received an honorable discharge. In his
youth he also learned the trade of a brick and stone mason, and
worked at the same prior to coming to America. He was married
November 29, 1873, to Miss Mary McHale, daughter of Owen John
and Ann (Allan) McHale, of Yorkshire, England, where the daugh-
ter was born on March 22, 1856. On April 8, 1881, Mr. Burke left
the English shore for America, landing at Toronto, Canada, from
which place he crossed over to Massachusetts in May. His wife
sailed on July 30, following, for Massachusetts, where she joined
her husband, and they remained in that state one year, leaving
there August 1, 1882. Wisconsin was their destination, and ar-
riving at the city of Madison in due time Mr. Burke secured em-
ployment as a brick-layer on the capitol building then in course of
construction. He was at work on the building when the structure
collapsed, November 8, 1883, and in the catastrophe he received in-
juries from which he never recovered. Both legs were broken,
other wounds and internal injuries were received, and for two years
he was unable to do work of any kind. Having then partially re-
covered, he entered the hotel business in Madison, and after eigh-
teen months in a rented building sold the business and bought a
lot in West Madison, where he built what is now known as the
Commercial House. There Mr. Burke died, in 1897, and his widow
continued the business until July, 1900, when she rented the prop-
erty for three years and in April, 1903, bought the beautiful home
at 534 West Mifflin street, where she now resides. She is a woman
of much determination and natural business ability. Five children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Burke, the names and other informa-
tion concerning whom are given as follows : John J. married
Rachel Gonstead and resides in Madison, he and wife being the
parents of the following children : Henrietta Regina, Mary
Josephine, Dorothy, Grace, Adeline, Esther ; the second son, James
Alyious, is deceased; Anna E. married James Callahan, resides in

BIOGRAPHICAL. 143

Madison, and is the mother of the following children : James
Michael, Murty Raphael, Jolyi Henry, Thomas Burke, and May
Elmore ; Thomas J. married Catherine McNamara and resides in
Chicago; and Mary A. married Henry O'Neil, resides in Madi-
son, and is the mother of the following children : Myrtle Frances,
Michael Henry, and Harold Edward. Michael J. Burke was a
Democrat in his political proclivities, and the family are members
of St. Raphael's Catholic church.

Ernest F. Burmeister, former sheriff of Dane county, is pro-
prietor of the Elks Hotel, in Middleton, and is one of the popular
citizens of his native county. He was born May 24, 1867, on a farm
in Middleton township, this county, the place of his birth being lo-
cated four miles southwest of the village of Middleton. He is a
son of Henry and Eliza (Pierstoff) Burmeister, both of whom were
native of Germany, the father having been born in Mecklenburg.
March 19, 1826, and having served the requisite period in the Ger-
man army. In 1857, he came to America, making Dane county his
destinat'on. He settled on a tract of forty acres of land in section
26, Middleton township, the place being known as the old Indian
Forty and being the farm on which the subject of this sketch was
born. He was there engaged in agricultural pursuits for eight
years, at the expiration of which he sold the property and removed
to Verona township, where he purchased one' hundred and twenty
acres. He lost this property through misfortune and then began
anew, on what was known as Nine-mound Prairie farm, where he
passed the remainder of his life, his death occurring October 19,
1876. He was a prominent member of the Grange and both he and
h's wife were zealous members of the Lutheran church. He aided
in the building of the first church of this denomination in Middle-
ton township. His Wife came with her parents to Middleton Junc-
tion, and here their marriage was solemnized. Mrs. Burmeister was
likewise born in Mecklenburg, Germany, and she now ma'ntains
her home in the village of Middleton. Of the children those living
are Henry, Emma, Carl, Ernest F., William, Otto and August.
Those deceased are Andrew, August (1st). John and Clara. Ernest
F. Burmeister, the immediate subject of this sketch, received the ad-
vantages of the public schools and was reared to the sturdy life of
the farm. At the age of twenty-one years he secured employment
as a mechanic, in the shops of Kundert & Hissig of Green county.
Wisconsin. In 1888 he was married and thereafter was employed
in the mercantile establishment of his father-in-law, in Mount Ver-
non, for a short time. He then took up his residence in Canby,

144 . HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Minnesota, where he served eight months as city marshal. In
1892 he returned to Mount Vernon, soon afterward taking a posi-
tion as traveling representative for a large manufactory of agricul-
tural machinery. Later he established himself in the livery busi-
ness in the city of Madison and after disposing of the same he be-
came turnkey and deputy sheriff, under C. W. Alead. He there-
after served one year and four months as jailer, under Sheriff C. F.
Moulton, and was finally promoted to serve the full term as under-
sheriff. He also held this office under the administrat'on of Sher-
iff G. M. Kanouse. In the fall of 1889 Mr. Burmeister was elected
sheriff of Dane county, on the Republican ticket, being the first
German and the youngest man and having the largest majority
of any man ever elected to this office in the county. He contin-
ued incumbent one term, giving a most excellent administration of
shrievalty, and he thereafter made a tour in the west, returning to
Dane county in 1894 and purchasing the Elks Hotel, in Middleton,
which he has since conducted successfully. He is a candidate
for the office of sheriff for the election of the autumn of 1906. Mr.
Burmeister is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order
of Elks, and Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Equitable Fraternal
Union, the Modern Woodmen and the Independent Foresters. In
1888 Mr. Burmeister was united in marriage to Miss Julia Weltzen,
whos'e parents were pioneers of Dane county. The six daughters of
Mr. and Mrs. Burmeister are: Lillian. Eula, Florence, Marie, Lu-
cille, and Ouida.

Almon A. Burr, a prominent farmer of the town of Medina, is a
native of Medina, Dane county, Wis. The Burr family are of
English origin and two brothers came over in the Mayflower, soon
followed by another brother. Two settled in the east and one in
the south and from one of the eastern branches Almon A. Burr is
descended and represents the ninth generation of his family in the
United States. His father, Augustus T., was born in 1822 in
Med'na county, Ohio, was educated in Ohio, married Miss Cath-
erine Lucas, who was born in Litchfield, Conn., in 1818. They
came to Dane county in 1845, two years after their marriage and
were pioneers of the new country. They obtained a farm in sec-
tion 12 and afterward moved to section 11 which they made their
permanent home ; Mrs. Burr there died in 1892 and her husband in
1902, the latter eighty years of age. Two sons were born to them ;
Theron Burr, of Evansville, and Almon A., of Medina. Mr. Bun-
was a Republican and active in politics. In Ohio he held the office
of state deputy sheriff. He was a member of the Masonic order.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 145

Almon A. Burr was born in Medina, November 30. 1858, attended
school in Medina and the Waterloo high school and taught school
for eight years. For twenty-seven years he has been engaged in
farming and has a splendid farm of two hundred acres. He is also
interested in the Waterloo Canning and Pickling Association and
secretary of the organization. He is associated with the Republi-
can party and takes great interest in politics. As treasurer and
clerk of the free high school he has endeavored to promote its in-
terests and has also labored for the district schools as clerk and
treasurer. June 25. 1884, Mr. Burr was married to Miss Violetta
Thompson, born in Medina. August 20, 1852. daughter of Amos
and Adaline ( Muzzy) Thompson, who lived in Cattaraugus county,
N. Y., before they came to Dane county. Mr. Thompson is a
veteran of the Civil War and a member of the G. A. R. He served
during the last year of the war in the First Regiment Wisconsin
Heavy Artillery, Company H. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have five
ch'ldren. Seven children have blessed the marriage of Mr. and
Mrs. Burr ; Harvey Ray, Amy Estelle, Edna Christina, Jennie May,
Allen Russell. Mabel Violetta and Dorothy Adele. The family
attend the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Burr is a member of
the Waterloo Lodge No. 63, F. & A. M. and the Modern Woodmen.
Mrs. Burr is a prominent member of the Eastern Star.

George T. Burthe, a prominent farmer of the town of Dunkirk,
was born in Rock county, Wis., February 18, 1863, and is a son of
Halvor and Alice (Evans) Burthe, natives of Norway. For a re-
view of the family history see the sketch of Albert Torgeson.
From the time he was four years of age Mr. Burthe lived in the
town of Pleasant Springs, receiving his education in the schools of
that township. He has always pursued the vocation of farmer.
He now owns three tracts of land in the town of Dunkirk, compris-
ing some two hundred acres, and one hundred and twenty acres in
the town of Pleasant Springs. Since 1892 he has made the farm in
the town of Dunkirk his home. In 1886 Mr. Burthe was united
in marriage to Anna, daughter of Thomas and Susan (Quale) Asle-
son of Dunkirk, and to this union have been born three children.
— Theodore, Stella and Oilman. Mrs. Burthe's paternal grand-
parents, Asle and Astle Thorson, came to Dane county from Nor-
way in 1846 and in the spring of 1847 settled in the town of Dun-
kirk, where they lived the rest of their lives. Her parents are still
living, making Dunkirk their home. Her maternal grandparents,
Andrew and Christie (Ouam) Quale were born in Norway, and set-
tled in Dunkirk in 1848. In his political affiliations Mr. Burthe is
10— iii

146 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

associated with the Democratic party. He and his wife are mem-
bers of the United Lutheran church. Mr. Burthe is one of the
representative citizens of the community.

Albert Burull, superintendent of the Mandt Wagon Co., of
Stoughton, was born in Toten. Norway, August 19, 1853, son of
Olaf A. Grau and Karina Burull. Olaf was a blacksmith and ma-
chinist in Norway where both he and his wife spent their entire
lives. Albert Burull was educated in the common schools in Nor-
way and grew to maturity in his native land. For some time he
was employed in the government telegraphic service, his work
being the construction of new lines through the country. Con-
vinced by the reports of fellow-countrymen who had preceded him
to the United States that his labor would there receive better
recompense, he embarked for America in 1880 and settled in
Stoughton, where he was immediately employed by the T. G.
Mandt Wagon Co., now known as the Stoughton Wagon Co., in
the steam fitting and engineering department. With this company
he worked in different capacities, part of the time as foreman of
the wheel department, until 1896, when he became connected with
the Mandt Wagon Co., also founded by T. G. Mandt. as superin-
tendent, which is his present position. On May 19, 1883, Mr.
Burull married Miss Elsie Mandt. daughter of Guilder G. and
Jorunde (Siunis) Mandt, who were pioneers of the town of Pleas-
ant Springs. Three daughters were born to the marriage ; Oleda J.,
Palma and Edna A. Mrs. Burull is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church and her husband of Christ Lutheran church of
Stoughton. Mr. Burull takes a lively interest in politics, is a Re-
publican and has represented his ward on the city council for nine
years, rendering faithful and efficient service to the city. He is a
member of the Modern Woodmen organization of the F. and A. M.
and of the Beavers.

Allen R. Bushnell, lawyer, and counsel and treasurer of the Wis-
consin Life Insurance company of Madison, was born in Hartford,
Trumbull county, Ohio. His father was Dr. George W. Bushnell.
who was born August 11, 1800, in Connecticut. For many years
he was a practicing physician in Ohio, where he was widely known
as a man of strong individuality and mature judgment. He died
on August 8, 1892. Dr. Bushnell's wife was Sallie Bates, also a
native of Connecticut, where she was born in 1801. Both the doc-
tor and his wife were members of the Disciples' church, the doctor
serving as elder for more than a generation. Mrs. Bushnell died
in 1866. Of the eight children of Dr. and Mrs. Bushnell onlv three

BIOGRAPHICAL. 147

are living : Sarah married Charles Davies after being left a widow
by S. D. Watkins, now lives in Lancaster, Wis. ; Allen R... the sub-
ject of this sketch ; and Amoret, now Mrs. A. W. Rewey of Platte-
ville. Allen R. Bushnell. was educated in the Hartford, Ohio,
high school and Oberlin and Hiram colleges, his collegiate
work being a special course to fit him for the law. When
he had completed his school work he came to Wisconsin and
entered the law offices of Hon. Steven O. Paine at Platteville,
taught school to help pay expenses, was admitted to the bar
at Lancaster and on December 1, 1857, he hung out his own
shingle in Platteville. He was elected district attorney of Grant
county in 1860, and continued his practice there until May, 1861,
when he resigned his office, and under President Lincoln's call for
75,000 volunteers, enlisted as a private in the "Platteville Guards,"
which afterward became Company C, Seventh Wisconsin Volun-
teer Infantry, and he was elected first lieutenant of the company.
This regiment became a part of the Iron Brigade, and was in most
of the battles of the Army of the Potomac. Mr. Bushnell saw some
of its sharpest fighting, — was within a few feet of Maj. F. W. Oak-
ley when the latter lost his arm, — and he was promoted to captain
of his company. In 1863 Mr. Bushnell received his honorable dis-
charge from the army on surgeon's certificate, for disability in-
curred, and he returned to Ohio, where for a year he was under the
care of his father. In 1864 he returned to Wisconsin to resume the
practice of law, but instead of continuing in Platteville he removed
to Lancaster in Grant county. In 1872 he was elected and served
as a member of the lower house of the Wisconsin legislature.
Later he framed a bill which was passed, making Lancaster a city,
and he was elected its first mayor. For four years he was United
States district attorney for the western district of Wisconsin, and
was then elected in the third district to the fifty-second United
States congress. It is worthy of note that this body was the first
to take any action on the election of United States senators by di-
rect vote of the people, and it was Mr. Bushnell who introduced
and helped to push through the lower house a proposed constitu-
tional amendment to that effect. In 1891 Mr. Bushnell removed
to Madison. His connection with the Wisconsin Life Insurance
Co., began in 1895, when he was made counsel for the company,
soon after being made a director. In 1900 he was made secretary
and in January, 1905, he assumed his present position. Mr. Bush-
nell was a candidate, in the spring of 1906, for election to the Y\ is-
consin supreme bench. He has been twice married, first in Septem-

148 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

ber, 1866, to Laura, a daughter of Esquire Addison and Martha
(Barber) Burr, of Vermont. By this marriage he had one daugh-
ter, Mabel, now the wife of James B. Kerr of St. Paul, Minn. His
first wife died in 1873, and in May, 1875, he married Mary F.,
daughter of Cyrus and Fanny (Barber) Sherman of Lancaster, a
cousin of his first wife. To this union was born one son, who died
in infancy. Mrs. Bushnell is a member of the Episcopal church
and her husband of the Congregational. Mr. Bushnell is a Royal
Arch Mason, and has held nearly all the offices which the order
can bestow, except that of tyler. Politically Mr. Bushnell is an old
school Democrat, and has long stood high in the councils of his
party.

John R. Caldwell, president of the Morrisonville state bank since
its organization, has been a prominent farmer of the county for a
number of years. As indicated by his name, Mr. Caldwell is of
Scotch origin and his grandfather, John Caldwell, came to Wiscon-
sin in 1850 and resided upon a farm of two hundred acres in Col-
umbia county. His wife was Janet Robertson, also a native of
Scotland. Their son, Robert Caldwell, was born in Scotland in
1837, was educated in Scotland and came to Columbia county, Wis.,
with his parents when he was a boy of thirteen years. He assisted
his parents with the work of clearing the new farm and early com-
menced farming for himself. He married Miss Elizabeth Caldow,
who was born in Scotland in 1838 and came to Wisconsin in 1853
with her parents, locating in Columbia county. Eight children
blessed their marriage; John R., William K., Adam (deceased),
David A., Charles P.. Mary, Martha and Thomas A. Robert Cald-
well was a successful farmer, the owner of three hundred and eighty
acres of land and active in the interests of the community, where
he held several offices. He was an adherent of the principles of
the Republican party. Mr. Caldwell died in 1885 and his wife in
November, 1888. They were both prominent in the Presbyterian
church. John R. Caldwell, their oldest son, was born in the town-
ship of Arlington, Columbia county, March 2, 18G3, attended the
Arlington school and the Poynette high school and soon devoted
his attention to farming. He is the owner of a fine farm property
in the town of Vienna, in all three hundred and twenty acres, which
he keeps in a prosperous and profitable condition. Clydesdale
horses, short-horned cattle and Poland China hogs are bred upon
his farm and an extensive general farming business carried on.
Mr. Caldwell is a Republican and supervisor in Vienna and is the
president of the Arlington Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Co.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 149

November 5, 1889, occurred his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Morri-
son, daughter of James Morrison, — for whom the village of Mor-
risonville was named, — and four children have been born to the
marriage. Robert James is a student at the Lodi high school.
The younger children are Jennie Elizabeth, Marjorie Temple and
Jessie Florence.

William K. Caldwell, of Morrisonville, was born in the township
of Arlington, Columbia county, January 25. 1865. He attended
the common and high school of Poynette, and was graduated from
the Northwestern Business College in 1887. He first turned his
attention to school-teaching, as the young man fresh from college
is apt to do, and continued in that work for four years before join-
ing the ranks of the educated farmer, — a class which in this state
is steadily raising the grade of agricultural life as a profession.
He came from Columbia to this county in 1899, purchased the
farm on which he resides, consisting of two hundred and forty
acres. He is an extensive feeder of horses, also general farmer
and stock-raiser. In politics he belongs to the Republican party,
and although intelligently interested in public matters is not an
office-seeker. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church
as is also his wife, to whom he was united March 9, 1899. She
was Miss Elizabeth M. Ferguson, daughter of Andrew and Agnes
( Harvey) Ferguson. Mrs. Caldwell's parents are natives of Scot-
land, her father being born there in 1823 and her mother in 1828.
Mr. Ferguson came to Illinois in 1841 and settled in ^'heatland,
Hill county, where he was married in 1852. His wife came to
Illinois with her parents, James and Jennett (Kerr) Harvey, about
1844. They had a family of eight children, five of whom are still
living. Mr. Ferguson is a farmer, a Democrat and a supporter of
the United Presbyterian church of which his wife is a member.
Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell have two children, Harold Ferguson, born
March 8, 1900. and Lester Earl, born August 25, 1902. Robert
Caldwell, father of Wm. K. Caldwell, is mentioned in this work in
connection with the sketch of John R. Caldwell.

George Call, Jr., is a well-known farmer of the town of York,
where he has resided since he was a boy ten years old. George
and Eliza (Griswold) Call, his parents, were born in Ancrum, Col-
umbia county, N. Y., and came to Dane county in 1852. George
Call was descended from an old American family. His father,.
Jacob Call, was born in Connecticut and Mrs. Jacob Call's father
served six years and nine months in the Revolutionary W ar.
George Call wras born December 4, 1812, was educated in New

150 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

York and married Miss Eliza Griswold in 1833. She was born
February 22, 1809, and was the daughter of Oliver Griswold, a
farmer of Connecticut, who lived for a time in New York and later
in Dodge county, Wis., where he died. Mr. and Mrs Call had three
children ; the oldest son, Eli, died ; the second son is George, Jr.,
the subject of this sketch, and the only daughter, Annette, married
Herman Schultz in 1888. Mr. Schultz is a native of Germany and
came to Marshall in 1872. For a short time he made Waterloo his
home and spent the residue of his life farming in the town of Me-
dina. Mr. and Mrs. Schultz died, leaving nine children, all of
whom are living at the present time. When Mr. and Mrs. Call
came to Wisconsin, they at once obtained an eighty-acre farm, to
which they added from time to time, until at the death of Mr. Call
in 1884, he owned one hundred and forty-one acres. His wife lived
but a few years longer, until September, 1900. Mr. Call was a Re-
publican as is his son, George, Jr. The latter was born in Ancram,
N. Y. May 23, 1842, attended school in York and has always been
engaged in farming. He has a fine farm of one hundred and nine-
ty acres, where he carries on a general farming business and also
raises stock, including red-polled cattle. February 21, 1873, he
married Miss Harriet E. Carskaden, who was born in York, June 12,
1852, daughter of Orson Carskaden, an account of whose life ap-
pears elsewhere in this work. Three children were born to Mr. and
Mrs. Call, but they have been very unfortunate in the loss of the
two younger children, James G., who was born August 1, 1877 and
died in 1883 and Florence May, who was born July 29, 1881 and
died in 1883. The oldest son, William Henry, was born January
25, 1875, educated in the Waterloo high school and takes charge
of the farm, following in the footsteps of his father.

Charles H. Campbell, a progressive farmer of Berry township,
was born in the township of his abode, Dane county, Wis., July 22,
1866. After the death of his father, his mother, who was a native
of the state of New York, was married, in 1869, to John Hawley,
of Berry township, and by this marriage had six children, five of
whom are living. Mr. Campbell was educated in the common
schools of the vicinity in which he was reared, and upon reaching
manhood selected farming as his life's occupation, and has success-
fully followed the same. For several years he owned a farm in
Berry township, but having sold it now rents what is known as the
"Sfaultz farm," containing two hundred and forty acres. Mr. Camp-
bell is quite an extensive breeder of Poland-China hogs, and in
addition follows general farming and stock-raising, and also does

BIOGRAPHICAL. 151

a somewhat extensive dairy business. He is a Republican in pol-
itics, and with his wife is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran
church. Mr. .Campbell was married, October 20, 1892, to Miss
Lizzie Anderson, who was born in Sauk county, Wis., May 6, 1873.
She is the daughter of Benjamin and Catherine (Cook) Anderson,
the former of whom was born in Norway in 1833, and the latter is
a native of Pennsylvania, where she was born in 1843. They came
in early life to Sauk county. Wis., and moved from there to the state
of Washington, about 1897. There the father died in 1904, leaving
the widow and seven surviving children, nine having been born to
the parents. To Mr. Campbell and wife six children have been
born as follows: Harry (deceased), Elsie, Clifford, Violet, Pearl,
Velma.

Judge Jairus H. Carpenter was born at Ashford (now East-
ford), Conn., February 14, 1822. He was educated in the schools
of his native town and at Hollister Academy, Mass. After teach-
ing school for seven terms, he began the study of law in 1844, com-
plepting his studies with the Hon. L. P. Waldo, a prominent attor-
ney of Tolland, Conn., and was admitted to the bar in March, 1847.
He practiced his profession at Willamatic, Conn., until the spring
of 1857, when he came west and located at Madison, Wis., where he
has since resided. He married Martha C. Kendall, a native of
Palmer, Mass., in 1852. He espoused the principles of the Repub-
lican party at the time of its formation, and served as alternate
delegate to its first national convention at Philadelphia and as
delegate to the convention which nominated General Fremont for
the presidency in 1856. His first professional partnership in Mad-
ison was with John W. Johnson, 1857-58 ; then he formed a partner-
with General Ezra T. Sprague, under the firm name of Carpenter
and Sprague, 1858-61 ; in 1868 was formed the partnership of Car-
penter & Chase, which continued until 1874, at which time Captain
Chase removed to Souix City, la. Since that date Judge Carpenter
has had no partner. He is a careful, painstaking lawyer, an effec-
tive jury advocate, and noted for the zeal and earnestness with
which he espoused a client's cause, when he had accepted a re-
tainer. He was for three years a member of the Madison common
council, and president of that body and acting mayor for several
months in the absence of the mayor. • He has always taken a strong
interest in educational matters, as is evidenced by his long service
of twenty- eight years on the city board of education of which he
"was president 1867-1890. He has been a member of the law fac-
ulty, University of Wisconsin, since 1868, and was the dean of that

152 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

body the first nine years after its organization. He received the
honorary degree of A. M. from Yale college in 1874, and L.L. D.
from the University of Wisconsin in 1876. In 1900 he was made
Jackson professor of law, emeritus, in the University of Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin supreme court appointed him to revise the probate
laws of the state in 1878, and he was one of the commissioners to
superintend the publication of the revised statutes of 1878. In
1885 he was appointed county judge by Governor Rusk, to fill the
vacancy caused by the death of Judge Sanborn, and held that
position until January 6, 1902. He made a patient, conscientious
and impartial judge, giving excellent satisfaction both to the bar
and the people.

Though now in his eighty-fifth year, he is a well-preserved man,
and retains to a marked degree his mental and physical activity.
His well-ordered life, cheerful and social nature, and remarkable
strength of constitution, inherited from his New England ances-
tors, bid fair to give him a much longer lease of life. His parents
were Palmer and Martha (Brown) Carpenter, who settled in Minne-
sota in 1856, and made that state their home during their last years,
honored and respected by all who knew them.

Prof. Stephen H. Carpenter, deceased, for ten years prior to his
death occupied the chair of English Literature in the University of
Wisconsin, and in the larger portion of an active life spent in the
city of Madison he became well known and highly respected by
the citizens thereof. Professor Carpenter was born in Fairfield,
Herkimer county, N. Y., August 7, 1831, and his parents were Cal-
vin G. and Laura (Haskins) Carpenter, both of whom were natives
of New York and spent their lives in that state, the father having
been a Baptist minister of considerable note. The parents died at
Phelps, Ontario county, X. Y. Prof. Carpenter received his edu-
cation in his native state, was graduated from the University of
Rochester, and in 1852 he came to Madison and accepted a position
as instructor in the I nivcrsity of Wisconsin. After officiating one
year in that capacity he retired from the chair he occupied and be-
came the editor of a periodical, known as the "Western Fireside."
He edited that and other publications until 1859, and then went to
Missouri for the purpose of teaching Latin in a seminary at Pal-
myra, in that state. But the breaking out of the Civil War and the
active military operations in that section caused the institution to be
closed during the period of hostilites, and after one year spent there
Mr. Carpenter returned to his home in Madison. Soon after his re:
turn he was appointed clerk of the city of Madison and filled that

BIOGRAPHICAL. 153

position until 1868, when he again became an instructor in the
University of Wisconsin, occupying the chair of English Litera-
ture from that time until his death, December 7, 1878. In politics
Prof. Carpenter was an old time Whig, but after the disintegration
of that party he generally gave his support to nominees of the
Democratic faith, although he was never what could be called an
active politician or an "offensive partisan." Aside from the office
of city clerk, mentioned above, he also served on the Madison school
board for a number of years. His religious faith was expressed in
his membership in the Baptist church, and although he was never
a regularly ordained minister he preached a great deal in the vari-
ous churches of Madison and surrounding country. Prof. Carpen-
ter chose as his helpmate and companion on the journey of life,
Miss Frances Curtis, who was also a native of Herkimer county,
N. Y., being born in the village of Frankfort, and the marraige
occurred on May 14, 1856. Mrs. Carpenter's father was Ira Cur-
tis, who was born in Connecticut, and in early life followed the mer-
cantile business. In 1853 he migrated to Wisconsin and bought a
farm in Richland county, where he followed agricultural pursuits
for a number of years, finally moving to the city of Madison, where
he and his good wife both died at the residence of their daughter,
Mrs. Carpenter. The maiden name of the mother was Nancy
Myers, and she was a native of the state of New York. Although
born in the same state and county, Prof. Carpenter and wife had
never met until they took up their residence in Wisconsin. They
saw Madison grow from a small collection of houses to a preten-
tious city, and Mrs. Carpenter recalls that when she first came
here there was but one little church in the village. Her husband
built the house in which they still reside, at 424 Wisconsin Avenue,
and he planted the seeds from which grew the stately trees that now
stand in front of the residence. Prof. Carpenter was a member
of the Masonic order and of a leading college fraternity.

James Garrison, a well-known and greatly respected member of
Rutland's farming community, is a native of England. He is a pio-
neer of Dane county and his life is typical of that of the fine old
settlers of Wisconsin, and of whom so many started with only their
willing hands as capital and have made the state what it is and inci-
dentally gained for themselves a prosperous livelihood and many
warm friends. Mr. Carrison's parents, John and Elizabeth (Car-
ter) Carrison, were born in Cambridgeshire, England, and spent
their childhood, youth and early married life in their native village.
In 1854, they embarked for America and came west as far as Rut-

154 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

land, bringing with them their yonng family. Mr. Carrison ob-
tained one hundred and forty acres of wild land, which he imme-
diately set to work to improve and it became their permanent home,
where they spent the remainder of their lives. Their family were
brought up in the Baptist church and of their five children, four
are living. The oldest son is James, the subject of this sketch.
George is a retired farmer, who makes his home in Oregon, Wis.,
Mary is dead. William resides in Osage, Iowa. Sarah, the young-
est, makes Orleans, Neb. her home. James was born in Ramsby,
Cambridgeshire, England, November 5, 1832, came to America
with his parents when he was twenty-two years old but had little
opportunity to go to school, as it was necessary for him to work on
the farm. Until 1864 he lived with his parents and worked very
hard helping to clear and improve their farm. He then bought his
farm in section 14, Rutland township, and set to work upon that farm
which had been very little improved. In 1859, he married and he
and his wife worked together to make a comfortable home of their
new property. In this they have been very successful and in 1886,
they retired from active work to enjoy the fruits of their many
years of industry. Mrs. Carrison was Miss Mary Ann Tibbit,
daughter of Edward and Ann (Roth) Tibbit of Norfolk, Eng., and
is one of a family of ten sons and daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Tibbit
came to America in 1854 and settled on a farm in Rutland. Mrs.
Tibbit lives in Stoughton and his been a widow since 1889. Mary
Ann is the oldest daughter; Jane resides in Mitchell county, Iowa;
George in Mason City, Iowa; Becky in Northwood. Iowa; Fred-
rick is a farmer in the town of Dunn, Dane county; Sarah, Edward,
Ruth and an infant child died ; Susan lives in Rutland. Mr. and
Mrs. Carrison have had three children. Charlotte married Peter
O. Thompson, a farmer of Deerfield, Dane county, Wis. Twelve
children make up their family circle; Henry, Ann, William. Emma,
James, Herman, George, Clara, Chester, Raymond, Martha and
Peter, Jr. Martha Carrison, the second child, is the wife of Seth
Stockton, a farmer of Dunkirk and has two children, Irene, and
Leslie. Annie died in infancy. Mr. Carrison is a Republican in
his political sympathies, has been school treasurer and held other
local offices. He is a member of the Baptist church, which his
family also attend. His children have been educated in the Rut-
land and Stoughton schools, in which he has taken an interest
since the early days. While Mr. and Mrs. Carrison suffered many
of the hardships of a young and wild country, they have likewise
reaped its rewards.

Mr. and Mrs. Orson Carskaden.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 155

Orson Carskaden was the owner of a large and valuable farm
in the town of York. He was born at Salt Point, Dutchess county,
N. Y., August 17, 1818, where his father, James Carskaden, was a
wheelwright. James Carskaden was a native of Dutchess county
and was there educated and married. His wife was Miss Harriet
Adsit of Dutchess county, and nine children were born to the mar-
riage, of whom two are living. Mr. Carskaden was of Scotch an-
cestry and his father came to the state of New York in colonial days
and served his country in the Revolutionary War under General
Wayne. Orson Carskaden was educated in Dutchess county,
N. Y. , and came to Wisconsin in 1848. He purchased an eighty
acre farm in Dane county, improved it in every way and added to
it one hundred and twenty acres, making a farm of two hundred
acres in a fine state of cultivation. Mr. Carskaden raised consider-
able stock and devoted special attention to his Durham cattle and
Poland China hogs. He was a Republican and held office as treas-
urer and supervisor in York township. For years Mr. Carskaden
was in the Masonic order and was the oldest member of the Water-
loo Lodge, No. 63, F. and A. M. He also belonged to the Water-
loo Lodge of the I. O. O. F. during its entire existence. In Novem-
ber, 1839, he married Miss Lovina Bashford, who was born in the
state of New York in 1822, the daughter of George and Tamina
(Woodward), Bashford, who came to Dane county from New York
in the early days and spent the residue of their lives in the town of
Medina. Mrs. Carskaden died May 12, 1876. Seven children were
born to Mr. and Mrs. Carskaden ; four are deceased, Mary, Ta-
mina, Annette and William ; Harriet, Laura and George are the
surviving members of the family. In May, 1879, Mr. Carskaden
was married a second time, his wife being Miss Amarilla Dodge,
daughter of Willis Dodge, elsewhere mentioned in this work. Mr.
Carskaden led a long and interesting life and took an active part
in the work which built up a great commonwealth in the half
century of his life in Wisconsin. He died November 23, 1905.

Michael Cashen, (deceased), was born in Ireland, January 2, 1835.
His mother died in Ireland, when he was a baby, and his father,
Anthony Cashen, afterward came to America and settled in Ver-
mont, where he spent the remainder of his life, living to the ex-
treme old age of ninety-three years. The subject of this sketch
was educated in Ireland and came first to Vermont, where he was
married, May 2, 1855, to Miss Margaret Dempsey, the daughter of
James and Nancy (Foley) Dempsey. They came to Wisconsin
the same year, and the following year came to Madison. Mr.

156 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Cashen bought two farms near Richland Center, Richland county,
but not finding farming a congenial occupation, he sold them,
and returned to the business which he had been engaged in in
Vermont, before coming west, that of yard-master for the railroad.
He subsequently owned a farm in the town of Blooming Grove
but never lived on it. He occupied the position of yard-master for
forty-two years, working up to one week of the time of his death,
which occurred April 11, 1897. Mr. Cashen was in his earlier life
a Democrat, but of later years voted with the Republican party ;
he was a member of St. Raphael's Catholic church, and belonged
to the St. Raphael's benevolent society, and to the Catholic Knights.
Mrs. Cashen was seventeen years old when she came with her pa-
rents to the United States; after her marraige to Mr. Cashen, in
Burlington, Vt, her parents accompanied herself and husband to
Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Cashen have had thirteen children : the
three oldest boys are dead ; there are five sons living, James, John,
Michael, Harry and Gregory, and five danghters ; Mrs. P. Regan,
Katherine, Mrs. Francis Cox, Margaret and Mrs. Bessie Dugan.
The children were all born in Madison, except Mrs. Regan who
was born in Portage. When Mr. and Mrs. Cashen came west much
of the land lying between the lakes was swamp land, and they
saw its evolution from that state into the beautiful city of to-
day. Mrs. Cashen owns her comfortable home at 402 W. Wilson
St., and other property in the city.

Hon. John B. Cassoday, chief justice of the supreme court of
Wisconsin, is the distinguished successor of a long line of jurists
who have, in something over the half century since the establish-
ment of that branch of the judiciary in the state, handed down that
long line of decisions which have given Wisconsin its high rank
in the courts of last resort. He was born in Herkimer county,
N. Y., July 7, 1830, and was left fatherless at the age of three
years. His mother returned with him to her own people in Tioga
county, Pennsylvania, and the story of his early life is one of
poverty and privation, which only strong native powers would
have enabled him to overcome, and to have insured, despite hard-
ships, that success which has merited and received the highest
recognition. His early education was attained at the district
schools at irregular intervals while he worked for his board at the
same time. He took advantage, however, of every opportunity to
increase his store of knowledge and managed to supplement the
meager instruction of the country school of the early days with one
term at the school in the village of Tioga, and another at the

BIOGRAPHICAL. 157

Wellsborough Academy. At the time he was seventeen years old
and during the next four years, he crystallized his elementary
learning into more exact form by teaching, when opportunity of-
fered, and. meanwhile,, worked at whatever employment could be
obtained. Later he was able to spend four years in academic
study, two at Knoxville Academy, Pennsylvania, and two at Al-
fred Academy, New York, and was graduated from the latter. He
spent one year at the University of Michigan and later entered the
law school of Albany, N. Y., and read law with an attorney of
Wellsborough, Pa. The decade immediately preceding the Civil
War was one of active immigration to the comparatively new
region in the upper Mississippi valley, then known as the North-
west, and the young attorney followed the line of march of these
soldiers of fortune, and coming to Wisconsin in 1857, settled in
Janesville, and continued his study of law under the direction of
Judge Conger, one of the leading attorneys of that time and place.
The following year he became a partner in a local firm under the
name of Bennett, Cassoday and Gibbs, and continued this associa-
tion until January, 1866. The two years following he carried on
his practice alone, and then formed a partnership with Mr. Mer-
rill which lasted until 1873, when the latter retired from practice.
The firm of Cassoday and Carpenter succeeded that of Cassoday
and Merrill and continued until November, 1880, when, a vacancy
having occurred on the supreme bench by the death of Chief Just-
ice Ryan, in October, and the promotion of Associate Justice Cole
to that office, John B. Cassoday was appointed by Governor Smith
to fill the same. In April, 1881, in April, 1889, and again in 1899
Judge Cassoday was elected, each time without opposition. In
1895 he was promoted to the position of chief justice to succeed
Hon. Harlow G. Orton. In 1898 he was made president of the Bar
Association of Wisconsin. Judge Cassoday's political record previ-
ous to his advancement to the supreme bench was one of active,
though temperate support of the Republican party, with which he
has been affiliated since its organization. He was a delegate to the
national Republican convention in Baltimore, which renominated
Lincoln in 1864, and served upon the committee of credentials.
He was elected to the assembly in 1864 and again in 1876. both
times filling important positions, the first time on the railroad and
judiciary committees and the second as speaker of the assembly,
serving in each position with credit to himself and satisfaction to
his party. He was chairman of the Republican state convention
for 1879 and entered actively into the campaign. The following

158 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

year he was delegate -at-large to the national convention at Chi-
aocg and chairman of the Wisconsin delegation. He presented
the name of the late E. B. Washburne as Wisconsin's choice for the
chief executive and supported his nomination by a brilliant speech ;
and later with fifteen other Wisconsin delegates broke the deadlock
in the convention by announcing the transfer of their votes to James
A. Garfield. He took a very active part in the presidential cam-
paign of that year as he had frequently done on other similar oc-
casions.

As a practicing attorney, Mr. Cassoday was one of the ablest
and most successful in the state. Endowed with a well-balanced,
keen and analytical mind, he brought to the work of his profession
in addition, an abundance of hard work and painstaking industry.
These qualities, combined to his ever courteous treatment of an
opponent, and his conscientious attitude toward court and client,
not only earned for him the sincerest respect of the profession,
but brought him a great volume of business during his twenty-
three years of general practice. A few of the more important
cases in which he was engaged are the following: Jackman will
case, 26 Wisconsin. 104; Chapin will case, 32 Wisconsin, 557;
Culver vs. Palmer, Smith vs. Ford, 48 Wisconsin, 115; Rowell vs.
Harris Manufacturing Co., and Sargeant Manufacturing Co. vs.
Woodruff, the two last being patent cases in the Federal courts.
To the bench. Justice Cassoday brought a well-stored mind and
untiring energy. His decisions have been characterized by keen
analysis, patient search for all the underlying facts, and a mas-
terly grouping of details, which have caused his opinions to be
quoted as authority throughout the land. He is widely known to
the profession as an authority on the important subjects of consti-
tutional law and wills ; a few of the opinions he has written which
bear on these subjects, and which have been widely quoted in the
courts of other states and by well-known text writers, are, con-
stitutional law : Wisconsin Central Railway vs. Taylor County,
52 Wis., 37 ; Baker vs. State, 54 Wis., 368 ; Cathcart vs. Comstock,
56 Wis., 390 ; Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company vs.
Langlade County, 56 Wis., 614; State ex. rel. vs. Forest County,
74 Wis., 610 ; State ex rel. vs. Ryan, 70 Wis. 676 ; J. S. Keator Lum-
ber Company vs. St. Croix Boom Company, 72 Wis., 62 ; State ex.
rel. vs. District Board, 76 Wis., 203; State ex. rel. vs. Mann, 76
Wis.. 469; State ex rel. vs. Cunningham. 82 Wis., 39 and 83 Wis.,
90; State ex rel. vs. Stewart. 60 Wis.. 587: On the subject of
wills; Will of Mary P. Ladd, 60 Wis., 187; Scott vs. West, 63 Wis.,

BIOGRAPHICAL. 159

529 ; Newman vs. Waterman, 63 Wis., 612 ; will of ward, 70 Wis.,
251 ; Ford vs. Ford. TO Wis.. 19, and the same case, 72 Wis., 621 ;
will of Slinger, 72 Wis., 22 ; will of Ehle, 73 Wis., 445 ; Baker vs.
Estate of McLeod, 79 Wis., 534; Burnham vs. Burnham, 79 Wis.,
557; and Saxton vs. Webber, 83 Wis., 617.

In addition to his official duties, Justice Cassoday has found time
to lecture for many years to the college of law of the University
of Wisconsin, and has thus found means to impress upon the young
men of that great institution his views of the important topics of
constitutional law and wills. His well known work entitled
"Cassoday on Wills" is used as a text book in the University of
Wisconsin law college, and in several other law schools. No stu-
dent who has ever taken work under Justice Cassoday has failed
to be impressed by the profundity of his learning, or his sym-
pathetic kindness as a man. He was universally beloved by all his
students for his many lovable qualities as a friend and teacher,
while all respected him for his scholarly attainments.

Justice Cassoday is the author of various papers which he has
prepared for literary societies and other learned bodies from time
to time, among which are, The Law and Lawyers, Lord Mansfield,
The American Lawyer. American Citizenship, Our Magna Charta,
John Scott, and John Marshall ; James Kent and Joseph Story, in
Yale Law Journal, volume 12, pages 146-153, and Mathew Hale
Carpenter, about to appear in a book containing sketches of sixty
of the most eminent American jurists, who died prior to 1900.

John Catlin, one of the earliest pioneers of Madison, was born in
Vermont in 1803, and was admitted to the bar in the east in 1833.
He was clerk of the territorial supreme court of Wisconsin at its
first session in Belmont, 1836, and continued in that capacity in
Madison until 1839. In February, 1837, when the Hon. Moses M.
Strong, of Mineral Point, began to plat the town site of the fut-
ure capital in the neighborhood of the Capital Park, he was assisted
in the work by John Catlin. On February 15, 1837, a postoffice
was first established in the town of Madison, and John Catlin was
appointed the first postmaster. Owing to the lack of mail facilities,
the office was not opened for business until May 27, succeeding,
and then the first mail was received and distributed in Eben Peck's
log house on lot 8. block 107. August 20, 1842, Mr. Catlin was
again appointed postmaster, serving until December 28, 1844, when
he was succeeded by his brother. Steptoe Catlin. When first ap-
pointed, Mr. Catlin employed the half-breed, St. Cyr, to build him
a log house where the present postoffice now stands, north corner

160 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

of Mifflin street and Wisconsin avenue. This was the first attempt
to erect a permanent building, which was not roofed and finished
until summer. (The Story of Madison, by Reuben Gold Thwaites.)
Mr. Catlin was admitted to practice before the supreme court in
1839, and was the first lawyer in the county and the 'first district
attorney, (1839). He was a member of the first "Board of Visi-
tors" of the University of Wisconsin, and was chosen secretary at
the first and only session of the board, December 1, 1838, at which
session the legislature was requested to at once appropriate the
congressional land grant of two townships for the benefit of the
proposed university. He served as clerk of the territorial house of
representatives, 1838-1846, and was secretary of the territory, 1846-
48 ; was president of the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad Com-
pany for a number of years, being the first railroad in the state ;
was the first Dane county judge, as distinguished from probate
judge, and served from January 1, 1850 to October 31, 1850; was
a member of the territorial council, 1845 ; a life member of the
State Historical Society ; charter member and first Master of Madi-
son Lodge No. 5, Masons, 1844 ; one of the incorporators of the
Madison Mutual Insurance Company, 1851 ; was one of the organ-
izers of the Madison Select Female school (May, 1842), which
was maintained only a year, and an incorporator and first president
of the Madison Female academy. 1846. In 1846 he started the first
abstract office in Dane county and the second in the state, in
association with E. M. Williamson. The first church society or-
ganized in the village of Madison was one wherein sixteen of the
leading pioneers, including John Catlin, unite to form a parish of
the Protestant Episcopal church, 1839. Mr. Catlin died at Eliza-
beth, N. J., August 4, 1874.

Chandler Burnell Chapman was born in Middlebury, Yt., July 7,
1815. He received his earlier education in his native state and was
graduated from a College of Medicine in the state of New York
where he was married to Miss Mary Eugenia Pease in June, 1837.
The young couple settled in Trumbull county, Ohio, where Doctor
Chapman practiced his profession until May. 1846, when he came
to Madison, Wisconsin, then a settlement of less than four hun-
dred persons. He accomplished the journey in one week's time by
means of private conveyance, steamboat and stage. In addition
to his practice of medicine and surgery in Madison, Doctor Chap-
man devoted a part of his time to his duties as professor of chem-
istrv and other studies at Miami and Cincinnati Colleges of Medi-
cine. At the outbreak of the Civil War he accompanied the Sixth

BIOGRAPHICAL. 161

Wisconsin Regiment as surgeon and later was appointed surgeon
of the famous Iron Brigade, which contained among others the
Second, Sixth, and Seventh Wisconsin Regiments. During the
later years of the war Doctor Chapman served as medical director
of the Army of the Rio Grande under General Heron, — his entire
service covering the period between June, 1861 and August, 1864.

Dr. James A. Jackson. #one of the most eminent surgeons of south-
ern Wisconsin in speaking of Doctor Chapman said : "I have the
happiest recollection of my old friend Dr. Chandler B. Chapman.
I remember how in my enthusiasm I looked up to the old doctor
as a monument of skill and wisdom and how I earnestly hoped that
the day would come when I too would be as great and as good a
man. He was a most able chemist and was recognized as one of
the most capable surgeons of his time, and as I look back upon
him I believe him to have been much in advance of his time in
surgery. I used to listen with great intentness to his discourses
on the various new chemical processes of which he was the master
and nothing pleased me more than to hear him describe the steps
of some difficult operation which he had performed, and not in-
frequently they were operations which would be considered diffi-
cult, and would be undertaken, only by the foremost surgeons of
this time. From his words I gathered much of the inspiration
that has been so useful to me in my later career. He was one of
the organizers of the Dane County Medical Society, other members
of which were Dr. Favill, Dr. J. J. Brown, Dr. Heath, Dr. Jos. Hob-
bins. Dr. Wm. Hobbins and others. He was a man of courteous
manner, kind and affable to his friends, associates and patients,
and was held in the highest esteem by all the members of his pro-
fession."

Doctor Chapman was very fond of travel and made two journeys
to the Old World, spending a year and more on each trip. His
observations at these times formed the subject matter of many
lectures delivered at Madison and other places. During the later
years of his life he became deeply interested in the development
of the state of Kansas and spent much of his time in Emporia, the
home of his daughter, Eugenia, who was the wife of Almerin Gil-
lette, a prominent lawyer and state official. Doctor Chapman died
at his home in Madison, May 18, 1877, leaving a widow, a daughter,
Eugenia Gillette, and a son. Chandler Pease, all of whom have
since died.

Chandler B. Chapman, president of the Southern Land Company
and vice-president of the Oriana Stave Mill Company of Virginia,
11— iii

162 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

was born in Madison, December 15, 1870. His parents were Gen-
eral Chandler P. and Sarah E. (Turner) Chapman, the former a na-
tive of Ohio, and the latter of Jefferson county, Wis. Chandler B.
Chapman for three years attended the University of Wisconsin with
the class of 1891. For a time after leaving college he was em-
ployed in the office of the city engineer, and then went into the
abstract office with his father. In 1900 he gave up the abstract
business and removed to Williamsburg, Va., where he had pur-
chased several farms. In 1903 he returned to Madison and has
made his home here since. During the Spanish-American War
Mr. Chapman was first lieutenant and adjutant of the First bat-
talion. First Wisconsin Infantry, and was also ordinance officer
for that regiment. The troops were at Jacksonville, Fla., some
four months, during which time the First Wisconsin lost seventy-
six men through sickness. Mr. Chapman married, on June 18, 1896,
Miss Frances Bunn, a native of Sparta, and daughter of Judge
Romanzo Bunn. To this union was born one child, Sarah, who
died in August, 1900, at the age of two years. Mr. Chapman be-
longs to the Chi Psi college fraternity and he and his wife are mem-
bers of the Presbyterian church.

Chandler Pease Chapman was born in Bristol, Trumbull county.
Ohio, February 13, 1844. He came to Madison with his parents,
Dr. Chandler Burnell and Mary (Pease) Chapman in 1846 and re-
sided there until his death May 12, 1897. In 1861, at the age of
eighteen, he enlisted in the Civil War as private in Company D,
Sixth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and was appointed hospital
steward under his father, the surgeon of the regiment. Having
been discharged for disability in 1862, he returned to Madison and
engaged in newspaper work. Later he became proprietor of the
Dane county abstract office in which business he remained the rest
of his life. Considering a thorough knowledge of law important
to his success in his business he prepared himself for the state
examination and was admitted to the bar. His study of probate
and real estate law was especially thorough and his opinion on any
point of law in these branches was especially sought after by most
members of the Madison bar. He* was prominent in the order of
Free Masonry, a leader in the Presbyterian church, an active cur-
ator of the Historical Society and recognized on the board of sup-
ervisors and in other fields of civic usefulness as an energetic,
clear-headed, public-spirited worker with whom it was an inspira-
tion to be associated. He achieved his widest reputation, however,
in connection with the Wisconsin National Guard which he re-or-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 163

ganized and placed on a footing equal in many respects to that
of any state in the Union. His service in the state militia began in
18T9 as captain of the Lake City Guard. In 1881 he became assist-
ant inspector general (with rank of lieutenant colonel). January 2,
1882, under Governor Rusk, he was appointed adjutant general
(with rank of brigadier general) and continued in this same office
until January 7, 1889. The great work which he did in this capa-
city is thus described by his successor Gen. Charles King in an arti-
cle published in Outing (Volume 18, pages 34—112) under the title
of "The National Guard of Wisconsin." "It was Chapman who
moulded the scattered battalion and companies into regiments each
in its own district ; Chapman who strove from the outset to eradi-
cate all the old militia parade ideas and to bring the Guard to a
business basis ; Chapman who chose the regular army as the stand-
ard for Wisconsin soldiery; and who first brought regular offi-
cers in as instructors and 'Coaches' of the raw command. It was
he, who little by little, weaned 'the boys' from their first loves,
the tailed coat and plumed shakos and taught them to be men in
the regulation dress of the regular service. It was he who de-
vised the methods for the rapid mobilization of the Guard ; planned
their service, uniform and equipment ; exploded the old inspection
system and started the new one ; instituted the regimental camps
with 'regulars' as drill master and coaches ; originated the annual
conventions and has presided over their deliberations from that
time to this (1891), and it was he who fathered the impulse that
made practice with the rifle the most important item in the in-
struction of our guardsmen, and who was the leader in the move-
ment that secured to our state soldiery the admirable tract of land
for our encampments and the rifle ranges pronounced by every ex-
pert who has visited them unequalled in the whole country." Few
aside from General Chapman's intimate friends realized the diffi-
culties that had to be overcome in the re-organization of the Na-
tional Guard. The popular idea of the "Militia" was shown plainly
by Governor Rusk on an occasion when he was asked to co-operate
in an effort to get a much needed appropriation from the legislature.
His refusal to help was accompanied by the statement that "a few
companies of my old veterans are worth more than the whole
National Guard." It remained for the Milwaukee riots in 1885 to
prove the value of the National Guard, and in this connection a bit
of heretofore unwritten history may be interesting. A few think-
ing men had feared a riot for some time, but the large majority
believed that the trouble would soon blow over. The governor

164 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

made a personal investigation at South Milwaukee, and came home
with his famous remark, "These men need bread, not bullets." Be-
lieving this and perhaps fearing the effect of the order on the popu-
lar mind he naturally refused to approve an order for ammunition
which General Chapman wished to send in to the Rock Island
arsenal. Practically speaking there was no ammunition in the
armories ; and when the troops were finally rushed in on a night
call to save Milwaukee, there was not enough ammunition to serve
three rounds apiece to the men. If the rioters had known it they
had Milwaukee at their mercy and with this knowledge the scenes
that had only a short time before been enacted at Cincinnati wouLd
have been repeated, and probably with more violence, at Milwaukee.
General Chapman had, however, so firm a belief that there would
soon be trouble that when refused permission to order the ammuni-
tion that was so sorely needed, he wrote personally to the Rock
Island arsenal asking that an ample supply be placed in the ex-
press office ready for shipment on telegraphic order. This order
was not long delayed, for the trouble- in Milwaukee grew more
serious, the sheriff became unable to cope with the situation and
finally a hurried consultation resulted in a night call for the troops.
In a few hours they were pouring into Milwaukee and the law abid-
ing citizens breathed easier ; but the few who knew the facts in
regard to the ammunition supply worried through many anxious
hours before the trucks finally rolled in laden with the heavy
square boxes that meant so much to the city. It was unquestion-
ably this forethought that saved the day, for without this ammuni-
tion the troops could not have taken the march and fired the volleys
that broke the back of anarchv in Wisconsin. In the autumn of
1892 General Chapman was stricken with paralysis and was there-
after an invalid. Although he partially recovered his faculties and
spent much time in genealogical research and in his duties as re-
corder of the Loyal Legion, his public work was over. The fol-
lowing with much of the subject matter of this article was taken
from a memorial published in the proceedings of the Wisconsin
Historical Society: "He will long be remembered throughout the
state as a man of remarkable energy, splendid organizing abilities,
marked individuality, yet with a heart as gentle as his career was
spotless." In 1866 he was married to Miss Sarah Turner, daugh-
ter of Peter H. Turner, a pioneer of eastern Wisconsin. Mrs.
Chapman survives him with their daughter, Annie Turner, and
son. Chandler Burnell.

Captain William Charleton is now living retired in Madison after

BIOGRAPHICAL. 165

a most eventful and useful life spent in agricultural pursuits and
as a public official, and also as a defender of the flag during "the
days that tried men's soiils." He was born at County Armagh,
Ireland, October 11. 1831, and is the son of Andrew Donaldson and
Constantia (Jamison) Charleton, also natives of the same country.
The father removed his family to America in 1843, and then con-
tinued his migration westward, intending to locate in the state of
Michigan. Being informed that his proposed destination was an
unhealthy country he decided to come to Madison. Wis., then the
embryotic capital of a future state. On May 4, 1844, he landed
with his family at Milwaukee, in which place he remained until
July, and then went to Walworth county, locating eight miles east
of Whitewater. The father had previously selected a farm there,
but it not being as large as he desired he came to Dane county and
secured more land, in what is now the town of Verona. When
they entered the town of Verona it had not yet been named, and
only a few white settlers were to be found within the limits of that
congressional township. Those who were there had settled at
Verona Corners and were almost unanimously of the type known
as Pennsylvania Dutch, although a settlement of Scotch people was
found along the Sugar river in the west part of the township. In
the town of Verona, William Charleton, whose name introduces
this review, grew to manhood. He spent his early life on his
father's farm, attended the pioneer institutions of learning, and was
able to obtain a very good education. In 1852, having reached the
proud age of twenty-one years, he decided to seek a home further
west. He walked to Galena. 111., and there took a boat for St. Paul.
The government had just thrown open the Fort Snelling reserva-
tion, which now comprises Hennepin county, Minnesota. The gov-
ernment's price on the land was $1.25 per acre and Mr. Charleton
with many other prospective purchasers, waited at St. Paul, the
militia refusing to allow any one to cross the river. Where Min-
neapolis now stands there were then but a few small shanties, and
the home-seekers remained several weeks waiting to get to the land
office — and then were astonished and chagrined to learn that the
tract of land had been preempted on the steps of the capitol at
Washington, and had been bought by a half-dozen men, who im-
mediately raised the price to twelve dollars per acre. Mr. Charle-
ton returned to Galena, a sadder and wiser man. and from that
place walked home in two days, the distance being eighty miles.
He then entered eighty acres of land in the town of Verona (a farm
that he still owns) and began improving it. In those early days

166 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

there was very little money in circulation, there being nothing but
a little gold and silver coin, and it was almost impossible to raise
the money with which to pay taxes. Mr. Charleton cut wood and
hauled it to Madison, where he sold the same for $1.25 a cord, and
then was obliged to take his pay in flour and groceries. Just after
the completion of the railroad from Milwaukee to Madison he
hauled a load of wheat to the latter place, and he was among the
first to patronize the new market. But with all the drawbacks and
hardships of those early days, the neighbors were congenial and
were ever ready to divide with each other, and Mr. Charleton says
that he sometimes regrets that the good old days are gone. In addi-
tion to attending and improving his pioneer farm he commenced
teaching school in the town of Springdale and followed that occu-
pation during a portion of each year until the breaking out of the
Civil War. Mr. Charleton enlisted, on November 8, 1861, in Com-
pany B of the Eleventh Regiment Wisconsin Infantry as a private.
The first engagement in which he participated was on August 2.

1862, at Wilkinson's Plantation in Mississippi. By his soldierly
conduct he won the esteem of his superiors and by successive pro-
motions he reached the grade of second lieutenant on January 23,

1863, and served as such in the desperate battle of Port Gibson on
May 1, 1863, also at Willow Springs, Jackson, Miss., Champion's
Hill, Black River Bridge, and throughout the entire siege of Vicks-
burg, his company being continually on guard for fatigue duty.
During the siege of Jackson that followed the fall of Vicksburg he
was very active, and on July 14, 1863, was promoted to the rank of
first lieutenant. In February, 1864, he re-enlisted as a veteran and
took part in all the subsequent service of his regiment until the
final assault at Fort Blakeley, Ala., on April 9, 1865, when he was
severely wounded while leading his company against one of the
fortifications. He was sent to the hospital in New Orleans and
four weeks later came to Madison, but he joined the regiment
again in August, was promoted to captain of his company on Au-
gust 23, and served with his command until mustered out at Mobile,
Ala., September 4, 1865. Mr. Charleton then returned home and
at the autumn election was chosen as one of the Dane county repre-
sentatives in the general assembly, serving during the session of
1866. The following autumn he was elected county treasurer and
served two terms, and again in 1875 he was chosen as a member
of the general assembly. He also served one term as sheriff of the
county, during the years 1878-9. He joined the Republican party
when it was first organized in the capitol park at Madison, in July,

BIOGRAPHICAL. Ki?

1854, and affiliated with that political organization until within the
past few years, during which he has assumed an independent posi-
tion, supporting men and measures that meet his conscientious ap-
proval, regardless of the party guidon they may happen to bear.
He has served eighteen years, on the county board of supervisors,
having been first elected to that position in 1860, and after the close
of the war served continuously until 1878 ; and was again elected
to the same position in 1896. While holding public office at inter-
vals he studied law and became very proficient in the knowledge
of it. but he never practiced the profession, except to give advice
to friends, as he did not like the methods employed in the regular
practice. He says, however, that the fault lies more with the cli-
ents than with the attorneys, a fact that is quite generally recog-
nized. Mr. Charleton remembers well the first church built in the
town of Verona, and he attended the first meetings ever held
therein. He also listened to the first sermon delivered in the town
by Matthew Fox, an uncle of Dr. Philip Fox of Madison, and fre-
quently listened to the latter's father, who was a Methodist mis-
sionary. Rev. M. A. Fox organized the first church in what was
then known as the "Scotch Settlement" on Sugar river, and the
Methodists were organized about the same period. Our subject
remembers well one Sabbath when the Rev. M. A. Fox preached.
The church was too small for the large audience, so the meet-
ing was held out of doors in Mrs. Robinson's yard. While
the reverend gentleman was talking one of the good lady's hens
flew toward him. and Mr. Fox remarked to Mrs. Robinson, "The
Fox has scared your hens." In the Charleton family there were
eight children, but only four are now living, one of whom is the
subject of this review. Mr. Charleton was married on June 2,
I860, the lady of his choice being Miss Elizabeth Eleanor Fargo,
born in Erie county. Pa., April 15, 1837, the daughter of Robert
and Eleanor (Randall) Fargo. These parents are deceased, as aje
also all of their eleven children. Mrs. Charleton having passed away
February 3, 1899. As regards the ancestry of Mr. Charleton it was
commonly supposed to have been Scotch-Irish, but upon investi-
gation it was found that he was Xorman-French, his ancestors hav-
ing been in the north of Ireland for about four hundred years, and
they were there at the time of the Irish conquest. They came to
England with William, the Conqueror, and went to Ireland during
the reign of Henry the Second, with Strongbow. John Charleton,
an ancestor of our subject, was one of the first seventeen members
of the Order of the Garter. Six children were born to William

168 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Charleton and wife, of whom Amsley and Eleanor are deceased ;
William, Jr., resides at home ; as does also Fannie ; and Florence
and James are deceased. Mr. Charleton is a member of the Pres-
byterian church. He is a member of the G. A. R.

James Willis Chase is a representative of one of the honored
pioneer families of Dane county, where he has passed his entire life.
He is one of the extensive farmers and stock-growers of Bristol
township, is the owner of the well equipped grain elevator in the
village of Sun Prairie, where he is also interested in the lumber
business, and is one of the well known and popular citizens of this
section of the county. Mr. Chase was born on the old homestead
farm, in Bristol township, this county, September 27, 1852, being a
son of Moses and Sarah (Ives) Chase, the former of whom was
born in the village of Craftsbury, Orleans county, Vermont, in 1820,
while the latter was born in Erie county, New York, in 1830.
John Chase, grandfather of the subject of this review, was a scion
of a family founded in New England in the colonial days, and he
passed the closing years of his life in Orleans county, Vermont,
having been a farmer by vocation. The maternal grandfather.
Riley Ives, came from the state of New York to Wisconsin in an
early day, settling in Palmyra, Jefferson county, and continuing
resident of this state until the close of his life. Moses Chase was
reared and educated in Vermont and came to Wisconsin about
1850, settling in Bristol township, Dane county, where he reclaimed
a valuable farm, the same being now in the possession of his son,
subject of this review. He removed to Spokane, Washington, in
1898, and is there living retired, having acquired a competency.
He is a Republican in his political proclivities, and he and his wife
have long been members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
They became the parents of nine children, and three sons and two
daughters are now living. James W. Chase secured his rudi-
mentary education in the district schools, after which he attended
the high school in Sun Prairie and later was a student in the Uni-
versity of Wisconsin for one term. He was reared to the sturdy
discipline of the farm, and has never abated his allegiance to the
great basic art of agriculture, through his identification with which
he laid the foundation of his notable success. He now owns two
fine farms in Bristol township, the area of his landed estate being
five hundred and twenty acres, and he resides on one of the farms,
being engaged in diversified agriculture, including the raising of
tobacco upon a large scale, and in the raising of live stock. In
1897 Mr. Chase erected the grain elevator in Sun Prairie, and has

BIOGRAPHICAL. 169

since conducted the same, his eldest son, Frederick W., being now
associated with him in the enterprise, under the firm name of J. W.
Chase & Son. Mr. Chase owns a half interest in two tobacco
houses and is also engaged in the lumber business in Sun Prairie,
as a member of the firm of Chase, Gross & Mann. His homestead
farm, on which he resides, is one of the most attractive places in
this part of the county, having the best of improvements, including
a residence, one of the oldest brick houses in the section, which
is located one and one-half miles from Sun Prairie. Mr. Chase has
attained marked success as the result of his own well directed ef-
forts, being one of the substantial and influential citizens of the
county and commanding the esteem of all who know him. In
political affairs he is found stanchly aligned as a supporter of the
cause of the Republican party, and he served four successive terms
as supervisor of Bristol township, while he also served one term
as assessor. He has been treasurer of the Bristol Mutual Insur-
ance Company during the greater portion of the time since its
organization. In a fraternal way he is identified with the Modern
Woodmen of America. His wife is affiliated with the Catholic
church. In the year 1875 Mr. Chase was married to Miss Bern-
ardina Myer, who was born in Germany, in 1852, being a daughter
of Francis and Bernardina Myer, who emigrated from Germany
to America and took up their residence in Bristol township, this
county, about 1854, here passing the remainder of their lives. To
Mr. and Mrs. Chase have been born ten children, all of whom are
living, namely: Frederick W., Edith, Emma, Benjamin, Kate,
Philip, Sarah. George, Charles, and Beatrice.

Sidney A. Chase is recognized as one of the progressive business
men of the city of Stoughton, where he is a member of the firm of
Beattie & Chase, wood and coal dealers. Mr. Chase was born
in Rockton, Winnebago county, Illinois, September 30, 1846, be-
ing a son of Alonzo F. and Martha A. (Adams) Chase, both of
whom were born in New England, where the respective families
were founded in the colonial era of our national history. The par-
ents came from the state of New York to the west in 1844. locating
in Winnebago county, 111., where the father purchased one hundred
acres of land, later disposing of the property and removing to Oak
Park, Minn., where he likewise secured property, which he eventu-
ally sold, taking up his residence in Wauseon, that state, where he
passed the remainder of his life, as did also his wife. Of their two
children the subject of this sketch is the elder, his sister, Matilda,
being the widow of Charles M. Smith and being now a resident of

170 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Sioux Falls, S. D. Sidney A. Chase was reared to maturity in his
native county, where he received a common school education. While
still a young man he located at Clinton Junction, Wis., where he
engaged in the livery business, in which he there continued six
months, after which he was a resident of Evansville, this state,
for three years, and of Jefferson for one year. For the ensuing six
years he followed various lines of enterprise, in Wisconsin and
Michigan, and in 1877 he located in Stoughton, where he again es-
tablished himself in the livery business, in which he continued suc-
cessfully for fifteen years, after which he was clerk in a local hotel
for two years. In 1894 he engaged in his present business of deal-
ing in wood and coal. The firm of which he is a member controls
an excellent business and is one of the substantial concerns of the
sort in Dane county's second city. Mr. Chase was a soldier of the
Union during the last year of the Civil War, having enlisted, Au-
gust 1, 1864, as a private in Company B, One Hundred and Forty-
sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and having been but fifteen years
of age at the time. He continued in the service until the close of
the war, having received his honorable discharge July 25, 1865.
He is a stalwart supporter of the principles and policies of the Re-
publican party but has never been ambitious for office, though he
served one term as city assessor of Stoughton. He is a member of
the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the
Grand Army of the Republic. September 30, 1874, Mr. Chase was
united in marriage to Miss Ida M. Simpson, daughter of Robert and
Mary J. (Ranney) Simpson, of Yorkvillc, Michigan, and of this
union were born two sons, — Henry, who is deceased, and Frank,
who resides in Stoughton.

Andrew Christensen, of Stoughton, is established in a success-
ful business as a mason contractor and is a loyal and progressive
citizen. He was born in the town of Rudkjobing, Denmark. Aug-
ust 11, 1864, being a son of Christ and Annie (Jensen) Hansen,
who came to America in 1883, settling in Rutland township, Dane
county, Wisconsin, where the father turned his attention to agri-
cultural pursuits, in which he continued until his death, at the age
of seventy-nine years. His wife died at the age of seventy-two
years. Prior to coming to America he had followed the trade of
shipbuilding. Following is a brief record concerning his children :
Rasmus was killed in a railroad accident near Oregon, this county ;
Kate is the wife of Hans E. Christensen ; Lena is the wife of Hans
Hansen; Andrew is the subject of this sketch; Peter and Lewis
were both sailors and were drowned at sea. Andrew Christensen

BIOGRAPHICAL. 171

was reared to the age of nineteen years in his native land, where
he received his early educational training-. At the age noted he
accompanied his parents on their immigration to the United States.
In Dane county he learned the trade of plasterer and bricklayer,
and he continued to follow the same in Rutland township until
1900, when he located in Stoughton, where he has since been en-
gaged in business, having been an independent contractor since
1897. In politics he is arrayed as a supporter of the principles of
the Republican party, and in a fraternal relation he is affiliated
with Kosciusko Lodge, No. 73, Free and Accepted Masons, and
with the local organization of the Woodmen of America. He and
his wife are members of the Lutheran church. February 27, 1900,
Mr. Christensen was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Larsen,
daughter of Rasmus and Lena (Frederickson) Larsen, of Rutland
township, and of this union have been born two children, Vera and
Stanley.

James Christiansen, of Waunakee, is a native of Denmark, son of
Andrew and Margaret Christiansen. His father came to the United
States in 1868, and being satisfied after a two years residence that
the conditions of life were promising, returned to Denmark for his
family, with whom he settled in the town of Leeds, Columbia
county ; three years later he came to Vienna township, in Dane.
Later with all of the family with the exception of the son. James,
he moved to Nebraska, where he resides at the present time. He
is a considerable land owner there but has retired from the active
management of his farming property. He is independent in
politics, and is a member of the Lutheran church ; his wife, who
belonged to the same church, died in Nebraska in 1900. James
Christiansen was born in Denmark, December 29, 1861, and at-
tended the public schools of Leeds, Columbia county, and Vienna,
Dane county. He farms in a large way and owns in the towns of
Springfield and Vienna over a thousand acres of land. He began
life by working, for the long period of fourteen years, by the month,
and has acquired his property by his own industry coupled with
good business ability. He has made all the improvements on his
home farm, including the buildings which are all new. He is an
extensive raiser of tobacco, having, in 1905. forty acres. His
farm is stocked with short-horn cattle and Poland China hogs
Mr. Christensen is independent in politics and a prohibitionist
in sentiment; his church affiliations are with the Catholics. He
was married in 1886 to Miss Susie Diederick, born in Germany, of
German parentage. Peter Diederick, Sr.. her father, was a citizen

172 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

of Dane township from 1872 until 1905 when he moved to Spring-
field township. Mr. and Mrs. Christiansen have no children of
their own but have adopted three, Alvie, Hazel and Lillian.

Morten Christensen, a successful contractor and builder of the
city of Stoughton, is another of the honored citizens of Scandina-
vian birth who have assisted in the upbuilding of Dane county.
He was born near the city of Copehagen, Denmark, December 5,
1854, and is a son of Christian Anderson and Kavian (Mortenson)
Anderson. He was reared in his native land, where he received a
common-school education and where he served an apprenticeship
of ten years to the carpenter's trade. In 1882 he immigrated to
America, making his way directly to Stoughton, where he worked
at his trade as a journeyman for one year. In 1883 he went for a
trip through various sections of the west, finally locating in
Nebraska, where he remained three years, at the expiration of
which he returned to Denmark. In 1890 he came again to the
United States and resumed his residence in Stoughton, and for the
past fifteen years he has done a very prosperous business as a con-
tractor and builder, having a high reputation for reliability and
high-grade workmanship and having erected a number of churches
in this section of the county, besides business blocks and many
fine private residences in the city of Stoughton. In politics he
accords a stanch allegience to the Republican party, and in a frater-
nal way he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America, and
both he and his wife and daughter are members of Our Saviour's
Lutheran church. In 1891 Mr. Christensen was united in marriage
to Miss Karian Mortensen, who was born in Denmark, being a
daughter of Ole and Johanna (Nielson) Mortenson, and the only
living child of this union is the one daughter, Viola.

Christen Christenson is the head of the well known jewelry firm
of C. Christenson & Son, of Stoughton. and is one of the leading
business men and highly honored citizens of Dane county's at-
tractive second city. Mr. Christensen is a native of Norway, in
which fair land of the north he was born May 23, 1845, being a son
of Christen Hanson and Ann Marie (Ravn) Hanson. He was
reared to maturity in Norway, in whose schools he received his
early educational training. At the age of fifteen years he entered
upon an apprenticeship at the jeweler's trade, serving five years
with one firm and becoming a thoroughly skilled workman. At
the age of twenty years he engaged in business for himself, in
Hollen, where he met with due success under the conditions which
surrounded him. He there continued in business seventeen years,

BIOGRAPHICAL. 173

at the expiration of which, being convinced that superior opportu-
nities were to be had in America, he immigrated to this country
with his family. He took up his residence in Stoughton, where he
has since maintained his home and where he has gained success
and prominence as a business man, so that it is needless to say
that he has no regret for the decision which led him to leave his
native land and cast in his lot with that of Stoughton. Soon after
his arrival in this city he established himself in the jewelry bus-
iness, in which he has since continued, and he now has one of the
most attractive and finely equipped establishment of the sort in the
city, catering to a large and representative trade and having the
unqualified esteem of the community. It may be said without
fear of justified contradiction that he has one of the handsomest
retail jewelry stores to be found in this section of the state. In
February, 1893, Mr. Christenson admitted his eldest son, Trace, to
partnership, and the enterprise has since been conducted under the
firm name of C. Christenson & Son. In July, 1870, Mr. Christen-
son was united in marriage to Miss Liv Halverson, who was born
in the same district of Norway as was he himself, and to them have
been born six children : Hilda, who became the wife of Torlif
Berge, is now deceased ; Anna is the wife of John Edson ; George is
deceased ; Trace is associated with his father in business, as already
noted ; and the two younger children are Louisa and Halvor. Mr.
Christenson, in company with his wife, went to Norway in May,
1905, passing nearly a year in the land of his nativity and renewing
old acquaintances and associations ; they returned to Stoughton in
June, 1906, and here an equally cordial greeting was given them by
their many friends. In politics Mr. Christenson is independent.
His children are members of the First Norwegian Lutheran church
of Stoughton,

John Christianson, well-known farmer and business man of Christ-
iania, has owned his present home in the town of Christiania since
1883. Besides his general farming occupations he is extensively
interested in dairying and is secretary and treasurer of the Prairie
Queen creamery. He is also the local representative for several
steamship line. In 1899 he organized the Prairie Queen Telephone
Co..the first rural telephone of Dane county and is still its manager
and superintendent. Christian Paulson, his father, was born in
Nas Hedemarken, Norway, and there married Miss Olava Isaacs-
dotter. Mr. Paulson was a farmer and a brush-maker and spent his
entire life in Norway. After his death in 1856 Mrs. Paulson mar-
ried Mathias Jardsberg, with whom she came to the United States

174 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

in 1881. six children were born to the first marriage and three to
the second. Randina, the oldest, lives in Christiania; John is the
oldest son ; Paul resides in Edgerton ; Johanna in Christiania ;
Agnes in North Dakota ; Christian at Sumner, Wis. ; Martin in
Christiania ; Ole in Cambrdge and Julia in Chippewa county. Wis.
John was born in Nas Hedemarken, Norway, January 10, 1848,
attended school in Norway and left home when he was eight years
old. Until he was eighteen he worked out and then he came to
America. For a time he worked for Halvor Kravick of Christ-
iania, raised tobacco and farmed on shares. In 1881 he sent to Nor-
way for his mother, step-father and the younger children and in 1883
was able to purchase his home in section 10. All of the improve-
ments on the farm have been made by Mr. Christianson, whose
active and industrious life has been rewarded by success. He is a
Republican in political affiliations and has served as justice of the
peace for a number of years and as assessor. October 1, 1880, he
married Miss Susan Johnson of Voss, Norway, and nine children
were born to the marriage. Caius and Oscar, the older sons, are
engaged in the creamery business in Rutland township. Sarah re-
sides in Madison, Wis. Julia lives in Cambridge. Ruth, Stella,
Alvin, Herbert and Arthur are at home. Mrs. Christianson died in
1902 and Mr. Christianson married Marie Monson of Nas, Norway,
in August, 1904. One son of this marriage, Marion Harold, was
born in 1905. The family attend the Lutheran church of Cam-
bridge.

Darwin Clark. — The history of a community, of a state, of a na-
tion, is chiefly the chronicles of the lives and deeds of those who
have conferred honor and dignity upon society, whether in the
broad sphere of public labors or in the more circumscribed but
not less worthy and valuable realm of individual activity through
which the public good is promoted. The name borne by the sub-
ject of this memoir is one which has stood exponent of the most
sterling personal characteristics, the deepest appreciation of the
rights and privileges of citizenship in our great republic, and is
one which hs been connected with the annals of the city of Mad-
ison from the practical inception of its history. A strong man and
true was Darwin Clark, and he left upon the history of the capital
city the definite impress of exalted integrity and worthy accom-
plishment, having resided here continuously for a period of sixty-
two years, and up to the time when he was summoned into eternal
life, February 11, 1899. Mr. Clark Was born in Otego, Oswego
county, New York, May 12. 1812, being a son of Isaac and Eunice

BIOGRAPHICAL. 175

(Davis) Clark, the former of whom was born in Sturbridge,
Worcester county. Massachusetts, September IT, 1783, and the lat-
ter in Schrewsbury, Rutland county, Vermont, February 22, 1790.
The respective families were founded in New England in the early
colonial epoch, and authentic records show that both the paternal
and maternal grandfathers of Mr. Clark were loyal soldiers in the
Continental line during the War of the Revolution. His parents
were persons of intelligence and sterling character, and his child-
hood and youth were thus compassed by beneficent home influences;
he was reared to be God-fearing, honest and honorable, self-reliant
and industrious, tolerant and kindly, and throughout his long and
useful life he never swerved in the least from the dominating prin-
ciples which were thus early instilled into his receptive and appre-
ciative mind. After being afforded the advantages of the common
schools of his native town he put his scholastic requirements to
practical test and utilization, teaching three successive winters in
country schools and then entering upon an apprenticeship at the
trade of cabinet-making at which he became a skilled artisan. He
continued to follow his trade as a vocation until he had attained his
legal majority, when his aggressive spirit prompted him to move
to the wonderful west and cast in his lot with its pioneers. It may
safely be said that he never regretted the choice which led him to
establish his home in Madison, as one of the first settlers of the
beautiful lake-ensconced city. The long and weary journey was
made by sailing vessel on the Great Lakes and by means of the
other primitive conveyances of the day, and he arrived in what is
now the city of Milwaukee, May 26, 1837. Madison had been se-
lected as the capital of the newly organized territory of Wisconsin,
the site of the city having then been marked by a solitary log cabin.
Soon after his arrival in Milwaukee, Mr. Clark was engaged with
the little party of pioneers who came to Madison to erect the first
capitol building, arriving at his destination at ten o'clock in the
morning of June 10, 1837. Another publication has gracefully
spoken of this journey and Mr. Clark's identification with the same,
in the following words : "The weather had been very
unfavorable for this band of pioneers, but when Madison
was but a few miles distant the sun burst fortfh in splendor
and Mr. Clark named the spot his party had just reached
'Sun Prairie,' which has since been a familiar name." From
that time forward until his death Mr. Clark knew no other
home than Madison, and he witnessed the development of the beau-
tiful "Citv of the Lakes'' from the unbroken wilderness, contribu-

176 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

ting his full share to the civic and material upbuilding of the place
in which his pride and his affection centered. A kindly, Christian
gentleman, who believed in doing good to the community in which
he lived, his steady determination never to be a drone in the civic
hive made him a beneficent force in many directions. If his exam-
ple were followed generally by men of wealth and business stand-
ing there would be no lack of power behind any public movement
leading in the direction of advancement and better government
based on better citizenship. Mr. Clark was in close touch with the
community through all its early years and struggles, holding many
offices, public and private. He was instrumental in laying out and
beautifying Forest Hill cemetery, which name he suggested, and
in this consecrated spot he now rests. Mr. Clark was a distinct
individual and was in many ways a remarkable man. No shadow
of wrong or suspicion of evil ever rested upon his reputation in any
of the relations of life ; kindness and tolerance dwelt with him as
constant guests, equivocation or compromise with conscientious
conviction were innately impossible with him. In his life and char-
acter lie lessons of inspiration and incentive, and his name merits
a high place on the roster of the honored pioneers of the city, the
county and the state. About 1846 he embarked in the furniture
business. In that year he went to Chicago and bought a load of
chairs, which was his first stock of furniture not made in his own
shop. Through legitimate business enterprise he accumulated a
competency and was ever ready to lend his aid and influence in
support of all measures tending to conserve the general welfare.
He was a Democrat in his political allegience, and he was called to
many offices of public trust and responsibility, having ever com-
manded the unqualified confidence and esteem of the comunity. He
was a member of the board of aldermen for four years, was presi-
dent of the city council one year, was for some time an active and
valued member of the board of education, and in 1860 was acting
mayor of the capital city. He was an attendant of the Protestant
Episcopal church, and aided liberally in the upbuilding of the par-
ish and the edifice of Grace church. On August 31, 1848, was sol-
emnized the marriage of Mr. Clark to Miss Sarah L. Goodnow,
who was born in Webster, Monroe county, N. Y., and who died in
Madison, March 5. 1854. The only child of this union was Edward,
who was born on May 1, 1850, and who died on August 19, of the
following year.On May 20, 1858, Mr. Clark was united in marriage
to Miss Frances Ann Adams, who was born in Akron, Ohio. Tan
nary 16, 1833, being a daughter of Harry and Julia Ann (Mew ell)

BIOGRAPHICAL. 177

Adams, the former of whom was born in Panton, Addison county,
Yt., December 6. 1806, and the latter in Elizabethtown, Essex
county, N. Y., July 21, 1813. The father died April 18, 1868, at
Vergennes, Yt., and his wife survived him by many years, her death
occurring in Madison, Wis., August 2, 1904. at the advanced age
of ninety-one years. Mr. Clark lived over fifty years in the old
homestead on Webster street ; several years after his death Mrs.
Clark built the beautiful home at 105 East Wilson street, where she
expects to spend the rest of her life. Mr. Clark built the block at
the corner of Webster and Main streets in 1879, and many years
previous to that date he built the store at 118 East Main street, in
which he engaged in the furniture business for more than forty
years. The two daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Clark are still living.
The elder, Frances Louise, married Paul Holmes Wood of New Jer-
ssey, and is the mother of two children, Harold Paul and Henrietta
Holmes. The younger daughter, Grace, is the wife of Frederic
King Conover, of Madison, the official reporter of the Wisconsin
supreme court, and they have four children. — Frederic LeRoy,
Marion Clark, Julian Darst and Daphne Grace.

Hamilton G. Clark, one of the successful and popular farmers
of Cottage Grove township, is a representative of one of the hon-
ored pioneer families of this section of the county. He was born on
the homestead farm, in section 9, Cottage Grove township, April
10, 1852, being a son of James and Margaret (Clark) Clark, both
of whom were natives of County Down, Ireland, where the former
was born in 1819, and the latter in 1818. Their marriage was solem-
nized in Ireland, whence they immigrated to the United States in
1847, landing in New York city, where they resided some time.
In 1849 they came to Dane county, where the father was employed
at farm work until 1852, when he secured a tract of school land, in
section 16, Cottage Grove township. He developed the property
into a good farm and there passed the remainder of his life, his
death occurring in 1888, at which time he owned one hundred and
ninety-two acres. He achieved a competency through earnest and
honest endeavor, and he ever retained the confidence and esteem of
his fellow men. His devoted wife survived him by more than a
decade, her death occurring in 1901. Both were zealous members
of the Presbyterian church. Concerning their children the follow-
ing brief data are entered : John died at the age of twenty-two
years; Hamilton G., subject of this review, was the next in order
of birth ; Mary A. is the wife of D. W. Houston, of Cottage Grove
township; Martha J. is the wife of J. D. Van Arnam and they re-
12— iii

178 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

side in the village of Cottage Grove ; James died at the age of three
years ; William R. resides on the old homestead farm, in Cottage
Grove township ; Maggie and Nancy were twins, the former being
the wife of James E. Showers, of Cottage Grove township, and
the latter, who died in 1890, was the wife of R. J. Arthur. Hamil-
ton G. Clark was reared on the home farm and his early educational
advantages were those afforded by the public schools of the local-
ity. He remained with his parents until he had attained to the
age of twenty-four years, when he married. He then rented land
in Cottage Grove township and began his independent career as
a farmer, in 1875. He farmed on rented land about four years and
then purchased his present well-improved homestead of one hun-
dred and seventeen acres, in section 10, Cottage Grove township,
the place having formerly been known as the Thomas Dailey farm.
Mr. Clark erected the present buildings, including the modern two-
story frame residence, a barn thirty-six by eighty-four feet in di-
mensions, a tobacco shed twenty-six by seventy feet and other
excellent farm buildings. He gives his attention to diversified
farming and stock-growing, making a specialty of raising tobacco
and also raising hogs somewhat extensively. Since 1895 Mr. Clark
has devoted considerable of his time and attention to the buying
of grain and live stock, being at the present time associated with
his brother, William R. in this line of enterprise. He now resides
in the village of Cottage Grove, having turned the active man-
agement of the farm over to his younger son. Mr. Clark has long
been influential in public affairs in his township and has been
called upon to serve in offices of local trust, his preferment indicat-
ing the esteem in which he is held in the community. He was in-
cumbent of the office of township treasurer two terms, was town-
ship clerk one term, and four terms he served as chairman of the
township board, being thus ex officio member of the county board
of supervisors. In politics he is a stanch adherent of the Demo-
cratic party. December 10, 1874. Mr. Clark was united in mar-
riage to Miss Eliza Dailey, who was born in Cottage Grove town-
ship, July 1, 1853, being a daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Lemon)
Dailey, sterling pioneers of the township. Of the children of Mr.
and Mrs. Clark it may be recorded that Mabel, who was born Feb-
ruary 8, 1877, is the wife of Henry M. Derleth, of Cottage Grove
township, and they have one child, Clark F. ; James H., who was
born September 4. 1879, remains at the parental home; and
Wayne J., who was born June 22, 1884, has charge of the home-
farm ; he married Miss Gheah Rinden.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 179

Samuel Clarke is a well-known farmer of Albion, son of John G.
and Harriet Clarke, who came to Wisconsin in 1842 from York-
shire, England. A brother of John G. Clarke, Samuel, had pre-
ceded them two years before and obtained a farm in section 15,
town of Albion, where he was joined in 1842 by his brother, John,
and his parents, James and Judith Ann (Hobson) Clarke. James
Clarke landed in New York city with his family after a perilous
voyage of many weeks on an old sailing vessel, came by way of
the Great Lakes to Milwaukee and thence with ox teams to Albion.
A farm of two hundred and forty acres was purchased by James
Clarke, and father and sons set bravely to work to clear and im-
prove their property. In England James was employed as head
book-keeper in a cotton factory where John also worked and no one
of the family had ever been a farmer. The difficulties of the new
country were many even to experienced farmers, but thrift and
energy triumphed over obstacles which would have discouraged
less persevering men, and the Clarkes were successful from the
beginning of their life in America. Seven children were born to
Mr. and Mrs. John G. Clarke: Judeth Ann Craig; Hannah Croft;
James, a farmer in Rock county, Wis. ; Matilda, who is married
and lives in Rock county, Wis. ; Samuel, the subject of this sketch
and Clara, who is Mrs. Thomas Pierce of Albion. Samuel was
born in Albion, attended the district schools and the Albion
academy and early interested himself in farming. The farm origi-
nally obtained by James Clarke was purchased by his son John
and its management succeeded to his son Samuel, who now owns
it and has added to it another eighty acre tract which he bought
in 1897. About one hundred acres are under ' cultivation and an
extensive general farming business is carried on. Mr. Clarke is
interested in stock-raising, has a fine herd of cattle, a considerable
number of horses and pure-bred hogs. As a young man he learned
the carpenter's trade but has always preferred to give most of his
attention to farming and keeps well posted on up-to-date farming
methods. Mr. Clarke is a school director and has held other local
offices. He is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Repub-
lican party. Mr. Clarke has been twice married. His first wife
was Miss Louisa Dickinson. In 1895 he married Mrs. Clara L.
Stronse, widow of Samuel Stronse. Five children blessed the sec-
ond marriage ; Beulah Leora, Ruth Eveline, Violet Gertrude, Edna
Louise andv John Warren. Three children were born to Mrs.
Clarke by her former marriage ; Ethel May. Norman and Lyman.
The family attend the Primitive Methodist church of Albion of

180 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

which John G. Clarke and his brother, Samuel, were among the
first members.

J. Frank and Charles E. Cleary are the men, who under the firm
name of Cleary Bros, conduct one of the large, farming interests of
the county, at Sun Prairie, Wis. They are sons of Patrick and
Mary (Nolan) Cleary. Both parents were born in Ireland, the
former, November 15, 1833, and the latter August 5, 1835. The
paternal grandfather, James Cleary, was born in Ireland and in
1851 came to America, settling in Onondago county, New York.
In 1854 he removed to Dane county, Wis., where he died in 1876.
His wife was Mary Kennedy, who died in Ireland previous to his
removal to this country. Their son, Patrick, the father of Frank
and Charles was educated in Ireland and came to this country
with his father about the time of his majority. For several years
he was employed in Sun Prairie by Col. W. Ff. Angel, but in 1863
he removed (to Bristol, where he purchased eighty acres of land,
adding to his holdings until he possessed three hundred and thirty
acres. He was married October 29, 1863, and died at his home in
Dane county, December 14, 1894. In politics he was an independ-
ent. He and his family were members of the Sacred Heart church
of Sun Prairie. The old homestead formed the nucleus of the fine
farm of three hundred and thirty acres now owned and operated
by Cleary brothers. As boys they were educated in the common
schools of this district and at Sacred Heart college in Watertown
In addition to the possession of a large number of short-horned
cattle the Cleary brothers are interested in dairying and are also
extensive feeders of cattle. Charles is treasurer of the North Bris-
tol creamery association. In politics both belong to the Demo-
cratic party. Frank has served as justice of the peace, was town
clerk for six years, and is now serving his second term as chairman
of the town. Like their parents their church affiliations are Cath-
olic. Members of the family of Patrick Cleary are as follows :
J. Frank was born June 19, 1868, and is a member of the firm of
Cleary Bros. ; Dr. B. L. was born August 10, 1870, educated in
Stoughton college, and graduated from Rush Medical college in
1900, and now practices his profession at Edgerton, Wis. ; Nettie,
born November 5, 1873, is now Mrs. George Schernecker of Madi-
son, Wis. ; George, born August 10, 1875,' is a farmer of Bloomer,
Wis. ; Charles E., born March 2, 1878, belongs to the firm of Cleary
Bros. Frank is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. The
firm of Cleary brothers is recognized as a standard trade-mark of

BIOGRAPHICAL. 181

sincerity and honesty and this has been one of the major reasons
for the business success of the partners.

William Coffey, deceased, for many years a farmer of the town
of Cottage Grove, was born in Boston, Mass.. July 22, 1840. His
parents were Patrick and Annastasia (Lantry) Coffey, both natives
of Ireland. The family immigrated to the United States when Mr.
Coffey was a boy, coming directly to Cottage Grove township,
where they entered two eighties of government land. The old
folks lived the balance of their lives in Cottage Grove. What op-
portunities Mr. Coffey had for obtaining an education were very
limited, being only those afforded by the district schools of Cottage
Grove. During the early part of his manhood he traveled much.
After his marriage he earned a livelihood for himself and family
by working land on shares for several years, managing, by frugal-
ity and hard work, to accumulate sufficient money to purchase one
hundred acres of land, where the widow and family now reside.
Politically he was a Democrat and as such served his town as asses-
sor and justice of the peace. His religious affiliations were with
the Catholic church. On February 20, 1865, Mr. Coffey married
Susan Ann Reynolds, daughter of Daniel and Mary Ellen (Rey-
nolds) of the town of Cottage Grove. (For further mention of
Mrs. Coffey's family see the sketch of Daniel Reynolds). Five
children blessed this union — Mary Ellen, born December 16, 1865,
the wife of John Coughlin of Cottage Grove ; William James, born
November 14, 1867, a carpenter by trade, married Catherine Mur-
phy, and is now a resident of Yale, S. D. ; Daniel Edward, born
May 29, 1871, a carpenter by trade and an accomplished violinist,
lives at home; John Albert, born December 29, 1878, lives at home;
and Susan Ann, born September 30, 1881. The youngest daughter
is a teacher ; she received her preparatory education in the district
school of the town of Cottage Grove and was given a teacher's
certificate at the Whitewater Normal school five years ago, since
which time she has been engaged in her profession. All the chil-
dren are musically inclined, and all play some instrument, violin or
piano. Miss Susie plays both the piano and violin. Mr. Coffey
died April 10, 1897. He was a sterling, upright citizen, of frugal
habits, a man much admired and respected by all with whom he
came in contact.

Charles J. Coggins is a highly respected citizen and office-holder
in the town of Fitchburg, where he has had his residence for the
past sixteen years. He was born in western Northamptonshire,
England, on May 19, 1861, and is one of five children born to Henry

182 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

and Elizabeth (Bonham) Coggins, the mother and four children
still residing in the mother country and the father being deceased.
The father of our subject was a farmer by occupation and the latter
was reared in the quiet surroundings of a country life. He re-
ceived his education in the common schools of his native country,
and at the age of twenty years, in April, 1881, he migrated to the
United States and located at Cold Springs, Jefferson county, Wis.
There he remained until the spring of 1890. engaged in farming,
and then came to Dane county and settled in the town of Fitch-
burg, where he has resided ever since. After coming to Fitchburg,
in partnership with Charles Parish he purchased one hundred and
forty acres of land, and two years later bought an additional one
hundred and fifty acres, which joined the original purchase. In
December, 1901, they sold this large tract of land and purchased
the place where they now reside, which comprises two hundred and
and seventy-three acres of well improved land. Aside from the
business of general farming they make a specialty of raising cattle,
sheep, and hogs, in the live stock line, and they are also extensive
growers of tobacco. Mr. Goggin's success -is very gratifying to
himself and his many friends, as he started in life with compara-
tively nothing, and has reached his present status by hard work
and intelligent management of affairs. He is a Republican in his
political affiliations, has served in the responsible position of super-
visor of the town of Fitchburg, and at the present time is treasurer
of school district No. 6. His fraternal associations are expressed
by membership in the lodge of Modern Woodmen of America at
Verona. Mr. Coggins was married on June 10, 1886, selecting as
his helpmate Miss Lucy Higbee, daughter of George and Serena
(Ransom) Higbee, natives of the state of New York. These par-
ents were early settlers in Jefferson county, coming there several
years before the Civil War. Later they entered eighty acres of
government land, near Cooktown in Rock county, and the father
always followed farming as an occupation. Both of these parents
are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Coggins there have been born
six children, the two older ones having been born in Jefferson
county and the others in the town of Fitchburg. Their names fol-
low: Edith, Harry. Minerva, Glenn, Winnie and Edna, all living
at home. Charles Parish, who is associated with Mr. Coggins in
the extensive farming operations referred to, was born, September
14, 1856, at Coldspring, Jefferson county, Wis., and is the son of
George and Sarah (Coggins) Parish, natives of England who came
to the United States about 1846 and settled in Jefferson county,

BIOGRAPHICAL. 183

Wis. There they preempted eighty acres of government land and
experienced all the trials and surmounted the difficulties that pre-
sent themselves in a pioneer life. The father and mother have both
been dead for many years. Charles Parish, their son, was educated
in his native town of Coldspring. and in 1890 accompanied Mr.
Coggins to the town of Fitchburg in Dane county, where they have
been equal partners in business ever since, Mr. Parish being a
member of the Coggin's home circle. Although nature endowed
him with a small stature and limited the possibilities of his physical
development, yet he is possessed of more than the ordinary mental
qualifications, and the deficiency in brawn is more than offset by a
good supply of brain power. He was reared and baptized in the
Episcopal faith and still maintains his membership in that denomi-
nation. He has never married.

John Lewis Colby is as yet a comparatively young man, but he
has achieved a degree of success in his undertakings that is usually
only attained by men after years of strenuous endeavor. Mr.
Colby was born in the town of Oregon, Dane county, on August
27, 1862, and he is the eldest son of Romanzo H. Colby, who is
given a more extended mention on another page of this volume,
which is devoted to biographical and genealogical review. Our
subject received his education in the district schools of Oregon and
at Evansville, and remained with his father upon the farm until
he had attained to his legal majority. He then worked one of his
father's farms during the summer and officiated as a school teacher
in the winter. At the age of twenty-two he purchased eighty acres
of land where the Story postoffice now stands, and he owned and
managed this farm until 1904, teaching school also twelve winters
in succession, at Mt. Horeb two years and in the town of Verona
one term, the remainder of his pedagogic work being in his native
town of Oregon. On March 1, 1896, he purchased the general
store business of N. E. Lamb, with postoffice in connection, at
Story, and continued that business for nine years, when he sold
out and removed his family to Wingra Park in order that his chil-
dren might have the superior educational advantages there afforded.
In 1903 he purchased one hundred and twenty-seven and one-half
acres of land, in Oregon, lying just across the road from the home
of his father, and he still owns the place, although not personally
engaged in its cultivation. He purchased the general mercantile
establishment at Wingra Park in April, 1906, and is catering to the
trade of that vicinity in a way that is satisfactory to his many
patrons and remunerative to himself. Mr. Colby was married,

184 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

November 12. 1891, and the maiden name of his wife was Elona
Burd. who was born in the town of Verona, March 11, 1864. She
is one of nine children born to William R. and Eliza A. (Mutchler)
Burd, highly esteemed residents of Verona. The names of the
children in the Burd family, with other facts concerning them, are
thus given : Maggie married W. W. Morse and resides in Bar-
aboo. Wis. ; Gertrude is deceased ; Lucella married Willis Morse
and resides in Madison ; Emma is deceased ; Elona is the wife of
the subject of this review ; Hattie married Robert I. Harvey and
resides in Chicago ; Sarah married O. W. Donkle and resides in
Black Earth, Wis. ; Leslie O. resides in Belleville, a biographical
sketch of whom appears in this volume ; and Clinton B. married
Frankie Case and resides in Brooklyn. To Mr. and Mrs. Colby
there have been born three children : Grace, Helen Maud, and
Harold Leslie. In political affairs Mr. Colby maintains an inde-
pendent attitude, giving his support to men and measures as they
meet the approval of his enlightened judgment, regardless of the
party emblem they may bear. The confidence of the public in his
integrity and ability has been attested on several occasions. He
had charge of the Story postoffice in the town of Oregon eight
years, until it was abolished by the location of the rural route, and
he filled the responsible position of justice of the peace for the
same length of time. He was also secretary and treasurer of the
Story Creamery Company for several years. His religious faith is
that which is taught by the Methodist church, and in this as in
other matters he gives a hearty and unselfish support.

Romanzo H. Colby is another of the substantial citizens of the
town of Oregon, who, by his industry and honorable methods has
won for himself a reasonable competence and the respect and es-
teem of all who know him. He was born in Erie county, N. Y.,
on February 18. 1839, and his parents — Giles and Julia (Childs)
Colby — were also natives of the Empire state. Our subject at-
tended the district schools in the place of his birth until nine years
of age, when, in 1848, the family removed to Wisconsin and settled
near Mt. Zion, in Rock county, and he finished his education there.
The father rented a farm on Rock Prairie, where he remained two
or three years, and then moved his family to Monticello, where for
two years he worked a farm on shares, and then moved to a farm
in Rutland township. Dane county. He remained at the latter place
about two years, and then moved to Exeter, in Green county, where
the father, mother and oldest son died of typhoid fever, in 1854,
the father being fifty-five years old at the time of his death. After

BIOGRAPHICAL. 185

this sad breaking of the home circle the remaining members of the
family became scattered, and the surviving sons came to the town
of Oregon, where the subject of this review commenced working
by the month as a farm hand and continued so engaged for seven
years, after which he began farming independently. But the tocsin
of war soon called him from his peaceful pursuits, and on February
22, 1864, he enlisted as a private in Company I of the Thirty-sixth
Regiment Wisconsin Infantry. This regiment was organized at
Camp Randall, Madison, under the supervision of Col. Frank A.
Haskell, and it left the state on May 10, 1864. With the regiment
Mr. Colby participated in the fighting about Spotsylvania Court-
house, the second battle of Cold Harbor, and on the Jerusalem
plank road. In the latter engagement, on June 22, 1864, he was
severely wounded, receiving a bullet through his left arm, which
made it necessary to have a part of the bone removed, and he was
sent back to the Harwood hospital at Washington. He was trans-
ferred to the veteran reserve corps on January 18, 1865, and was
mustered out on February 9, following, on account of the disabil-
ity caused by the wound. Mr. Colby has a picture, which he re-
ceived in July, 1864, representing a view of the hospital where he
was confined. After his discharge from the army he purchased
ninety acres of land, lying east of his present residence, and built
a dwelling house thereon in 1866. He then sold that property and
purchased the place where he now resides. He has always fol-
lowed the occupation of a farmer, and in that exclusive line of work
has achieved flattering success, wholly unaided, excepting by the
wise counsels and encouragement of a faithful wife. Mr. Colby
now possesses two hundred and sixty acres of land. There were
five children born to the parents of the subject of this review, and
of these four are still living: Henry M. resides at Scranton, la.;
Lorenzo, who is the twin brother of our subject, resides in Tuscola
county, Mich. ; and G. S. Colby resides at Willamette, Ore. Mr.
Colby was married in the month of June, 1863, to Miss Louise
Faulkes, daughter of John and Nancy (Ford) Faulkes, of the city
of New York. She is one of a family of seven children, six of
whom are living: Charles resides in Leroy. la.; Anna is now Mrs.
Smith and resides at North Chicago ; George resides on a farm near
the subject of this review; and Emma resides in North Chicago.
Mr. and Mrs. Colby are the parents of eight children, the names
and other information concerning whom follow : John L. married
Elona Bird and resides in Wingra Park; Nona E. married Charles
Baldwin, of Madison, and is now deceased ; Ralph F. married

186 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Emma Balfour and resides in the village of Oregon ; Gertrude mar-
ried Ira Dalrymple and resides in Belleville ; Charles Edward is
deceased ; Charles C. resides with his father ; Arthur A. married
Jane Leslie and resides on a farm near his father ; Grace E. died
in infancy. Mr. Colby is a Republican in his political affiliations,
and has served one term on the Oregon town board. In religious
faith he is a Spiritualist. ■'

William Chelis Colby is now living retired in a beautiful home
in South Madison after a career of more than ordinary usefulness,
divided between the occupations of railroading and farming. He
was born in the village of Salisbury, Merrimack county, N. H., on
February 5, 1830, and is the only survivor of a family of three chil-
dren born to William and Sophia (Mason) Colby, both of the par-
ents being natives of Warner, N. H. Our subject attended the
common schools of his native place and at the early age of sixteen
years began life as a workman on railroads. He came to Wiscon-
sin in 1854, and his first employment in the Badger state was in
the construction work on the Milwaukee road from Prairie du Chien
to Milwaukee, in which he continued for fifteen years, during the
last seven years of which he had entire charge of the construction
work. He was then employed as a conductor for about seven
years, but because of failing health he quit the railroad business
and purchased a farm in the town of Madison, the place known as
the old VanBergen farm, and he resided thereon twenty-seven
years, engaged in general farming and stock-growing. He then
sold his farm and purchased other property from his wife's parents,
also situated in the town of Madison, and he resided there until
1902, when he sold out to the company that erected the Battle
Creek Sanitarium on Lake Monona. Mr. Colby then purchased
fifteen acres of land in South Madison, where he built a beautiful
home in which he now resides. In his political views the subject
of this review gives an unswerving allegiance to the time-honored
principles of the Democratic party, and his personal worth and
ability has been recognized by his fellow citizens in a substantial
way. He has held the office of supervisor, representing the town
of Madison on the county board of which he is the present chair-
man, and has also filled the responsible position of assessor seven
terms. Fraternally he holds membership in the Masonic lodge of
the city of Madison. Mr. Colby was married on March 7, 1864,
and the lady of his choice was Miss Hannah Lawrence, a native of
London, England, where she was born, August 14, 1841. Her par-
ents were Thomas Saffre and Charlotte (Scott) Lawrence, who

BIOGRAPHICAL. 187

migrated to America and were respected citizens of the town of
Madison. They became the parents of twelve children, six of
whom are living: John Thomas resides in the city of Madison;
Hannah is the wife of the subject of this review; Thomas resides in
Denver; Richard resides in New York; Charlotte married a Mr.
Phillips and resides in San Francisco; and George resides in the
city of Madison.

Charles MacLain Colladay, a retired resident of the city of Madi-
son, is a descendant of a long line of Colladays of Pennsylvania.
Charles Colladay, son of Jacob Colladay, was born in Philadelphia,
June 17, 1764. On July 27, 1786. Charles Colladay and Ann Mac-
Lain) were united in marriage. Ann MacLain was born June 4,
1767. The youngest child of Charles and Ann Colladay was
born April 12, 1809, and was named William MacLain Colladay. In
course of time William McLain Colladay married Mary Ann Kirk
(born May 19. 1814.) and with his bride started for Canada imme-
diately after the wedding, which occurred May 29, 1832. Not hav-
ing sufficient money to pay two fares, the bride rode and the groom
walked the entire distance. From Canada the young couple drifted
to Illinois, where for several years Mr. Colladay was mail carrier,
transporting the mail between Aurora and Chicago, and making
the journey on foot. In the early forties the Colladays came to
the town of Dunn. There was but one other family in the town-
ship at the time, — the Wetherbys, who later moved to California.
Starvation seemed to stare them in the face on their arrival on the
banks of Lake Kegonsa. Mrs. Colladay was so weak from hun-
ger that she could proceed no farther. Her husband in search for
food came upon a school of suckers crowded into a small bay of the
lake. With a pitchfork he gathered enough of the fish to last for
some time. Mrs. Colladay preserved them by putting them up in
a brine of her own make. A few days later Mr. Colladay killed
two deer with one shot, and the venison and the fish lasted through
the winter. In the spring the husband obtained work in Stoughton
as a carpenter, walking six miles night and morning in order to
comply with the provisions of the homestead law. The first frame
house erected in Stoughton was built by Mr. Colladay; the first
bridge across the Rock river on the road between Madison and
Janesville and the first saw and grist mills of the vicinity were his
handiwork. After seven years he had fulfilled the requirements
of the homestead law and he settled down to farming, which. occu-
pation he followed until his death, which occurred November 26,
1893. He always took an active part in politics. He was a Repub-

188 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

lican and he served two terms in the assembly and two in the
senate. He held a great many local offices in the town of Dunn ;
he served as justice of the peace in the early days and performed
many marriage ceremonies. He had added to the farm until it
contained some five hundred acres of excellent land. Mrs. Colla-
day passed away February 12, 1876. It was through Mr. Colladay
that the Masonic lodge of Stoughton obtained its charter, he hav-
ing walked to Milwaukee and advanced the money to obtain it.
He was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows
of Stoughton. To Mr. and Mrs. Colladay thirteen children were
born — Amanda, born March 2, 1833, in Grenville, Ontario, where
she died a year later; John B., born March 16, 1836, died September
30, 1865 ; Sarah Ann, born January 26. 1838, died March 4, 1841 ;
Emma Jane, (now Mrs. T. P. Camp of Portage. Wis.,) born No-
vember 22, 1840 ; George W., born November 28, 1842, died July 6,
1862 while serving in the army ; Theodore A., born February 28,
1844, died November 17, 1881; Alva W., born January 28, 1846,
lives in Northwood, la. ; Forest H., born April 21, 1848, lives in
Madison; Alvira (Mrs. James Bean, of Aberdeen, Cal.), born April
23, 1850; Alice A.. (Mrs. William Keenan of the town of Dunn),
born February 21, 1852 ; William E., born March 25, 1854, resides
in Washington, D. C. ; Dora A., (Mrs. Charles Moore of Waterloo,
la.), born October 15, 1856; and Charles M., born October 21, 1858.
It is said that Alva W. Colladay was the first white child born in
the town of Dunn.

Charles MacLain Colladay was seventeen years of age when he
began life for himself. For several years he worked the father's
farm on shares, and upon the father's death in 1893 he purchased
of the other heirs a clear title to one hundred and thirty acres of
the state. In 1899 he retired, and built the beautiful residence at
325 West Washington avenue where he now makes his home. The
family spends the winters in Madison and returns to the
farm in the summer, where Mr. Colladay conducts a high-
class summer resort. He has about one and one-half miles
lake front of Lake Kegonsa devoted to that purpose. It is
one of the finest locations to be found in the country and
during each season the place is patronized by a large as-
sembly of prominent guests from various parts of the
county. Politically Mr. Colladay is a Republican, but has never
held office. Though not a member of any church his sympathies
are with the Congregational faith. On December 28, 1887, he mar-
ried Catherine Elizabeth, daughter of Edward and Harriet (Hub-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 189

bard) Whaling, of Deerfield. Airs. Colladay was born October
20, 1858, in the town of Dunn and received her education in the
district schools and the Madison high school. She is the third of
the four children in the Whaling family, the others being Byron,
born September 29, 1852, lives in Osborn, Kansas; Perry I., born
July 29, 1856, died February 14, 1900 ; and Alice, born March 5, 1864,
lives in Dodgeville, Wis. To Charles and Catherine Colladay have
been born two children, — Earl Whaling, May, 20, 1891, and Charles
McLain, Jr., June 12, 1896. Mr. Colladay is a well educated man,
having attended Albion Academy after having received all the in-
struction to be had from the district schools. He is a member of
the Kegonsa Lodge, No. 73, Stoughton ; the Madison chapter, No.
4, and the Robert Macoy Commandry, No. 3, Madisqn.

Daniel B. Collins, M. D„ one of the well-known and skillful phy-
sicians and surgeons of Dane county, was born in Madison, August
15, 1863, of good Irish stock. His father was Daniel H. Collins,
born in the county of Limerick, Ireland, where he was a tanner for
a time and later in the dairy business. In 1849 he came to the
United States, his objective point being Madison. After his arrival
here he married Mary McKeen, also a native of the Emerald Isle,
and by her had six children, — M. C, a merchant of St. Paul, Minn.,
Frank and Daniel B., (M. D.), living at home; Nellie, head nurse of
Racine college, Racine, Wis. ; Elizabeth, widow of James Hopkins,
now living at home ; Genevieve, now Mrs. Henry Cummings of
Milwaukee, where her husband is a practicing attorney. Mr. Col-
lins was a good type of the old-school gentleman and a lifelong
Democrat. He always took an active interest in the municipal and
county politics and at one time served as a representative from the
third ward in the common council. From the time of his arrival
here until his death on July 17, 1903, in his seventy-eighth year,
he never left the city. The following tribute was paid to the de-
cedent: "In the passing of Daniel H. Collins the world loses an-
other of the old school. He settled here when Madison was a small
village a half century ago. Coming with Wisconsin's early pio-
neers, who were known for their rugged honesty, their indomitable
will and their noble principles, he aided in building up the charac-
ter of this great commonwealth as well as contributed to its mater-
ial prosperity. He was an indulgent father and a faithful hus-
band. He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence, his ad-
vice and counsel were often sought by his fellow-men on vexed
questions. He was ever ready to give aid and comfort to those in
distress, he added much to the sum of human happiness. The

190 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

world is better for his having lived. While unostentatious in his
bearing, he possessed the proud spirit of the knights of old. founded
upon lofty principles, a noble character and high ideals. Though
not demonstrative in religion he ever remained in close communion
with his Creator. He was a true lover of nature, refined and ar-
tistic ; the birds of the air and the flowers of the fields were his
friends."

Dr. D. B. Collins, the subject of this sketch, derives his descent
remotely from Fiacha Fighinte, son of Daire Cearb, son of Olioll
Flann Beag, who is number eighty-seven on the line of Heber, and
more immediately from the famous Sept of O'Cuileann or Cuil-
eann, anglicized O'Collins or Collins. They were the lords of
Eighter Conghalach of Lower Connello in the County of Limer-
ick, Ireland. The grants were given them by King Charles I of
England. January 1, 1649, and one month before he was be-
headed, January 30, 1649. The doctor received his education in
the high school of Madison and in the University of Wisconsin,,
reading medicine in the office of the late Dr. F. H. Bodenius while
attending college. In 1887 he was graduated from the Rush Medi-
cal college of Chicago with the degree of M. D. and the following
three years he spent in Muscoda, Wis., practicing medicine. In 1890'
he returned to the city of his birth and has practiced here continu-
ously since. When the course in pharmacy was established at
the University of Wisconsin Dr. Collins was a member of the first
class. For some years he was physician to the United States pris-
oners in this county and is at present the examining physician for
several large insurance companies. Dr. Collins has never married.
He is a member of the American and State Medical Association, the
Central Wisconsin and Dane county Medical Societies, and the
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He makes his home
with his mother at 506 South Baldwin street.

Cooley L. Comstock, a retired farmer and merchant, residing in
the village of Oregon, was born fifteen miles from Erie, in Erie
county, Penn., August 16, 1844. His father. William Comstock,
was born in Rhode Island, and his grandfather. Aaron Comstockr
was a native of the same state, moving from there to Otsego, N. Y.,
and thence to Wisconsin, and spent his last years in Rock county.
William Comstock was a natural mechanic, and followed the trade
of stonemason and carpenter, in connection with farming, all of his
life. He was maried in Otsego county, N. Y., to Miss Fanny Cha-
pin, a native of that county, where she was born, in the town of
Butternuts, July 5, 1810. Soon after their marriage, Mr and Mrs.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 191

Comstock removed to Erie county, Perm., where he resided for a
few years, and then, in 1844. emigrated to the territory of Wiscon-
sin. He came by team to Lake Erie, and there took a boat for Mil-
waukee, landing in the latter city with but $1.50 in his pocket. He
came by team from Milwaukee to Dane county, and having a good
trade he secured employment and was soon living in comparative
comfort. At that time this section of country was but sparsely
settled, and the greater portion of the land belonged to the govern-
ment domain. Mr. Comstock was a very useful adjunct to the re-
gion in which he settled, by reason of his mechanical skill, and a
number of the log houses and barns which he erected are still stand-
ing as silent mementoes of his handiwork. Game was very plen-
tiful in those days, and the family larder could easily be supplied
with meat from the surrounding forests. Mr. Comstock selected
forty acres of government land in section 31, in what is now Dunn
township, and at once built a log house and commenced to make a
farm. He bought a cow and a pair of oxen, and as there were no
railroads he was compelled to haul his grain to Milwaukee, and
with the oxen this meant a trip of six or seven days, when the
weather was good. Wheat sold as low as twenty-five cents a
bushel, but Mr. Comstock usually managed to get a load of mer-
chandise, to haul back for Madison parties, Bean & RogaL
and thus adaed to the profits of his trip. As his means accumulated
he bought other land, until his farm contained two hundred acres,
and at the time of his death, in February, 1873, he was one of the
well-to-do farmers in that section of the county. His wife was the
daughter of Luke Chapin, who was a native of Connecticut, but in
early life he moved to New York and spent his remaining years,
there. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812. The maiden name
of his wife was Thirza Shaw, and she also died in the town of
Butternuts. N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. William Comstock were the pa-
rents of four children: Francis C, deceased; Melissa A., now Mrs..
Grout, of Monroe, Wis. ; Cooley L.. is the subject of this review,,
and Edgar W. residing in the village of Oregon. They were all ed-
cated in the schools of Dane county. Cooley L. Comstock, to whom
this memoir is especially dedicated, was but an infant when he came
to Wisconsin with his parents, hence he has no recollection of any
other home. He attended the pioneer schools of Dunn township,
his father being a warm friend of the common school system and
donated the land on which to build a school house. The son com-
menced life as a farmer and remained with his father until he
reached the age of twentv-rive vears. He then bought farm in sec-

192 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

tion 32, of Dunn township, where he resided for three years, and
then selling it he returned to the old homestead, where he resided
until four years ago, and of which property he is still the owner.
The farm contains two hundred acres of fine land, well improved.
In 1902 Mr. Comstock removed to the village of Oregon and en-
tered the mercantile business, which he followed for two years, and
then retired from active participation in affairs and is living in quiet
enjoyment of the fruits of an industrious career. He has recently
erected a fine dwelling house in the village of Oregon, where it is
hoped that many years of happiness will yet be the lot of himself
and his estimable wife. Mr. Comstock was married, February 28,
1866, to Miss Demarius Johnson, who was born in the town of
Dunn, daughter of Solomon and Polly (Baker) Johnson, prominent
citizens of that locality, the father having migrated from the state
of New York to Dane county in 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Comstock
are the parents of two daughters, — Leila, who resides at home,
and Fanny J. who is the wife of Russell Jones, an extensive
farmer and blooded-stock breeder of Oak Hall, Wis. Each of the
daughters received an excellent education in the schools of Dunn
township and the village of Oregon. Mr. Comstock was form-
erly a Democrat, but in the more recent years has assumed an inde-
pendent attitude in political matters. He served two terms as
chairman of the town board of Dunn, and has also held school
offices. The family is connected with the Methodist church in
Oregon, and Mr. Comstock has membership with the Modern
Woodmen of America.

Rev. M. A. Condon, who has been for the past seventeen years
the pastor of the church of the Holy Mother of Consolation, at
Oregon, in Dane county, is a native of Dodge county, Wis., hav-
ing been born at Hustisford on December 1, 1885. He was born
of Irish parents and his boyhood days were spent on the farm, and
in the district schools he received his preliminary education. He
was one of the first students to be enrolled at the Sacred Heart
college, of Watertown, Wis., opened in September, 1872, and he re-
mained as a student there for five years, completing the classical
course in June, 1877. In September of the same year he entered
the seminary at St. Francis, near Milwaukee, and there took a four
years course in philosophy and theology. There he received his
sub-deacon and deaconship on April 2 and 3, 1881, from the Most
Reverend Archbishop Heiss. Father Condon was ordained to the
priesthood in the seminary chapel by Bishop F. X. Krautbauer on
June, 26, 1881. His first mission after ordination was at Maple-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 193

ton. in Waukesha county, where he was a pastor for eight years,
and in 1889 he was transferred to Oregon, Dane county, where he
has since been located as pastor of the church of the Holy Mother
of Consolation. Under his pastorate the congregation has in-
creased in numbers and a prosperous condition generally is evi-
denced on every hand.

Henry Clinton Cone is a successful farmer and stock-raiser of
the town of York, where his family have lived for many years.
He was adopted by G. A. Cone and his wife Aroxia (Porter) Cone,
daughter of Garett Porter, whose biography appears in this work.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Cone were natives of Cattaraugus county,
N. Y., and Mr. Cone's parents, Massena and Elizabeth (Purple)
Cone, were born in New York and came to Kenosha county, Wis.,
in 1838. They moved to the town of York in 1845. Of their six
children, G. A. Cone, born April 8, 1829, is the only survivor. He
attended school in Kenosha, and in Marshall county, Ind., and
learned the blacksmith's trade. He and his wife are both prom-
inent in the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Cone is a member
of the Prohibition party. For some time he held the office of
justice of the peace. His home is a fine farm of one hundred and
thirty-three acres in the town of York, which he worked for many
years, but which is now managed by his son Henry. Mrs. G. A.
Cone was born May, 31, 1830, -and died July 25, 1901. Henry
Clinton Cone was born in Dodge county Wis., October 5, 1862,
attended school in York, also at the Marshall Academy and the
Waterloo high school. He owns a farm of forty acres and likewise
manages his father's farm and makes a specialty of fine short-
horned cattle and Poland China hogs. Like his father, Mr. Cone
is allied with the Prohibition party and is active in political affairs.
He has twice been assessor of the town. In March, 1888, he mar-
ried Miss Minnie Cone, daughter of Sterling and Mary (Wood-
bridge) Cone, of Oshkosh, Wis. Sterling Cone was a prominent
member of the Jefferson county bar and a member of the state
legislature from Dodge county. He died in 1887. Mr. and Mrs.
Cone have had five children. The oldest, Roxie M., is a senior in
the Medina high school; Evaline and an infant child are deceased;
Hattie Bell is a freshman in the high school and Merrill S. is in the
grade schools. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church
and are active in church work. Mr. Cone is a member of the Mar-
shal branch of the Modern Woodmen.

James Conklin (deceased), was from sturdy and naturally pro-
gressive stock, the son of John and Catherine Conklin. and was
13— iii

194 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

born in Burlington, Chittenden county, Vt, June 12, 1831. The
family left the somewhat restricted conditions of the east to find
broader fields of industry in the west, and arrived in Madison,
(then a village), in October, 1819. The subject of this brief sketch
soon found work which, although hard at times, he followed with a
will, obeying the scriptural injunction, "Whatsoever thy hand find-
eth to do, do it with thy might." But there soon appeared before
him more prosperous fields. As early as 1854 the firm of Conklin
& Gray (Neely Gray) was established, and in a short time became
extensively known and very freely patronized. In fact it was the
most prominent house in this section in handling wheat and
other cereals. This being the time that the Milwaukee & Prai-
rie du Chien Railway reached Madison and remained here for sev-
eral years, it was the grand opportunity for Mr. Conklin to demon-
strate his business abilities. His manly appearance, his good, calm
nature, affable and honest manner soon attracted the attention of
farmers who came in for many miles and from all points of the
compass with their products. The business of the firm rapidly
increased, and it became prominent as the headquarters for farm-
ing implements. Later the railroads branched out in all directions
and cut off the market trade to a great extent. The firm changed
to Conklin & Sons, and the rapid growth of Madison (then a city)
required that wood, coal and the staple articles necessary in business
houses and in homes, should be handled. Extensive yards, with the
latest devices, were established ; and the yards at West Madison
are today and for a long time have been on a par with any to be
found in much larger cities. Another large yard is established in
the sixth ward. At these headquarters all kinds of building mater-
ial are found, such as brick, cement, lime, sewer pipe, etc. The firm
is also engaged in the ice business, the largest in any city in the
state outside of Milwaukee. This great plant is found at the foot
of Hancock street, on the shore of Lake Mendota,and the main
office is at 105 East Washington avenue. But James Conklin had
a high and honorable standing in the social and political world. He
ably represented the capital city district in the state senate in 1885
and 1887 when important matters were before it for consideration.
He was elected for the occasion and his work was decidedly effec-
tive. He was mayor of the city in 1881, 1882, and 1883, and again
in 1887. In 1882, when he was at the head of the city govern-
ment our efficient water-works were established; and it was-
greatly owing to his constant work and influence that the handsome
site was secured, — a whole block, now a splendid park,— for a trifle-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 195

over $-1,000, each lot being- now worth that sum. He represented
the fifth ward, when it was first formed, in 1876, and again in 1877 'r
and was a member of the board of water commissioners from 1884
to 1889 inclusive. As a member of the board of education he
served in 1873, 1881-83, 1893,and 1891-98. In February, 1894, he
was appointed postmaster of Madison, and a grand ovation followed.
He served the full term, — four years. The large and handsome
business block on the corner of State and Johnson streets was built
by Air. Conklin. He was one of the organizors of the Bank of Wis-
consin, Madison, and a director of it for many years. Mr. Conklin
was married in Madison, January 29, 1853, to Miss Mary Egan,
and for almost half a century their home was a happy one. The
faithful husband died February 28, 1900, and his loving helpmate
followed eighteen months later. There were born to them seven
children — James E., Margaret E., Matthew H., Kate, Mary Jane,
Lucy and John W. Four are living. The sons have conducted
the business since the death of their father.

Edward J. Conlin is a native of the 'town of York and resides
Upon the farm which was his birth-place, where he engages in gen-
eral farming. His parents, Bartholemew and Catherine (Bolger)
Conlin, were born in Ireland, educated there and came, at different
times, to the United States. Bartholemew Conlin was born in
1820 and embarked for America in 1848. He obtained a large farm
of unimproved land, improved it himself and established a com-
fortable home. He married Miss Catharine Bolger, who came to
Dodge county with her parents in 1848. Nine children were born
to them ; the oldest died in infancy ; the others are Bridget, Thomas,.
Mary, James, Michael. Theresa, Edward and Banty. Mrs. Conlin
died in 1871 and her husband in 1894. The family is prominent in
the Roman Catholic church. Air. Conlin was a Democrat, as is his
son, Edward J. The latter was born in the town of York, Feb.
22, 1867, attended the district school and the Columbus high school
and pursued a course of study at the Northwestern Business Col-
lege. He takes an active interest in politics and has served three
years as town clerk and is now chairman of the town board. He
has a pleasant home on the farm which his father labored to clear
and has improved and acided to it many modern conveniences. He
is a member of the Roman Catholic church.

Hiram Conry, of Sun Prairie, comes of good fighting stock. His
maternal grandfather took part in the American Revolution ; and
his father, although Irish by birth, and fifty-one years old at the
breaking out of the Civil War, enlisted in the Eleventh Wisconsin

196 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Infantry, 1861, and served during- the war. The subject of this
sketch also enlisted as private in Company F, Sixteenth Wisconsin
Regiment, December, 1863 and served until the close of the war,
taking part in the Atlantic campaign, the famous march from At-
lanta to the sea and also the march from Buford to Washington,
D. C. His brother Benjamin also enlisted with the first three-
months men, in Company A, Thirty-third Illinois Volunteers Infan-
try, and reenlisting, served during the war. Thomas Conry,
father of Hiram, married Miss Jane Moretts, a native of New York,
born in 1800; they came to Dane in 1856. He was at that time a
Democrat, but the stirring events of the years soon following
changed his political attitude, and he cast in his fortunes with the
newly organized Republican party; although for many years a
resident of Dane, both Mr. Conry and his wife died in Chippewa
county.

Hiram Conry was born in Franklin county, Vt., June 25, 1836,
and received his education in the common schools of his native state ;
lie came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1856 then a young man
of twenty. With the exception of the years that he served in the
war, a year and a half in Evansville and a year and a half in the
town of Burk, his residence has been in the town and village of
Sun Prairie ; he owns seventeen acres about his home, and eleven
acres within the corporation of the village. In politics, Mr. Conry
is a Prohibitionist and is an attendant of the Methodist Episcopal
church. The family into which Mr. Conry married, — July 3. 1859,
— is equally noted for the characteristics of courage and patriotism.
Miss Eunice Churchill, born in Niagara county, N. Y., Oct. 23,
1839, daughter of Enos and Nancy (Searls) Churchill, had ancestors
on her father's side who came over in the Mayflower, and she is
also a direct descendant of Gov. Bradford of the Massachusetts
colony. The paternal great grandfather of Mrs. Conry also served
in the Revolution ; from him the genealogical line is, a son, Seth
Churchill, who married Eunice Dergee ; his son, Enos Churchill,
born in Vermont 1797, married Nancy Searls, born in Massachu-
setts 1797, and removed to New York; they came to Dane in 1814
settled on a farm in Sun Prairie, and here died, he in 1891 and his
wife in 1885. He was a carpenter by trade, a Whig in early life
and later a Republican ; he and his wife were spiritualists. To Mr.
and Mrs. Hiram Conry have been born seven children, all living,
Myron W. ; Mary; Mervin ; Elmer; Oscar; Ida; Lena.

William Cook, a prosperous farmer of the town of Springdale,
was born on a farm near where he now resides, July 20, 1852. He

BIOGRAPHICAL. 197

is the son and only surviving child of John and Margaret (Ingles)
Cook, an older sister, Margaret, having died when sixteen years
of age. The parents were both natives of Scotland, the father
having been born in the Highlands of that country and the mother
in the city of Edinburgh. They were married in their native land
and came to America in 1850. The father gave his attention to
farming, followed that occupation in Scotland, and upon coming to
Dane county took up eighty acres of government land in the town
of Springdale, which has been the place of residence of the family
during all the succeeding years. The father died on July 30, 1865,
at the age of thirty-seven, the result of being kicked by a horse,
and the mother passed away in 1892, aged eighty years. The sub-
ject of this review was reared in Springdale and received his edu-
cation in the public schools of that town. After the death of his
father, his mother rented the farm out for three years, and then the
son, although but sixteen years old, purchased a team and took
upon himself the responsibility of cultivating and managing the
place. Success attended his efforts from the first, and he has never
regretted the fate that cast his lines with the basic industry of
agriculture. He now owns a finely-improved farm, comprising
two hundred and eighty acres, and aside from the general farming
of the same he gives a great deal of attention to stock-raising and
dairying. In the latter industry he has his own separator and ships
the cream. He is also engaged in the business of buying and ship-
ping grain at Riley's Station, and in this as in all of his other ven-
tures he has won pronounced success. Mr. Cook was married.
August 18, 1871, to Miss Nancy Jane McCaughey, who was born
on the place where she and her husband now reside. Her parents
were James and Maria McCaughey, both of whom were natives of
Ireland. They migrated to America and located in the town of
Springdale, Dane county, at an early date, and there spent the re-
mainder of their lives, the father dying in 1852 and the mother in
1886. Mr. and Mrs. Cook are the parents of eight children, the
names and more particular mention of whom follow : Sarah J.
married Martin F. Krueger and resides in the city of Madison ;
John remains at home with his parents ; Maggie married William
Salmon of the town of Springdale, and is deceased ; James is in the
grain-buying business with his father at Riley's Station ; and Wil-
liam, Agnes, Marie and Marjorie are at home. .Mr. Cook is a Re-
publican in his political affiliations and has served as a member of
the school board. Fraternally he has a membership in the lodge
of the Modern Woodmen of America at Verona.

198 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Col. Charles F. Cooley is a descendant of an old New England
family. The family records go back four generations to Alex-
ander Cooley, a native of Connecticut. He removed from Con-
necticut to New York in the early part of the nineteenth century,
was a volunteer in the War of 1812 and was severely wounded in
the battle of Sackett's Harbor. His son, Alexander Cooley, Jr.,
was also a native of Connecticut and took part with his father in
the war. He was engaged in both farming and the lumber busi-
ness, first in Lewis, then in Livingston and finally in Chautauqua
county. He moved to Villenova in the last named county in 1822,
and made his home there the remainder of his life. He was en-
gaged in farming and in the lumber business with his brothers,
Robert and Harry, during their residence in Lewis county, and the
whole family was included in the subsequent removals. They built
their own log houses, spun and wove the cloth for their garments
and furnished their larder by their skill in the huntsman's craft.
All of the experiences of pioneer life, which their descendants re-
peated in the forest wildernesses of Wisconsin, were theirs. Alex-
ander, Jr.. married Miss Lydia Soloman, a native of Lewis county,
who reared a family of five sons and three daughters. She spent
her last years at the home of one of her sons in Chautauqua county.
Warren Cooley, the son of Alexander, Jr., and father of the sub-
ject of this sketch, was born in Livingston county, N. Y., May 16,
1822. His early education was of the primitive sort that was ob-
tainable in the backwoods schools seventy-five years ago, but fol-
lowing the death of his father in 1837. he made his home with a
family of Friends, and later went with them to live in Utica, where
his educational opportunities were greatly improved. He began
the carving out of his own fortunes two years before he became of
age, entering first into the employ of a general merchant. Shortly
afterward he went into the lumber business, subsequently going
into mercantile business for himself in Utica, in 1855. Not long
after he moved to Wisconsin, locating in Columbia county, first
near Fort Winnebago, and afterward near Lodi, following agricul-
tural pursuits, until 1885, when he moved to Madison and there
■spent the remainder of his life. He was married, November 5, 1844,
to Miss Harriet Isabella Martin, the daughter of Andrew and May
(Wilkins) Martin, all natives of England. From this union five
•children were born ; Charles F., the subject of this sketch ; An-
toinette, Edward, Oscar and Minerva H. Mrs. Cooley died in
August, 1877. Charles F. Cooley began his school life in Utica
N. Y.. and received his later instruction in the schools of Portage,

BIOGRAPHICAL. 199

Columbia county. He worked on the farm in the intervening va-
cations of his boyhood, until the stirring events of 1860 and 1861
brought him to a premature manhood, and he enlisted in Company
C, Twenty-third Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers. After one
year's service he was obliged to return home on account of ill
health and received his discharge, being at that time only sixteen
years of age. After recuperating by a short rest he again entered
the army in Company A, Thirty-seventh Infantry, and remained
in active service until the close of the war. He belonged to the
Army of the Potomac, and took part in the battle of Petersburg,
June, 1864, and witnessed the mine explosion on July 30, of the
same year. The hardships of army life, however, proved too great
for a boy of his years and he left the army at the close of hostili-
ties, somewhat shattered in health, and sought to repair it by a resi-
dence of some years in the bracing climate of what is now North
Dakota. While there he was in the employ of the Northern Pacific
Railroad. His residence as a citizen of Dane county began in 1872
when he established himself in the city of Madison as a dealer in
fuel, and from a small beginning, gradually built up his, present
flourishing business. Colonel Cooley is a Republican and a mem-
ber of the G. A. R. but has never- occupied himself actively in poli-
tical affairs. He was married May 12, 1872, to Miss Julia Frederick-
son, a native of Dane county, and a daughter of Peter and Julia
Frederickson. They have six children, Harry, Alexander, Fanny,
Ida, Sarah and Charley. Colonel Cooley received his military
title and commission as a member of the staff of General Rusk.

Dayton Benjamin Coon carries on a successful general farming
business on the old Coon farm in the town of Utica, Dane county,
where he was born October 1. 1851, son of Captain Wm. Henry
Harrison Coon and Harnia (Burdick) Coon. The Coon family
were originally named Macoon and came to Rhode Island from
Aberdeenshire, Scotland. John Macoon with seventy-five other
men obtained a large tract of land in Rhode Island in 1661, and was
made president of Westerly village. This was the first community
of Seventh-day Baptists in the United States. The name became
corrupted to Coon in the last century and Joshua Coon, a descend-
ant of that family left Rhode Island for New York and settled in
Brookfield, Madison county, where he became prominent and suc-
cessful. Joshua Coon, generaly known as Squire Coon, married a
Miss Brown, daughter of a Baptist minister and they were active
in the work of the Baptist church, the first one in the vicinity of
Brookfield. Their crrandson, W. H. H. Coon, was born in Brook-

200 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

field in 1818, was educated there and was a captain in the state
militia. In 1846, he and his wife came to Wisconsin and purchased
four hundred acres of land in the town of Utica which was their
home during the remainder of their lives. Captain Coon died in
1898 and his wife in 1900. Both captain and Mrs. Coon were en-
thusiastic members of the Baptist church and were instrumental
in the organization of the church of Seventh-day Baptists in Utica
in January, 1850. Captain Coon was a Republican, served as
chairman of the town board and as postmaster at Utica and also
at one time owned a store at Utica. Five children were born to
Captain and Mrs. Coon. Fred W., the oldest son, a banker and to-
bacco dealer at Edgerton, married Miss Clara McDougal and they
have five children ; Grace, Minerva, Winifred, Helen and Warren ;
Dayton Benj. is the scond son; Ann the oldest daughter, is de-
ceased; the next daughter married A. B. Stillman of Kansas and
they have seven children; — Claude, Clara L.. Ruth A., Henry N.,
James I., Rose H. and Dayton Theodore ; James H., the secretary
of the cooperative creamery association of Utica, is a merchant in
Utica and married Rose Kelly of Salem, W. Va. Dayton B. Coon
married in December, 1786, Miss Mary A. Potter, who was born
in Albion in 1855, daughter of Stephen Potter. Three children
blessed the marriage. — Elan Potter who married Mabel E. Wheeler
(deceased), is a graduate from the University of Wisconsin and re-
sides with his parents ; Phelps Lester attends Milton College and
Rachael Ann attends the home schools.

John Coughin, one of the substantial citizens and representative
farmers of Cottage Grove township, Dane county, was born in that
township, February, 12, 1860, and is a son of John and Bridget
(Roach) Couglin, both of whom were native of Ireland. The par-
ents came to Dane county about the year 1852, having previously
resided in Milwaukee, where the father was a drayman for a num-
ber of years. He removed to Dane county, as did also three of his
brothers and one brother-in-law, all taking up their residence on
adjoining farms in Cottage Grove township. There were no rail-
roads in this section at the time, and the trip from Milwaukee was
made with teams and wagons. Mr. Coughlin reclaimed his farm
from the forest and became one of the representative citizens of his
township, where both he and his wife continued to reside until their
death. They became the parents of eight children, namely: Mar-
garet, who is now the wife of John Galvin, of Cottage Grove town-
ship ; Mary, who is the wife of Mr. Ryan, of the city of Chicago;
Bridget Ann, who is the wife of Michael Conlin, of Madison ; Eliza-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 201

beth, who is the wife of Charles H. McCloskey, of M adison ; John,
who is the immediate subject of this sketch; Kate, who is the wife
of John Lewis, of Rockford, Illinois; Ella, who is deceased; and
Agnes, who is the wife of Francis Mullen, of Marshall, Wisconsin.
John Coughlin, the immediate subject of this review, was reared on
the home farm, early beginning to contribute to its development
and cultivation and remaining with his parents until their death.
His educational opportunities were those afforded in the district
school, which he attended during the winter months, devoting his
time to the work of the farm during the summer seasons. Upon
leaving the home farm he purchased his present place, which he
has developed into one of the valuable farms of the county, the
land being under effective cultivation, while the buildings are of
substantial and attractive order, making the place one of the model
farms of this section. Mr. Coughlin has been indefatigable in his
efforts and has won a worthy success, while his able and devoted
coadjutor has been his faithful wife, who has aided most effectively
in gaining the independence and prosperity which they now enjoy.
Both are communicants of the Catholic church, and he is a stanch
Democrat in his political adherency,, having never been a seeker of
office but having served two years as clerk of his school district.
On January 19, 1887, Mr. Coughlin was united in marriage to Miss
Mary E. Coffey, daughter of William and Susan Ann (Reynolds)
Coffey, of Cottage Grove township, and they became the parents
of five children, namely : John William, born November 2, 1887 ;
Bridget Irene, born October 11, 1889; William Francis, born Febru-
ary 23, 1891 ; Walter Daniel, who was born August 7, 1891, and died
July 11, 1898 and Stanley Walter, born February 28, 1906.

William Cox is now living retired in the city of Madison, which
place was the scene of his active career, and where many buildings
stand as monuments to his mechanical ability. He was born near
the city of Bath, Somersetshire, England, on March 13 1830, and
is one of six children born to Robert and Bethsheba (Fountain)
Cox, who were also natives of the mother country. Of the six
children mentioned but two are now living — the subject of this
review, and his brother Robert, who is living retired in the city of
Milwaukee. William Cox was educated in private schools in his
native land and was fifteen years old when with his parents he mi-
grated to America. The family settled in the state of New Yorkr
on the St. Lawrence river, and resided there two years, after which
a removal was made to Ohio, where the family took up a residence
near Akron and remained two vears. Another removal was then

202 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

made, this time to Cleveland, where the father operated as a con-
tractor. Duing two years of the residence in Ohio the subject of
this review worked as a carriage maker, and he also acted as over-
seer of his father's teams for a number of years. About 1859 the
family removed to Wisconsin, and the father rented a hotel in the
city of Madison and conducted the same until his death, which
occurred during the Civil War period, and the mother passed away
five years later. At one time twenty-one printers who were em-
ployed in the State Journal office boarded with Mr. Cox. The sub-
ject of this review started his independent career at the age of
eighteen years, and his first venture was in buying timber which he
cut into cord wood and sold the same in the city of Cleveland.
After the removal of the family to Wisconsin he began carpenter-
ing in the city of Madison, and among the buildings upon which he
worked are the First National bank, the Park Hotel, the postoffice,
the Vilas House, and in fact all the principal buildings in the city
erected prior to 1902, when he retired. During this time he bought
a lot and erected a beautiful home on Hancock street. He then
sold this residence and built a house on East Dayton street which he
sold later and then went to Nebraska. But the west had no charms
for him, and after a residence of five months in the Tree Planters'
state he was glad to get back to Wisconsin. He then erected the
home where, with his son-in-law, he now resides, and where he ex-
pects to reside the remainder of his days. Mr. Cox was married
on September 11, 1864, and the lady of his choice was Miss Rachel
Halverson, born in Norway, December 25, 1844. daughter of
Halvor Halvorson. Two children were born to this union : Em-
manuel Robert married Minnie Randolph and is deceased — his
widow resides in Black River Falls, Wis. ; Bathsheba Matilda mar-
ried Edward Goodman and is the mother of three children — Rus-
sell, Edward and an infant daughter. Mr. Goodman is in the em-
ploy Fuller & Johnson. The subject of this review is a Republi-
can in his political affiliations and his religious faith is that of the
Methodist church.

Bartholomew Coyne, deceased, was for nearly forty years one of
the most highly respected citizens of Madison, and his unimpeach-
able character was attested by continued employment in responsible
capacities with various financial and other institutions where hon-
esty and trustworthiness were in demand. Mr. Coyne was a na-
tive of the Emerald Isle and was born in Sligo county, Ireland,
on September 31, 1818, his parents being John and Winifred (Cain)
Coyne, both of whom were also of Irish birth. The father and

BIOGRAPHICAL. 203

mother lived out their alloted years and died on their native soil.
The subject of this sketch received his education in Ireland and as
a young man removed to England, where he resided several years.
He was married on November 16. 1848, to Miss Mary Anderson, a
native of the city of London, where the marriage occurred, his wife
being the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Hunt) Anderson, both
of whom were English-born. In 1853 Mr. and Mrs. Coyne sailed
for America, and, landing in Xew York, they remained in that city
for a short time and then removed to Pennsylvania, where they re-
sided until 1856. In the year mentioned they journeyed westward
and took up their residence in the city of Madison. Wis., the trip
hither having been made by the way of Chicago. Mr. Coyne con-
tinued to reside in the capital city the remainder of his life, dying
on August 8, 1891, and his good wife still resides at the family
residence, No. 131 N. Bruen street. Mr. Coyne gave an unswerv-
ing allegiance to the principles and policies of the Democratic
party, and in religious affairs he was loyal to the Catholic faith.
Realizing the advantages of an education, it was the constant pur-
pose of himself and wife to equip their children in this regard, and
they obtained their reward in seeing their sons and daughters grow
into useful and competent men and women. Eight of these children
are living. The eldest daughter is Mrs. Cossiboin: Thomas P.
served four terms as clerk of Dane county, and was at the time of
his death, the weigh-master of the city of Madison. He was killed
in an accident, in Madison, June 19, 1906. while attending the
funeral of a friend. James resides in Seattle, W ash. ; Mary is a
teacher in the public schools of Eau Claire, a position which she has
held for more than fifteen years. Elizabeth resides in Superior,
Wis., as does also her sister, Mrs. Wolfden ; Kate is the wife of
Mr. Frauley ; Joseph resides with his mother, and William is a
practicing attorney of Madison.

William Crapp is recognized as one of the progressive farmers of
the town of Oregon, and his success has been achieved entirely by
his own efforts and the counsel and economy of his. faithful wife.
He was born in England, September 11. 1857, being one of the six-
teen children of Thomas and Elizabeth (Keam) Crapp, both natives
of England, where the mother still resides, the father being de-
ceased. The parents of our subject were among the unfortunate
many in the mother country who. being poor, have but a slim
chance of bettering their condition, and the father earned the liv-
ing for himself and family by working by the month or day. Wil-
liam Crapp received his education in the schools of his native land,

204 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

and realizing' the few opportunities that present themselves in Eng-
land, in 1884 he and his young wife set sail for America. First lo-
cating in Canada he remained in the dominion three years, and then
came to Dane county, Wis., by the way of Chicago. He located
in the town of Dunn, where he worked as a farm hand for a time,
and then purchased forty acres of land in the town of Fitchburg.
near Lakeview, upon which he resided until 1895. He then sold
his farm and purchased another, comprising one hundred and twenty
acres of land, a large part of which was improved, in the town of
Fitchburg. where he has resided ever since. There he has given
his entire attention to the tilling of the soil, combined of course
with the kindred occupation of stock-raising. In the latter line he-
has devoted his efforts mainly to the breeding of Shropshire sheep,,
in which he has been very successful, and he also follows dairying"
to a considerable extent. Since purchasing the farm on which he
resides he has added extensively to its improvements, mainly in
the matter of buildings, and in the erection of these he has spent
about $4,000, building a fine residence, a barn, granary, etc. Mr.
Crapp is independent in his political views, and gives his support to-
men and measures as they appeal to his ideas of right and expe-
diency, uninfluenced by the fetich of a party name. He was mar-
ried on June 16, 1882, to Miss Jane Hooper, daughter of John and
Ann Hooper, of Saint Neots, England, where the father follows the
occupation of a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Crapp were members of the
Church of England before coming to America, but they now are
members of the Presbyterian denomination. They have no chil-
dren.

Charles Cripps, a retired farmer of the town of York, came to
Dane county with his parents when he was a young lad and has
always resided in the locality. William and Hannah (Gregory)
Cripps, his parents, were both natives of England, were married
there and after some years came, in 1840, to the United States.
They located in York and made it their permanent home. Thir-
teen children -were born to them, of whom six are living. Mr.
Cripps died at the advanced age of eighty-four years after an ac-
tive and useful life. He was one of the pioneers of the new com-
munity and helped to lay the foundations of its prosperity.
Charles Cripps was born in England August 19, 1826, attended
school in England and in Dane county and aided his father in the
establishment of the new home. He has seen the development
of the district from a sparsely-settled, wild country, abounding in
game, to its present condition of prosperity, and shared in the labor

BIOGRAPHICAL. 205

incident to its improvement and also in the rewards. He owns
a fine farm of one hundred and seventy-nine acres, which until
recent years he managed himself. He has now given it into the
care of his son, Charles H. Cripps. Mr. Cripps is a Republican but
has occupied himself with the business of his farm rather than in
taking an active part in politics. In March, 1856. he married Miss
Abigail Irons, who was born in Otsego county, N. Y., December 19,
1825, daughter of Samuel and Betsy (Weaver) Irons, who came to
Dane county about 1840 and lived there the remainder of their
lives. One daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Cripps, Imogene,
who died in 1885. Charles H. Cripps, their adopted son, married
Miss Hannah Austin of Elba, Wis., February 22. 1894. They
have one daughter, Imogene. born September 9, 1898.

George A. Cripps is a well-known and successful farmer of York
township. With his brother, Frederick H.. he owns one hundred
and sixty acres of farm property upon which they carry on a gen-
eral farming and stock-raising business. Fine Hereford cattle are
raised upon this farm as well as other varieties of stock. Their
father, William W. Cripps, was born in England in December, 1828,
was educated in England and came to the United States in 1855.
He obtained a farm in the town of York and set about clearing and
improving it. Mrs. Cripps, nee Emma Smith, was born in England
April 22, 1838, and married in England to William Miles, with whom
she came to America and lived in Columbia county, Wis. She was
soon left a widow and Mr. Cripps became her second husband.
Eight children were born to them, of whom six are living. Mrs.
Cripps was a member of the church of England. For the remain-
der of his life Mr. Cripps operated the farm in York and died there
in 1895. He was Republican and active in local affairs. George
A. Cripps was born in Hamden, Columbia county, Wis., November
18, 18G4, attended school in the town of York and assisted his
father on the farm. He still lives at the old home arfd by the en-
ergy of father and sons it has been transformed from wild land to
a complete and well-equipped farm. Mr. Cripps is, like his father,
a Republican in his political affiliations but is not active in politi-
cal life or an office-holder. April 7, 1897, he married Miss Anna
Moutz. daughter of John and Victoria (Moutz) Wolfer of Colum-
bus, Wis., who was born in Germany, August 22, 1873. Mr. and
Mrs. Cripps have one son and one daughter; Reuben John, born
June 1, 1904 and Emma Victoria, born April 17. 1900. Mrs. Cripps
is a devoted member of the German Catholic church.

Charles Giles Crosse, M. D., is one of the representative members

206 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

of the medical profession in Dane county, and he has been en-
gaged in the practice of his profession in Sun Prairie for the long
period of forty-five years, also being identified with the drug busi-
ness during this time, so that he is entitled to consideration as one
of the pioneer physicians and business men of this attractive and
thriving village. Dr. Crosse was born in Cortland county, New
York, April 26, 1828, and is a son of Daniel and Mercy (Fish) Crosse,,
the former of whom was born in New Hampshire, of stanch old
colonial stock in New England, while the latter was born in
Broome county, New York, having been a distant relative of
Hamilton Fish, who was secretary of war during the administra-
tion of General Grant. Joseph Crosse, grandfather of the doctor,
served seven years as a soldier in the Continental line during the
War of the Revolution. Daniel Crosse took up his residence in
Chautauqua county, New York, in an early day. later removing to>
Cortland county, whence he removed with his family to Ohio in the
thirties, settling in Lake county. He remained a resident of the
Buckeye state until 1846, when he removed to the new state of
Wisconsin, where he passed the remainder of his life, his death oc-
curring in Whitewater, Walworth county, in 1882, while his wife-
there passed away in 1878. In early life he followed the black-
smith trade, but he later became a clergyman of the Methodist
Episcopal church, laboring thereafter in the vineyard of the divine
Master until he was summoned to the life eternal. He was a man
of noble character and strong mentality and was numbered among
the pioneer ministers of his church in Wisconsin. He was origin-
ally a Democrat in politics, but united with the Republican party
at the time of its organization, ever afterward remaining a stanch
advocate of its principles. Of his twelve children ten lived to at-
tain maturity and of the number five are living at the time of the
compilation of this sketch, in 1905. Dr. Charles G. Crosse secured
his earlier educational training in the common schools of Ohio,
after which he attended an academy at Mentor, Lake county, that
state,' finally entering the Western Reserve College, where he com-
pleted his more purely literary education. In 1853 he was gradu-
ated from the Cincinnati Medical College, from which he received
his well earned degree of Doctor of Medicine, and he then located in
Amherst. Lorain county, Ohio, where he was engaged in the prac-
tice of his profession until 1854, when he came to Wisconsin and
located "in Newport, Sauk county, where he continued in practice
until the 1st of January, 1860, when he took up his residence in
Sun Prairie, where he has since maintained his home and where-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 207

he has long held high prestige and popularity in his profession, con-
trolling a large and representative practice. In 1865 he became as-
sistant surgeon in the Fiftieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, serv-
ing" about one year. Soon after locating in Sun Prairie Dr. Crosse es-
tablished a drug store there, and with this line of enterprise he has
ever since been identified, having now a well equipped and attrac-
tive establishment. Since 1880 his son, Dr. Theodore P., has been
associated with him in the business, as well as in the practice of his
profession, under the firm name of Crosse & Crosse. Dr. Crosse
owns a valuable farm, lying contiguous to the village of Sun Prairie
and is also the owner of a fine farm in Minnesota. He is unswerv-
ing in his allegiance to the Republican party, with which he has
has been aligned from the time of its organization, having cast
his first Republican vote for General John C. Fremont, first presi-
dential candidate of the "grand old party." Dr. Crosse was presi-
dent of the village of Sun Prairie for three years and a member of
the municipal board of trustees a similar period, while for five years
he was supervisor of Sun Prairie village, and in 1880 was a member
of the assembly of the state legislature. The doctor was one of
the charter members of Sun Prairie Lodge, No. 143, Free and Ac-
cepted Masons, and was its worshipful master for the first fifteen
years ; he was also affiliated with the local organization of the In-
dependent Order of Odd Fellows until its discontinuance. Septem-
ber 26, 1853, Dr. Crosse was united in marriage to Miss Rowena
Smith, who was born in Lorain county, Ohio, July 17, 1830, being
a daughter of David and Fannie (Barnes) Smith, both of whom
died in Ohio, Mrs. Crosse being the only survivor of their nine
children. Dr. and Mrs. Crosse became the parents of three chil-
dren : Theodore P. is individually mentioned in this history ;:
Charles Sumner Crosse is the publisher of a paper (Republican),
in Stoughton, Wisconsin ; and Edith, who was graduated from the
University of Wisconsin, as a member of the class of 1880, was
united in marriage, in 1883, to Edward Gleason, and her death oc-
curred in 1884.

Charles S. Crosse, editor and proprietor of the Stoughton Hub,
was born near Kilbourn, Columbia county, Wis., March 22, 1858,
a son of Charles G. and Rowena (Smith) Crosse. His paternal
grandparents were David and Mercy Crosse of Cortland county.
N. Y., and the maternal grandparents, David and Fanny Smith.
were born in Amherst,' Lorain county, Ohio. Charles G. Crosse,
the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Cortland
county. N. Y., April 26, 1828, and first came to Wisconsin in 1854.

208 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

locating at Hart Prairie, Walworth county. Wis. Subsequently
he removed to Sauk county and in 1860 settled at Sun Prairie,
which place has since been his home. He is a well known physi-
cian whose life is recorded at some length in the preceding sketch.
Charles S. Crosse passed his boyhood days in Sun Prairie and re-
ceived what educational advantages the school of that village of-
fered. In 1877 he started the Sun Prairie Countryman, a weekly
publication, and conducted it until 1889. That year he sold out his
interest and went to Little Falls, Minn., where he was the chief in-
fluence in the inception of the Little Falls Herald. His residence in
the village continued only nine months, however, his connection
with the paper being severed in the fall of the same year. He
then came to Stoughton, where he purchased a controlling inter-
est in the Stoughton Hub, which weekly publication he has since
been successfully conducting. On June 2o, 1884, Mr. Crosse was
united in marriage to Clara Bell, daughter of Orin and Rosina
Washburn of Sun Prairie and by this union is the father of two
sons. — Charles W., a cadet in the U. S. naval academy at Anna-
polis, and Giles W. Politically Mr. Crosse is influently identi-
fied with the Stalwart wing of the Republican party. He is a mem-
ber of Kegonsa lodge, No. 13, Free and Accepted Masons.

Theodore Parker Crosse, M. D., who is engaged in the prac-
tice of his profession in Sun Prairie, as a member of the firm of
Crosse & Crosse, also conducting a successful drug business, is a
son of that honored pioneer physician, Dr. Charles G. Crosse, with
whom he is associated under the title just noted and of whom
specific mention is made on other pages of this work, so that a re-
capitulation of the family history is not demanded in the present
connection. The doctor was born in Newport, Sauk county, Wis-
consin, on October 3, 1855, and January 1, I860, his parents moved
to Sun Prairie, where he has ever since made his home. He duly
availed himself of the advantages afforded in the local schools,
and then passed two years as a student in the University of Wiscon-
sin. In 1876 he was matriculated in that celebrated institution.
Rush Medical College, in the city of Chicago, where he completed
the prescribed course and was graduated as a member of the class
of 1879, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He had previously
had most effective professional preceptorage under the direction of
his father. August 1, 1880, Dr. Crosse became associated with
his father in the practice of his profession in Sun Prairie and also
in the drug business, and he has well upheld the prestige of the
honored name which he bears, both as a physician and surgeon

BIOGRAPHICAL. 209

and as a loyal and public-spirited citizen. He is one of the leaders
in the local ranks of the Republican party, and has been supervisor
of this village for many years, while has has also served as village
president and been incumbent of other offices. He is a member
of the state and county medical societies, and is affiliated with Sun
Prairie lodge, No. 143, Free and Accepted Masons.. April 5, 1882,
Dr. Crosse was united in marriage to Miss Ella Mary Rood, who
was born in the state of Pennsylvania, being a daughter of Henry
Rood, who was a resident of Sun Prairie at the time of his death.
Dr. and Mrs. Crosse became the parents of three children :
Edith is a member of the class of 1906 in the University of Wiscon-
sin; Frank died in 1904; and Theodore Giles is attending the public
schools of Sun Prairie.

John Culb, a prosperous farmer of the town of Oregon, was born
in the province of Bavaria, Germany, on September 11, 1848, and is
one of three children born to Henry and Elizabeth (Brown) Culb
both of whom are also natives of the Fatherland, where the father
served six years in the German army. John Culb was reared to
manhood in Bavaria and his education was limited to three months
during which he attended a public school there. He was the only
one of the family who ever came to America, and in 1867, when
but nineteen years old, he bade adieu to home and kinsfolk and
sailed for the land of better opportunities. Coming directly to Dane
county, Wis., he worked as a farm hand for the first eight years,
and then began independent farming by renting land, which method
he followed until 1890. During the latter year he moved to the
village of Oregon and purchased a house and three lots near the
Northwestern Railway station, where he resided four years
and which property he still owns. In 1894 he purchased in the
valley of Oregon, the homestead where he now resides, compris-
ing eight acres, and in 1905 bought another house with four and
three-fourths acres of land adjoining the place of his residence.
His career has been a successful one, but it appears the more remark-
able when it is known that he came to America unable to speak
or comprehend a word of the English language, and with a decid-
edly limited education in his native tongue. But he applied himself
assiduously, not only his work but to books and periodicals,
and by a constant practice of this and he has not only succeeded
in a material sense but he is as well posted on current topics as the
average man in any community. In politics he maintains an inde-
pendent attitude and gives his support to men and measures that
meet the approval of his better judgment regardless of party label
14 — iii

210 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

or partisan prejudice. He and his wife are consistent members of
the Lutheran church. Mr. Culb was married on May 1, 1876, the
lady of his choice being Miss Catherine Goerges, a native of Mil-
waukee, where she was born on July 7, 1853. She is one of twelve
children born to Henry and Catherine Goerges, who now reside
at Middleton, Wis. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Culb : Lucy Elizabeth married Matthew Parr and resides in Be-
loit, Wis. ; Anna is employed in the city of Madison ; Lena resides
with an uncle in Minnesota ; Henry George is at home ; Mary mar-
ried William Ward and resides in Brooklyn, Wis. ; and Frederick,
John, Janette, Edward and Earnest Mark reside at home.

J. H. Cunningham, D. D. S., practicing his profession in Madi-
son, was born in the same city on Jan. 3, 1865. He was one of
twelve children of Patrick and Julia Cunningham, both born in
Ireland, the former in 182-1 and the latter ten years later. The
father served for a short time in the Union army during the Civil
War. Two years after his marriage in New York in 1855, he
brought his wife to Madison. The seven surviving members of the
family are David W., Thomas J., Hanna V., J. H., the subject of
this sketch, Mrs. Kelly of Chicago, Mrs. A. O. Bush of Madison
and Alice J., now living in California. The father died in his sixty-
fifth year and the mother in her seventieth. Dr. Cunningham re-
received his preparatory education in the Madison schools and then
acquired his technical training in the Chicago college of dentistry,
being graduated with the class of 1896. Since 1899 he has prac-
ticed in the city of his nativity, and now enjoys a large and lucra-
tive business. Politically Dr. Cunningham is affiliated with the
Democratic party but has never aspired to office. He is a com-
municant of the Roman Catholic church. On June 29, 1905, Dr.
Cunningham led to the altar Miss Agnes S. Dempsey, daughter
of Dennis and Mary Dempsey of the town of Blooming Grove.
There are no children in the family. In a fraternal way the doctor
is identified with the Knights of Columbus.

George W. Currier, deceased, for thirty-four years prominently
identified with the business, social, educational and religious circles
Stoughton, was born at Topsham, Orange county, Vt., May 9, 1847.
He was one of three sons of Edson and Lucinda (Graves) Currier,
the other two being Charles, deceased, and Frank, now clerk of the
municipal court of Dane county. In October, 1866, he came to
Wisconsin, making his home with an uncle in Fulton, Rock county,
Wis.3 for about a year. In the fall of 1867 he entered Albion
academv and alternately taught school and attended classes until

BIOGRAPHICAL. 211

he was graduated from that institution in 1872. In September.
1873, he was elected principal of schools in Stoughton, then a vil-
lage, and for four successive years was re-elected to the position.
During the last session of the forty-fourth congress he was ap-
pointed to a position in the house of representatives and in 1878
was chosen principal of the Shawano, Wis., schools. The follow-
ing fall Mr. Currier returned to Stoughton and engaged in the
general insurance business and continued in it until he was again
chosen, in 1880. as the head of the Stoughton school system.
This position he held until 1885, when he re-embarked in the insur-
ance field, and in that business he continued successfully until his
death. His political associations were with the Republican party,
and for twenty years, as the representative of that organization,
he served as justice of the peace. In 1874 he was the Republican
nominee for clerk of the court and at one time was editor of the
Stoughton Courier, a Republican weekly. In March, 1876, Mr.
Currier was united in marriage to Annette, daughter of Dr. Burrow
and Caroline A. (Sheldon) Burdick of Edgerton, Wis., and to this
union were born two children. — Louis Claire and Zoe L., the latter
now the wife of Ray G. Anderson. Mr. Currier's death occurred
suddenly on May 14, 1906, a hemorrhage of the brain being the
cause. He possessed to a high degree the esteem of his fellow citi-
zens and was ranked as one of the most influential and prominent
men of Stoughton. Any movement having for its object the bet-
terment of his home city found hearty co-operation in this most up-
right man. His sudden demise cast a pall of gloom over the city.
In no place has his loss been more keenly felt than in the congre-
gation of the First Methodist Episcopal church, in whose activities
he had taken a leading part for many years, and among the mem-
bers of the city library board, of which he was a member. The
Stoughton Hub remarked editorially of Mr. Currier.

"Nature used her choicest model of a man when she molded
George W. Currier. His life was gentle. He demeaned no living
thing. He was tender, sympathetic, charitable and wondrous
kind. If he had grievances, he smothered them. Resentment was
not in him ; indeed, he would condone a grievous wrong unto him-
self rather than harbor it. A cheery smile, a genial 'Good morn-
ing,' a warm handclasp were his passports, and he used them every
day in the year to one and all alike. He was never belligerent.
He would not and could not antagonize aggressively. His battles
were always for the right, but he waged them quietly, inoffensively
and with malice toward none. In nothing was he fanatical, but was

212 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

always tolerant, clear-headed and broad. Clean, wholesome humor
had for him a wondrous charm and he was full of it to the brim."

Charles Albert Curtis, captain United States army, retired, now
commandant of the University of Wisconsin corps of cadets, whose
home is at 505 Frances street, Madison, was born at Hallowell,
Kennebec county, Me., October 4, 1835, a son of Charles Stubbs
and Amanda Fit'z Allen (Haram) Curtis, the former a native of
Leeds and the latter of Bath, Me. Captain Curtis is a descendant
of William Curtis, who arrived in New England on the ship Lyon
in 1632. His paternal great-grandfather, William, was a first ser-
geant of a company raised in Hanover, Mass , for the Revolution-
ary War. His maternal great-grandfather, Abner Curtis, was a
second lieutenant of another company from Hanover recruited for
the same conflict, which company also contained Captain Calvin
Curtis, later a distinguished officer of the Continental army, and
fourteen others of the name of Curtis, all lineal descendants of
William, the immigrant of 1632. The committee of correspond-
ence and safety for 1775 and the years following contained as mem-
bers Abner, Bezaleel and Lemuel Curtis, three brothers. There
were few organizations, either military or naval, raised in the town
of Hanover during that critical period of American history which
did not contain some member or members of the Curtis family.
Many of them had served with the English army in the French and
Indian war. The blockhouse of Hanover, erected in the early days
to guard against Indian attacks, was called the Curtis garrison,
and what is now Main street was in the early times known as Cur-
tis street. The famous Curtis forge of Hanover, — which has been
in the possession of the family since 1790, — prior to 1852, when the
government established its own works, made all the anchors for the
United States navy. On his mother's side Captain Curtis is a di-
rect descendant of Captain John Haram who commanded in the
Revolutionary War a company raised in the district of Maine. The
subject of this sketch received his preparatory education in the Ver-
mont military college and his collegiate training in Bowdoin col-
lege, Maine. From July 17, 1861, to April 14, 1862, he served as
private military instructor to the field officers of the First Maine
Infantry, then in the Army of the Potomac, and was then commis-
sioned second lieutenant in Company F, Fifth United States In-
fantry. The appointment was made by Pres. Abraham Lincoln
for "extraordinary merit." After receiving his lieutenancy he con-
tinued service in the same army through the Peninsular campaign
and up to the battle of Antietam. In 1864 he served with his regi-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 213

ment in New Mexico and became a participant in the Indian wars,
fighting against the Navajos, Apaches, Sioux and Cheyennes from
1864 to 1869. His promotion to a first lieutenancy was made March
30, 1864, and to the captaincy September 27, 1865. In December,
1870, he was placed on the retired list of the army and since that
time has been continuously engaged as commandant at some in-
stitution of learning. In 1899 he was appointed a colonel in the
Wisconsin National Guard by Governor R. M. La Follette. In
his political affiliations Captain Curtis is a Republican. His reli-
gious connections are with the Protestant Episcopal church, and he
is identified with many other organizations, among them the
Masonic fraternity, the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, the
Grand Army of the Republic, the Society of the Army of the Poto-
mac, the Organization of the Sixth Army Corps, , the Sons of the
American Revolution, Alpha Pi Sigma fraternity and the Society
of the Scabbard and Blade. On May 17, 1866, Captain Curtis was
united in marriage to Miss Harriette L. Hughes, daughter of Bar-
nett and Martha Lane (Clark) Hughes of Ashland, N. H. To this
union have been born five children, — Wardon A., Laurence A.
George Hughes (died in infancy), Dorothea Hughes, and Barbara
Hilton. Captain Curtis has done considerable writing for news-
papers and periodicals and has had one book published by the Har-
pers.

E. R. Curtiss, Madison's veteran photographer was born in
Southington, Conn., May 6, 1836. His preparatory education was
such as the common schools furnished and his business training
was received in Albany, N. Y. In 1859 he came to Madison and es-
tablished himself in business. His first gallery was in the Badger
block, which occupied the present 'site of the Bowman block, and
then moved to the Keyes building. After his removal from the
Keyes building he conducted his studio in the Klauber block for
twenty-three years. The next five years the Curtiss galleries were
in the Fairchild block and in 1888 they were removed to their pres-
ent location in the Pioneer block. There is probably no photo-
grapher in the state who has had before his camera so many men
of note as has Mr. Curtiss. Every member of the legislature
from the session of 1866 to that of 1905 has been "snapped" by
him, as have also all the governors and other state officers. The
negatives are all in Mr. Curtiss' possession. On May 11, 1859 Mr
Curtiss was united in marriage to Eva A., daughter of John A. and
Martha Lingenfelter of Fonda, N. Y., and to this union were born
three children, — Fred W., also engaged in photography in Madison ;

214 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

May E., wife of H. C. Geiger of Atlanta, Ga. ; and Helen Gertrude,
wife of Paul M. Keely of Sanford, Fla. Mrs. Curtiss is a member
of and a substantial worker in the First Methodist Episcopal
church of Madison. Her husband is a member of the Benevolent
and Protective Order of Elks. Courteous, genial, kindly, Mr. Cur-
tiss has won for himself an enviable position in the hearts of his
fellow citizens ; while his integrity,, square dealing and enterprise
have placed him in the front rank of Madison business men.

James William Custer, a prominent farmer of the town of Dunn,
was born near Madison, Jefferson county, Ind., on March 29,
1834. His father, Jesse Custer, a descendant of Daniel Boone, was
born near Lexington, Ky., in April, 1800 ; the mother, nee Nancy
Spurgen, was born in the same locality in 1804. Of the seven
children in the family four are still living, — Rual F., Isaac, and
Daniel Boone, all living in the old home in Indiana, and James Wil-
liam, a resident of Dunn township, and the subject of this sketch.
What opportunity James William had for an education came in the
schools of Kentucky. When eighteen he started life for himself.
His first employment was cutting saw logs, and it occupied his time
until he was twenty. Another year was spent in a lumber mill and
in 1855 he came to Wisconsin, working as a farm hand for a year.
After five years spent in working land on shares he was enabled to
buy a piece of land one hundred and sixty acres wholly unim-
proved ; today this is one of the best equipped and most success-
ful farms in the vicinity. Politically he is a man of influence in
the councils of the Republican party and for six terms served as
town chairman and one term as supervisor. Mr. Custer for the
past seventeen years has been custodian of the school funds. In
religious matters he is a stanch believer in the principles of the
Methodist Episcopal church. On December 11, 185G, he married
Gertrude, daughter of Philip and Catherine (Dubois) Vanburen. of
Kingston, N. Y. Mrs. Custer was born July 17, 1838, and was edu-
cated in the public schools of Kingston. Of thirteen children of
the Vanburen family Mrs. Custer is the only one still living. The
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Custer has been blessed with eight
children, — John Wesley, born January 3, 1858, married Mary J.
Shoultz, and lives in the town of Dunn ; Frank, born January 19,
I860, married Louisa Shadel, and now lives in South Madison ;
Myrtilla Florence born November 29, 1861, married Myron Conry,
and lives in Bruce, Wis. ; Boone Cary, born December 13, 1863,
died February 9. 1883 ; Jesse, born September 6, 1866, married
Jessie Morse and now lives in Olivia, Minn.; James William, Jr.,

BIOGRAPHICAL. 215

born March 4, 1870, married Lena Palmer, now resides in Delton,
Wis. ; Philip, born February 16, 1873, married Jennie Morse, and
now lives on his father's farm ; and George Washington, born
October 18, 1876, and lives in the town of Blooming Grove. Mr.
Custer expects to spend the remainder of his days in the midst of
the community in which he has attained so prominent a place.

Christian Anderson Dahle was prominent in Dane county for
many years and spent the last years of his life from 1890 until his
death, April 7, 1905, retired from active business in his pleasant
home in Morrisonville. He was born in Norway, December 31,
1831, son of Andrew and Rhoda (Marcus) Dahle, both natives of
Norway. Mrs. Andrew Dahle died in Norway and her husband
came to the United States in 1852, locating on a farm in the town
of Bristol. After a few years in Bristol he went to Minnesota,
where he died. Christian A. Dahle was educated in Norway, came
to Bristol township upon reaching Wisconsin and soon after went
to the northern woods, where he was employed for three years.
Returning to Dane county, he farmed for a while in the town of
Vienna and finally purchased a farm in Bristol, upon which he re-
sided and carried on a successful farming business for twenty-eight
years. For about three years he engaged in mercantile pursuits in
Sun Prairie and then moved to Morrisonville, where Mrs. Dahle
now resides. Mrs. Dahle was, before her marriage, Miss Anna
Johnson, and was born in Norway in 1839, daughter of John Sjur-
son and Christiana (Anderson) Sjurson, both of whom were born
in Norway in the year 1798. In 1848. they came to Dane county
and owned a farm in the town of Bristol. Here Mrs. Sjurson died
in 1878 and her husband lived for some years longer. He died in
Sun Prairie in 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Dahle were blessed with twelve
children, but have been saddened by the loss of nine of their sons
and daughters. The oldest daughter, Randea Maria, and John, the
oldest son, are deceased ; Christiana Carolina, Andrew and Marcus
are the living sons and daughter. The other children were Ole
Andreas, John, Benne Edwin, Ella Josephine, Edwin John, Benne
John and an infant. The family is identified with the Lutheran
church. Mr. Dahle was a Republican in political sympathy but
not an active politician.

Herman Bjorn Dahle, an esteemed and prosperous citizen of Mt.
Horeb and for two terms the representative of the second district
of Wisconsin in the lower house of the United States congress, was
born March 30, 1855, in the town of Perry, Dane county. He
comes of excellent Norwegian stock. His father, Onon Bjornson

216 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Dahle, first saw the light of day in Telemarken, Norway, October 4,
1823, not far from the birthplace of Aasmund Olafson Vinje, Nor-
way's greatest lyric writer. His education was the best offered
to people of Mr. Dahle's means. He attended school until he was
nineteen years of age, first in the district schools and then for a
time at Bronkeberg seminary. The first five years of his life after
the completion of his studies were spent in teaching in his native
parish. While the labor was congenial the salary was not such
as to permit of an easy or even comfortable life, and Mr. Dahle,
in the prime of his manhood, decided to seek his fortune in the
new world. He arrived in New York on July 5, 1848, and started
immediately for Wisconsin by way of the Hudson river, the Erie
canal and the Great Lakes. Milwaukee was reached in August of
the same year, but his stop there was not long, crossing the lake
to Michigan to work in the woods. After a few weeks, however,
he returned to Milwaukee and was ill there for some time. Upon
recovering he sought the Norwegian settlement at Koshkonong and
being physically unable to work at manual labor, taught parochial
school for ten dollars a month, board and lodging coming from the
parents of his pupils. Thus was the winter of 1848-1849 spent. In
the spring a cousin, Knute Dahle, joined him and the two pioneers
"hired out" for the summer and fall. It was evident to both
Dahles that there was no more than a bare existence to be had
from this kind of labor so they determined to cast their lot with
the emigrants to the California goldfields, the excitement of which
was then at its height. The start of the journey westward was on
foot, through Madison, Blue Mounds and Platteville to Galena.
111., where a steamer was taken to St. Louis. The winter of
1859-60 saw the Dahles cutting wood near St. Louis in order to ob-
tain money enough to continue their journey. The hardships and
trials endured in the journey across the prairie and mounta'ns
would fill a small volume; suffice it to say that after successfully
combating the fatigues and overcoming the difficulties incident to
the trip the Dahles arrived in Georgetown, Cal., on August 5, 1850
Here they met a countryman, a sailor, who had a claim near by
and offered them the opportunity of working it for him. The
claim proved to be worthless and the two young men, with seven
dollars each, given them by their newly found friend, started for
Sacramento. At Sacramento they went to work on the levee at
$75 a month. Cholera was raging in the vicinity at the time and
Knute was stricken. The attack was not severe, however, and as
soon as he was able to move his cousin took him to San Francisco

BIOGRAPHICAL. 217

and from there, by steamer, to Oregon. During the winter they
earned a livelihood by cutting and rafting trees to a saw mill near
Salem and in the spring returned to the goldfields. At Yreka,
where gold had been but lately discovered, the Dahles were fairly
successful, but before end of the summer their water supply gave
out and they removed to a claim on the Humbug river. They
"struck it rich" on the Humbug and after prospecting for some
time in the vicinity, they determined to return to Koshkonong.
The trip was made via Sacramento, San Francisco, the Isthmus of
Panama, New Orleans, St. Louis and Galena to Koshkonong,
where they arrived on January 3, 1853. Later in the same year
O. B. Dahle located in Perry, where he opened a small store. His
business interests in this town continued until 1897, when he re-
tired and removed to Mr. Horeb. In 1854 O. B. Dahle married
Miss Betsy Nelson of Racine and the union has been blessed with
several children, four of whom are still living, Hon. Herman B.,
the subject of this sketch ; Mrs. James A. Peterson of Minneapolis,
a graduate of the University of Wisconsin ; Theodore Dahle, asso-
ciated with the former congressman in the Mt. Horeb business
concern; and Henry L. Dahle of Mt. Horeb. Hon H. B. Dahle
received his education in the district schools of the town of Perry
and for a while attended the University of Wisconsin. In 1877 he
married Miss Anne Kittleson of Perry and the same year removed
to Mt. Vernon, where he engaged in the general merchandise busi-
ness. Ten years later he made Mt. Horeb his home, becoming"
the senior partner in the firm of Dahle Brothers. He is also
largely interested in and was one of the incorporators of the Mt.
Horeb bank. \ His first election to congress was in 1898, and in 1900
he was re-elected, receiving some 22,000 votes. Politically he is a
Republican and has for many years been a leader in his party.

Charles Dahlk is a prosperous farmer of Middleton and a veteran
of the Union army. With his brother he came to America in
1857 and located in Middleton. The brothers were natives of
Mecklenburg-Shwerin, where their parents, Christian and Sophia
Dahlk always lived. Christian was a laborer and the father of
four sons and two daughters, of whom Charles and John came to
America and afterward Frederick Joachem. Charles was born Au-
gust 29, 1830. received his education in the common schools in Ger-
many and upon coming to Middleton, became a farmer. Taking
up eighty acres of wild land in section 32, he proceeded to clear it
and later added to it another eighty acres. Many improvements
were made and substantial buildings erected. In 1878 this farm was

218 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

sold and the present "homestead purchased. This was formerly
owned by Samuel Billings and was already under cultivation. Mr.
Dahlk built he barns in 1880 and rebuilt the house the same year.
He is a member of the Republican party, has held a position on the
school board and other local offices. In 1864 he enlisted in the
Forty-second Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry as a
private in Company I. Until the end of the war his regiment was
stationed at Cairo and engaged in picket and guard duty there.
The last year he served under Captain Michals. In November,
1865, Mr. Dahlk married Miss Esther Lillibridge of Middleton, a
daughter of Clark and Eliza (Tift) Lillibridge, who came to New
York from Washington, R. I., and in 1857 came to Wisconsin.
Mr. Lillibridge was a farmer and lumberman. Mr. Dahlk has
joined the Evangelical Association and is one of its earnest sup-
porters.

Chas C. Dahn, of Waunakee, was born in Germany, December
31, 1867, and came with his parents to Dane in 1869. His father,
William Dahn, born 1839, and his mother, Frederica (Schwenn)
Dahn, born 1838, were also Germans ; they came first to the town
of Dane but soon after moved to Vienna, where they owned a farm
of two hundred acres. This Mr. Dahn improved and paid for by
his own hard labor, and was their home for many years until they
felt that their age and toil entitled them to the more restful con-
ditions of village life, and they made their residence in the village
of Dane. Charles, being scarcely more than a babe when his par-
ents came to this country, has received an American education in
the common schools of Vienna. He has followed his father both
in the choice of his occupation and in the industry with which he
improves his farm of one hundred and twenty acres. He is allied
to the Republican party in his politics, and he and his wife, — as
are also his parents, — are members of the Lutheran church. On
January, 1895, he was married to Miss Louise W7ilke, who was
born in Dodge county, October 20. 1871. She is the daughter
of Carl and Caroline (Schwenn) Wilke, who are also mentioned in
this work. Their children are Deloy Agnes, born December. 3,
1896, William Carl, born January 27, 1897. died January, 1897;
Elmer Otto, born December 21, 1899; Roy Ernest, born April 21,
1905.

Bjorn T. Daley has been a prominent and successful farmer of
the town of Perry for many years and is the son of a pioneer of
Dane county. He was born in Nessedal, Norway, August 1-1, 1848,
son of Torge and Anna (Johnson) Daley, both natives of Norway.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 219

The family embarked for America in 1852, when Bjorn was a child
four years old, and came to Dane county immed ately upon their
arrival in the United States. Koshkonong was their first home but
after one year Mr. Daley purchased a farm in the town of Perry
which was his home until his death in 1861. His widow con-
tinued to reside upon the farm with her children and died there in
1890. There were four children in the family : Bjorn, John, who
now lives in North Dakota ; Anna, Mrs. Hans Severson of Pierre,
South Dakota'; Carrie, Mrs. Martin Kittleson of North Dakota.
Bjorn attended school in Perry and after his father's death assisted
his mother and brothers in the work of the farm, gradually assum-
ing the entire control. He resided upon the old homestead of
two hundred acres until 1906, when he left it to the care of his
son and purchased a small home of sixty-five acres near Dahle-
ville, which is his present home. Mr. Daley has seen the growth
of the country from a wild, sparsely settled district to a fertile
and productive land and has always stood ready to do his part in
any work for the advancement of the community. He has served
as treasurer of the school board for twenty-five years, took the
United States census in that neighborhood in 1900 and has served
several terms as supervisor, and is secretary and treasurer of the
Perry Fire Insurance company, serving his second year. He is a
member of the Republican party. In 1871, Mr. Daley married
Miss Mary Iverson, a native of Norway, who died in 1880. Six
■children were born to the marriage: Isaac married Alma Boden
and lives in Perry ; Anna is Mrs. Oscar Olson of Minnesota ;
Theodore resides with his parents ; Amanda married Carl Hoiby of
New Glarus ; two children died in infancy. The second wife of
Mr. Daley was Miss Hannah Peterson, also a native of Norway,
daughter of Edward and Maren Peterson. Seven children blessed
the marriage ; Oscar, who married Miss Emma Peterson and lives
in Iowa county; Clara, Albert. Thea, Alvin and Ruth, who reside
with their parents.

James O. Davidson, Into the career of the present governor of
the great state of Wisconsin have entered no elements of special
dramatic intensity, no startling episodes. He has risen to success
and distinction by normal means and through worthy effort. In
reviewing his life it is found that interpretation follows fact in a
direct line of derivation, and that each step has in a measure
presaged what the next would compass with all of surety and de-
termination. Governor Davidson has risen to the position of ex-
ecutive head of one of the creat commnwealths of the union, a

220 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

state of cosmopolitan social fabric, and he has made a definite im-
press upon his times as a loyal and public spirited citizen, holding
inviolable the interests of the people and showing that sturdy
manhood from whose well-springs come all that is best and most
permanent in life. He is the first of Scandinavian birth or lineage
to be elevated to the gubernatorial chair of Wisconsin, and the
honor is one well merited. His past services having clearly in-
dicated the solidity and unassuming integrity of this sturdy son of
the fair Norseland. James O. Davidson was born in Sogn, Nor-
way, February 10, 1854, coming of a sterling lineage but of a family
whose lives but exemplified the "short and simple annals of the
poor." His parents are deceased but he has two sisters living.
His early training was such as to beget in him a deep appreciation
of the dignity of honest toil and endeavor, and principles of honesty
and industry were inculcated in his mind, to dominate and direct
a life of great usefulness in broader fields than the lad himself
could possibly apprehend or realize. His early educational ad-
vantages were exceedingly limited in scope, "the only schooling he
received being from itinerant religious instructors who traveled
from farm to farm, imparting instruction to the children of one
family and then passing on to the next farm, returning again at in-
frequent intervals." The resume of Governor Davidson's life
from which the above excerpt is taken, continues as follows:
"This may have been a blessing, as in not be surfeited with an
overabundance of studies his mind developed normally, and ex-
hib'ts today a keenness that adds force to the arguments of those
who are contending for what they call a rational method of edu-
cation, where the brain is not prematurely forced beyond the
strength of the body, to later suffer from reactionary effects." It
may well be imagined that a youth fostered under such influences
and conditions would wax strong and self-reliant, the spur of
necessity having ever a potent and beneficent function when ap-
plied to the one who is intrinsically stanch and valiant of soul and
purpose. Quoting again from the article to which recourse has
already been had, "At the age of eighteen years he arrived in Madi-
son, Wisconsin, friendless, penniless, unable to speak or under-
stand the language of the country and in debt for his passage
money. The first work he did was on a farm. Later he learned
the tailor's trade, and then abandoned this to clerk in a general
store. Within a few years he had saved enough to enable him to
open a general at Soldiers' Grove, Crawford county, and this
place has ever since been his home, his business increasing from

BIOGRAPHICAL. 221

year to year. In 1885 his store was destroyed by fire, entailing a
loss of ten thousand dollars, this being attributed to incendiaries,
but the store was immediately rebuilt. In 1892, when the cause of
the Republican party appeared hopeless in Wisconsin and in
Davidson's county, the leaders of the party, in casting around for
an especially strong candidate for the legislature, picked up Mr.
Davidson and, in spite of his protests, nominated him as a candi-
date for the assembly. That these leaders had not mistaken in at-
tributing to Mr. Davidson those qualities which make a man
strong, had not overestimated his popularity and strength, was
later demonstrated by the fact of his election, although every other
Republican candidate whose name appeared on the ticket with him
was defeated. A contest was inaugurated in the assembly but his
election had been so decisive that even a Democratic assembly al-
lowed him to retain his seat. Twice he was re-elected, but he
never forgot that he was in the assembly to represent his con-
stituents. With a mental grasp of the fundamental principles up-
on which rests the foundation of representative government, he
stood aloof from the corporation control that had dulled the con-
science of too many who have been elevated to similar positions
of trust, and he introduced and had the satisfaction of seeing
framed as law. a bill for the taxation of express companies, by
which they were taxed for the first time in the history of the state ;
also a bill to increase the taxes paid by telegraph, telephone, sleep-
ing car, insurance and other corporations. During the legislative
session of 1895 Mr. Davidson introduced and secured the passage
of a law creating the office of state bank examiner, which has led
up to the present efficient and highly satisfactory system of bank
supervision securing, as it does, the confidence of depositors, thus
placing the business of banking on a higher and safer plane, and
today Wisconsin's banking law is the model for many of the other
states. Mr. Davidson was elected state treasurer in 1898 and re-
elected in 1900, bringing to that office the same careful business
methods applied in his private affairs. ''The interest on public
funds turned into the state treasury during his tenure of office was
one hundred and one thousand dollars, or three-fold greater than
under previous administrations, and of the three million dollars
of public funds invested by him as treasurer there was not a dol-
lar's loss to the state." In 1902 Mr. Davidson was elected lieu-
tenant governor of the state, on the ticket with Hon. Robert M.
La Follette, now United States senator, and from this fact it will
be seen that the people of Wisconsin were determined to retain

222 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

him in the public service, though he had been involuntarily drawrt
into the political arena at the start. "As presiding officer of the
senate Lieutenant Governor Davidson was as fair and courteous
as he personally is genial and popular with his associates." The
resignation of Governor La Follette to accept the office of United
States senator, brought Mr. Davidson to the gubernatorial chair,
into which he was inducted January 1, 1906. His record, official
and private, is unblemished and he has in a high degree the ele-
ments of personal popularity and strength. He never inclines in
the least to spectacular effects but moves calmly and effectively
along the course of honor and integrity in official capacity, bring-
ing to bear his full powers in fostering and protecting public in-
terests and showing a keen and accurate administrative ability.
He has never violated a trust placed in his keeping, and his career
in the field of public life and activity has been creditable alike to
him and to the great state of his adoption. From the article from
which the previous quotations are made are drawn the following
appreciative statements. "He is a strong man, of vigorous intel-
lect, honest to the core, one entirely in sympathy with the Repub-
lican policy as outlined by President Roosevelt, and thoroughly in
favor of restoring to the people the rights which in the past few
years have been taken from them by the usurpation of the great,
corporations. While he is a man of strong convictions and always
ready to stand for what he believes is right, he is not so radical but
what in every movement he displays a coolness of judgment, a
breadth of vision, a keenness of insight and a fairness that make
him a safe and able man for the office of governor. The story of
the life of James O. Davidson should be an inspiration to young
men, convincing them that the development of character is more to
be sought than the accumulation of wealth, offering in itself the
highway that is most likely to lead to success worthy the name."'
At Readstown, Wisconsin, was solemnized the marriage of Gov-
ernor Davidson to Miss Helen Bliss, and they have two daughters,
Mabel and Grace, the former of whom was a student in the Uni-
versity of Wisconsin with the class of 1906. The governor was.
reared in the faith of the Lutheran church, in which he was con-
firmed, but the family is now affiliated with the Methodist Episco-
pal church. He is a Mason of high rank and is also identified with
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Wood-
men of America.

Thomas Davidson of Verona, is the son of Scottish parents,
Adam and Mary (Ferry) Davidson. The former was born at

BIOGRAPHICAL. 223

Greenlaw, Scotland, May 5, 1811, and came first to Toronto, Can-
ada, where he remained one year, coming to Dane county in 1844,
and settling on the farm now occupied by his son, Adam. They
had six children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the old-
est; the others were Neal, (deceased); Adam, of Verona; Sarah,
married Thomas Thomas, of Dodgeville ; Bridget, married Melvil
Proud of Madison ; Maggie, married Dennis McMahon, of Emery,
S. D. Thomas Davidson was born in Verona, Jan. 11, 1847, was
reared in his native place, obtaining his education at the public
schools. He adopted the vocation of farming and in 1878 bought
the place where he at the present time resides. It consists of four
hundred and forty acres in sections 29, 31 and 32. He is a gen-
eral farmer and stock raiser, making a specialty of the breeding of
short-horn Durham cattle. He was married Feb. 7, 1877, to Miss
Agnes White of Verona, who was born on the place where they
now reside. They have had five children, Jennie, deceased, William,
Margaret, Jessie and Blanche. Mr. Davidson is a Republican and
has held a position on the school board. Mrs. Davidson's father
was Peter White who was born in Scotland, came to this country
when a young man, being one of the pioneer settlers of this local-
ity and located in Dane county in 1850 ; he married Miss Jessie
Black, also a native of Scotland. He was a farmer all his life, but
died when Mrs. Davidson was about eight years old, in 1866, aged
about forty ; Mrs. Davidson's mother died in 1865, aged twenty-
seven. There were three children, Agnes Adalaide, (Mrs. David-
son) ; Jennie Eveline, (Mrs. Adam Davidson) ; John Alexander,
who died when a child. The family belonged to the Presbyterian
church.

Hon. Romanzo E. Davis, ex state senator and merchant of Mid-
dleton, Wis., has for many years been prominent in state and local
politics and was one of the early residents of the village. He is the
son of Jepther and Harriet (Conger) Davis, who came from New
York state to Wisconsin in 1846, locating in Green county. Here
Mr. Davis was a woolen manufacturer in which business and the
management of a large farm in Green county, his son, Romanzo,
assisted him. Mr. Davis was a Democrat. Eight sons and daugh-
ters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Davis, of whom the eldest daughter,
Elmira, died ; Corintha lived in California, but is now deceased,
passing away at the age of eighty-three }rears ; Louisa and Electa
are dead; Truman lives at Madison, Wis.; Amanda is employed in
the United States postal department in Washington,. D. C, and
Sarah resides in Chicago, 111. All were educated in the home

224 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

schools and Romanzo was one of the students at the University of
Wisconsin in its early days, from 1850 to 1853. R. E. Davis was
born in Wyoming county. N. Y. in 1831, came with his parents to
Attica, Green county, Wis., and remained with them until he was
twenty-five years of age. In 1857 he was engaged in forwarding
houses, in the grain and commission business in Cole county, Mo.,
as clerk, and four years later, started in the grain business at Cross
Plains. In 1865 he located at Middleton and soon became promi-
nent in local affairs. At that time Middleton was a small village
but the center of a prosperous and growing farming community
and for four years Mr. Davis was occupied in shipping grain and
produce to Milwaukee. Becoming interested in politics, he was
elected to the state senate on the Republican ticket in 1869 and
occupied his seat four years. He was .elected for four years more
on the Democratic ticket. Winfield Scott was the first candidate
for president voted for by the young politician. After 1872 he
voted the Democratic ticket. In 1877 he was nominated for lieuten-
ant governor, but failed to be elected. In 1879 he opened a store
for general merchandise in Middleton and carried on a large and
flourishing business until 1887, when he retired. Mr. Davis was
a member of the I. O. O. F. of Midclleton and was Grand Master of
the state in 1880. Also a charter member of the Masonic Lodge
of the village, he was for many years prominent in the order. For
two years he was appointed by Governor Ludington, one of the
trustees of the State Hospital for the insane at Mendota and has
been for seven years one of the commissioners of the Dane county
poor farm and asylum. At one time he was president of the Mid-
dleton Fire and Lightning Ins. Co., and is now its secretary. In
1861, Mr. Davis married Miss Miltimore from New York and they
still make Middleton their home.

Truman P. Davis, retired, of 235 West Gilman street, Madison,
was born at Sheldon, Wryoming county, N. Y., August 23. 1828.
His father, Jepther Davis, was born in Wales, Mass. At the age
of eighteen, Jepther's father gave him his time and he learned the
manufacture of woolen goods. In Attica, N. Y., he married Har-
riet Conger, a native of Oneida county, N. Y. In 1844 he left New
York and drifted west through Illinois and Michigan, looking for
a suitable location for a mill. In Green county, Wis., he finally
found a spot best suited to his purpose. Four acres of land with
desirable water power were purchased and Mr. Davis erected a
carding mill, which he operated for twelve years and then sold.
This was one of the first mills in the state, and the town which

BIOGRAPHICAL. 225

grew tip around it was named Attica, after the town of that name
in New York. Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Jepther
Davis four are now living, their ages averaging about seventy-five
years. Truman P. Davis' education was very limited. With his
father's family he came west, arriving in Milwaukee at noon on
April 25, 1846, and at Attica, May 2. He worked in the factory
with his father until he was twenty-one. In 1852 he returned to
the east and stayed there two years. The western fever was
strong in Mr. Davis, however, and he came back to Green county
and opened a general store. In 1863 he sold out and went to Wal-
worth county, where he took to farming for the benefit of his
health, keeping an interest in several cheese-factories and a general
store. Later he went to Middleton and for several years kept a
store there. In 1885 he located in Madison ; and in 1895 he built
the home where he now resides at 235 West Gilman street. Un-
like his father, who was a radical Democrat, Air. Davis is independ-
ent in politics. He served the citizens of the town of Attica, as
justice of the peace two years. His church affiliations, like his
mother's, are with the Methodist Episcopal church. On April 25,
1851, he married Nancy E., daughter of Simeon P. and Anna M.
(Farnham) Noyes. Mr. Noyes first saw the light of day on April
3, 1800, in Canaan, N.- H. ; Mrs. Noyes was born in Bennington,
N. Y., October 18. 1810 ; they were married December 31, 1828.
Five children were* born to them, — Annetta, deceased, wife of
Charles H. Wilder; Almira, deceased, wife of Marvin Colton ;
Nancy E., (Mrs. Davis) ; George S., deceased, and Ira. deceased.
Simeon P. Noyes was a farmer who went from Black Rock, N. Y.,
to Bennington, N. Y., where he was a very extensive farmer, some-
times employing as many as thirty men. In 1856. he went
to Evansville, Wis., and later removed to Walworth county, where
he died. He also farmed extensively in Wisconsin. His first wife
died in 1811 ; he was married a second time to Electa Powers of
Sheldon, N. Y., who died in 1898 at the advanced age of ninety-
three. Truman P. and Nancy E. Davis have had four children, —
Ida, died in infancy; Romaine E., drowned August 27, 1903; he was
president of the First National bank at Park Falls, Minn., also
president of the Akley bank of Akley. Minn., and left a widow and
two children, Donna and Rudyard E. ; Etta Estella, wife of Prof.
J. W. Shuster, of the University of Wisconsin ; and Nellie E., died
in infancy. In 1893 Mr. Davis retired from an active business.

Edward F. DeBower is a representative citizen of Vienna. He
is of German descent, although his name indicates, perhaps re-
15 — iii

22G HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

motely, a French ancestor. His grandparents, Eden and Gesina
(Folken) DeBowers, were born and died in Germany, the former
attaining the age of sixty-five and the latter seventy-five years.
His parents were Simeon and Marie (Froh) DeBower, born re-
spectively in 1832 and 1845 ; the former came to America in 1857
and settled in Vienna township. He was accompanied by a
brother, Gerd DeBower, and the brothers took a farm and worked
in partnership for some time. With the thrift characteristic of
their nationality, they were the owners of a fine tract of three hun-
dred and twenty acres of land at the dissolution of the partnership.
Mrs. DeBower came to America in 1870 and was married after her
arrival here. Mr. DeBower afterward associated his son, Edward,
with him in his farming operations, and at the time of his death,
owned, clear of debt, a farm of three hundred and forty-eight acres.
He was in politics a Republican, and both he and his wife were
members of the Lutheran church. The family of five children all
received a good education. The oldest, Emily, began in the com-
mon school, and finished in the academy connected with the North-
western Business college. She married John Christiansen, and
lives at Berrien Springs, Mich. Edward, the subject of this sketch,
was born April 28, 1873. He early became his father's assistant
on the farm and afterward fitted himself for independent work in
the Northwestern Business college, Madison, having been gradu-
ated from that institution in 1892. Following graduation he
taught school for two years, and then took up his life on the farm,
purchasing eighty acres of the old homestead. This he runs as a
stock farm, specialties being short-horn cattle and Poland hogs.
He is a Republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church
and continues his interest in educational and public affairs as clerk
of the school board and assessor of the town of Vienna. His two
sisters, Louise and Tillie were educated at the Stoughton academy;
the elder is a teacher and the younger resides at home. Andrew J.
the youngest of the family, was educated in the Lodi high school,
and was graduated with the class of 1902. He served as telegraph
operator and station agent at Manyaska, Minn., for two years, and
was at Toledo. Iowa, with the C. & N. W. R'y. Co. He also took the
census of Vienna for 1905. He is at present taking the electrical
engineering course at Scranton Correspondence school. The fam-
ily record exhibits unusual marks of thrift, energy and intelligence,
every member of it being act'vely engaged in honorable employ-
ment.

Dennis Dempsey, one of the pioneers of Dane county, was born

BIOGRAPHICAL. 227

at Ballincash, county of Wexford, Ireland, August 4, 1820, his
parents, Morgan and Dorothy (Foley) Dempsey, both being na-
tives of the Emerald Isle. For four hundred years the Dempsey
family were Irish farmers, succeeding each other in the county of
Wexford. Dennis Dempsey was educated in the common schools
of his native county, and in early life was a miller. After his mar-
riage he pursued the avocation of a farmer. On September 11,
1843, he was married to Mary, daughter of Owen and Catherine
(French) Dempsey, of county Wexford, and on March 24, 1850,
embarked with his wife and three children on a vessel bound for
America. Upon landing in this country they made their way di-
rectly to W sconsin, which was then on the frontier. The father
purchased eighty acres of land in the town of Blooming Grove —
the present family homestead — and to this he afterward added one
hundred and sixty acres, making a farm of two hundred and forty
acres of fine land. He was Democrat in his political affiliations,
held the office of town treasurer and other local offices. In re-
ligion he was a Catholic and helped to erect the first Catholic
church in the city of Madison, where he held his membership until
his death, which occurred on Feb. 19, 1904. During his life of
more than half a century in the county he was always regarded as
one of the most worthy of her representative citizens. t Dennis
and Mary Dempsey had ten children, five sons and five daughters.
Owen, (deceased) ; Dora M. ; Mary Ann, (deceased) ; Morgan is a
Catholic priest in Detroit, Mich.; W'lliam; Catherine is the wife
of Warren A. Carter, a prominent lumberman of Ludington. Mich. ;
Agnes S., is the wife of Dr. John Cunningham of Madison; Es-
ther E. ; Dennett R. who has resided in Denver for several years ;
and John still lives on the old homestead. Mrs. Dennis Dempsey
died September 22. 1900.

, William Dempsey. the third son and the fifth child of Denis
and Mary Dempsey, was born at Blooming Grove, Dane county,
April 6, 1856. He was educated in the common schools in the
town of Blooming Grove and at Madison, and after attaining his
majority went to Nebraska, where he opened a grocery and pro-
vision store, and also purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty
acres of land. Owing to the depression caused by dry seasons,
he sold his stock of goods and returned to the old homestead,
though he st'll owns his farm and store building at Alliance, Neb.
He says he expects to spend the remainder of his days on the farm
where he was born, and which is endeared to him by many hal-
lowed associations. In his political views Mr. Dempsey is a

228 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Democrat, — one of the kind who is always ready to defend his
principles. While living in Nebraska he was elected to represent
his county in the general assembly and served one term. He has
also held the office of clerk in the town of Blooming Grove. He
is a member of the Catholic church in Madison and is a contributor
to its charitable work. He has never married.

William H. Denison, deceased, for many years a prominent and
prosperous business man of the capital city, was born in Madison,
Aug. 12, 1858. He was a son of Henry and Mary (Pyncheon)
Denison, the latter a native of Madison, born in 1846 when that
city was but a village. The father was a native of Brookfield,
New York, who was drowned in 1865 while serving as a volunteer
in the Union army. His widow afterward became Mrs. John B.
Eugene, and is still a resident of Madison. The subject of this
sketch was the only child of the family. He was but seven years
of age at the time of his father's death. His "bringing up" was
In Madison, where he attended the common schools and when fif-
teen years of age began driving a dray for John Pyncheon, an
uncle, who had purchased his father's business. After a year's
work as an employe of his uncle he purchased the controlling inter-
est in the business and from 1874 until the time of his demise was
the active manager of it. The company has grown from a one-
horse affair with headquarters in a dilapidated shed to a concern
of considerable dimensions. The barns of the company today are
in a substantial brick building, and the equipment is many times
as large as originally. By good business management and econ-
omy Air. Den' son built up the business until it has become exceed-
ingly remunerative. For many years, in connection with his other
affairs, he made a business of shipping ice to packing firms in large
cities. The revenue derived therefrom was by no means small
and at the time of his death he was one of the most comfortably
situated men of the city. On August 7, 1876, he married Miss
Anna Sullivan, who died in November, 1891. His second mar-
riage occurred March 12, 1893, to Mrs. Margaret (Shanley) Sulli-
van, a native of Madison of Irish ancestry, her father and mother.
Michael and Margaret (Foley) Shanley, both emigrating from
the Emerald Isle. They were pioneers of the state, having arrived
in 1841. Mr. Shanley died September 21, 1881, and his wife on
April 18, 1893. They were members of the Catholic church. Their
six children were John B., now an engineer on the Rio Grande
railroad, who resides at Denver, Colo. ; Thomas C, a railroad yard-
master at Minneapolis ; James C, a railroad employe, living in

BIOGRAPHICAL. 229

Minneapolis; Bernard M., depot master at Chicago; Ella, who died
in her tenth year; and Margaret, the widow of W. H. Denison.
By a previous marriage, on January 25, 1880, to William Sullivan,
an engineer employed by the Chicago & Northwestern road, Mrs.
Denison is the mother of three children. Ella Sullivan makes her
home with her mother, and acts as her private secretary. She is a
graduate of the Madison business college and an efficient and prac-
tical book keeper. Maud Sullivan became the wife of E. W. Batch-
elder of Pennsylvania and is the mother of one child, Dorothy.
William H. Sullivan is an electrician working in Minneapolis. Mr.
Denison's death occurred September 19, 1894. His widow has
assumed charge of the business and it is prospering. Mr. Deni-
son was a man of sound business sense and genial, k'ndly manner.
His death cast a pall of gloom over all his friends.

Albert R. Denu, a young attorney of Dane county, and a mem-
ber of the firm of Alesserschmidt & Denu of Madison, was born in
Dane county, April 9, 1877. He is a son of Philip and Albertine C.
(Steffen) Denu, natives of Germany, who came to the United
States in 1871, settling in Mazomanie, the same year. In 1891 the
father removed to Madison and became an oil merchant, in which
business he has been interested ever since. There were five chil-
dren in the family, the subject of this sketch being the eldest.
Emil H. is advertising manager of the State Journal, a daily paper,
published in Madison. Willard R. is a druggist in Beloit.
Autie L. is a member of the University of Wiscons'n class of 1908.
The other child died in infancy. Albert R. Denu is a graduate of
the Madison high school in the class of 1895 and of the University
of Wiscons'n in the class of 1899, with the degree of B. L. Dur-
ing the scholastic year of 1899-1900 he taught in the Madison high
school and then went to Washington, where he entered the law de-
partment of the Georgetown University. In 1903 he was gradu-
ated with the degree of LL. B. and the following scholastic year
was an instructor in the department of oratory in the University
of Wisconsin. Since that time he has been engaged in the practice
of law, and has been eminently successful. The firm as it is now
formed was established in January, 1906. Mr. Denu practices in
all the state courts and the federal courts within the state. While
a student in the high school he was a member of the debating team
which defeated a similar team from the east division high school
of M'lwaukee. Again while a university student he was on the
two winning debating teams which defeated the Universities of
Iowa and Illinois. During his course at Georgetown he repre-

'230 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

sented his school on the debating team which won from Columbia
law school. In his senior year at the University of Wisconsin he
was the winner of the final oratorical contest and represented his
school in the incollegiate contest at Oberlin, Ohio. Politically he
is a Republican. During the campaign of 1904 he took an active
part, speak ng in practically all the towns and villages of the
county. He filled some of the engagements in Dane county,
which Gov. R. M. La Follette was unable to meet. On numerous
occasions he has delivered Fourth of July and Decoration day ad-
dresses. At the present time Mr. Denu is a candidate for the
Republican nomination for district attorney of Dane county. On
November 22, 1905, he was united in marriage to M'ss Adeline
Belsham. a native of England who came to the United States with
her parents when a small child. Her parents, Christopher and
Hannah M. (Grounsell) Belsham, are now residents of Madison,
the father being employed as a mechanic. Mrs. Denu is a mem-
ber of the Baptist church. Her husband is considered one of the
rising young lawyers of the community.

Clark B. Devine, M. D., is a promising young physician of Mar-
shall. He was born in Oregon, Dane county, Jan. 12, 1879. His
parents are Judson B. Devine. born in Pennsylvania, June 28, 1846,
and Margaret (Kellor) Devine, a native of Canada, born April 14,
1854. His paternal grandfather. Dewitt Cl'nton Devine, a native
of Pennsylvania, and five brothers, came west and all settled on
farms in Oregon township, Dane county; all of this family of young
pioneers, with one exception, have died in their adopted home, and
the father of Dr. Devine resides in the village of Oregon. His
maternal grandfather came to Dane from Canada in 1856, and died
in Wisconsin. Dr. Devine's father came to Wisconsin with his
parents when he was a babe six weeks old, received his educat'on
in the common schools of the county and has practically spent his
whole life within its boundaries. Politically he affiliates with the
Republican party and has held various town offices. He marr'.ed
the widow of his half-brother, who had, at the time of her second
marriage, one son; the subject of this sketch is the only child of
the second marriage. Dr. Devine has received a liberal education
having been graduated from the Oregon high school in June, 1895,
from the Un'versity of Wisconsin with the class of 1900 and from
Rush Medical College of Chicago, in 1903. He began his practice
of medicine in Marshall, where he is meeting with success in his
chosen profession. In politics, he follows the family trad'tions and
votes with the Republican party. On October 26, 1904, he was

BIOGRAPHICAL. 231

married to Miss Alice J. Man son, who is a native of Texas, born
Oct. 24, 1879, the daughter of Alexander P. Manson and Sarah, his
wife, of Belleville, Wis. Dr. Devine is a member of the E. F. U.
and M. W. A. and Beavers, and :s the examining physician for all
these societies ; he also belongs to the Royal Laborers and has
acted in the same capacity for that association.

Michael Devine (deceased) was for many years a resident of
Madison, well-known in the city. He was born in Ireland in 1827,
son of Patrick and Catherine (Lonergran) Devine, both natives of
Ireland. Mr. Devine commenced life as a railroad man and by
faithful and untiring effort won for himself a comfortable home
and an established position in the community, where he made many
warm friends. In October, 1851, he married Miss Margaret Mull-
downey, who was born in Ireland in 1834, daughter of Hugh and
Mary (Whalen) Mulldowney. Mr. Devine was one of a family of
eight children. Both Mr. Devine and his wife were confirmed in
the Roman Catholic church, which Mrs. Devine regularly attends.
Eight children were born to them; John (deceased). Joseplrne,
who resides with her mother ; Hubert Augustine, who married
Mary Clarke and resides in Fond du Lac, Wis. ; Katherine, who
married Charles L. Wright and resides in Caro, Michigan ; Mary
Alice res'des with her mother; James Gilbert and Ephraim De
Forrest are deceased ; William Henry makes his home with Mrs.
Devine. Mr. Devine was identified with the Republican party.

John Dickert is the efficient fireman and day watchman at the
postoffice building in the city of Madison, and during his incum-
bency of that position during the past twenty years he has proven
himself worthy of the confidence imposed. He was born in the
state of Bavaria, a part of the German Empire, on May 19, 1842,
and is the son of John and Maria ( Dauer) Dickert, both of whom
were natives of the same country, the father having served in the
regular army of Germany for about six years. Of the five children
born to these parents, the subject of this review is the only sur-
vivor. The father came to America with his family ;n 1852, and
resided there for the ensuing ten years, when he removed to Madi-
son, WTis. He remained in Dane county only one year, engaged
as a farm hand, and then returned to New York, entered the busi-
ness of gardening and resided there the remainder of his life. He
and his wife have both been deceased for several years. John
Dickert, whose name introduces this review, attended school in
Germany until he was ten years of age, when he accompanied his
parents to America. He then attended school in New York for a

232 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

time, but when seventeen years old he began the battle of life, and
after coming to Madison worked as an apprentice in a chair fac-
tory for about two years. He then entered the service of the gov-
ernment as a carpenter, enlisting for the term of six months, and
at the expiration of that time returned to Madison and worked for
a furniture-manufacturing firm for one year. He then entered the
employ of a firm in Madison, engaged in the manufacture of plows,
and remained so employed for about four years. His next employ-
ment was w.'th the firm of Fuller & Johnson, and after eight years
with that manufacturing institution he worked as a fireman in
Fauerbach's brewery for four years. He then accepted the posi-
tion he now holds, and has filled the same very acceptably, as is
evidenced by his long employment therein. Possessing the frugal-
ity so characteristic of his race, as a result of his years of toil he is
surrounded with evidences of material prosperity. The first pur-
chase he made in Madison was a lot in Fitch's addition to the city,
which he sold later and bought another upon which he erected the
beaut' ful home where he now resides. Mr. Dickert was married
on May 22, 1866, to Margaret Breitenbach, who was born in the
state of New York, Oct. 19, 1848, and whose parents, George and
Margaret (Shuman) Breitenbach, were natives of Bavaria, Ger-
many. Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Breitenbach,
four are living, viz : Margaret, who is the wife of the subject of
this review; Theresa; Mary, who married S. B. Splonskowski;
and Henry, who married Helena Hauk. Mr. and Mrs. D'ckert are
the parents of nine children: Frank George, resides at home;
Salome Mary, resides in the city of Madison ; Louie M. L., resides
at home; Henry Adolph, married Nettie Vetter and resides in
Madison; Mary T., resides with her s'ster Salome; Anton William,
married Frances Morhauser and resides in Madison ; Joseph John,
Addie Catherine, and Francis T., reside at home. Mr. Dickert and
family are members of the Roman Catholic church.

George L. Dickinson, a prominent farmer of Alb'on. is the son
of William Dickinson, one of the first settlers of the town, and re-
sides upon the farm, which was the original home of the family in
Dane county. William Dickinson was a native of Yorkshire, Eng-
land, born in 1820, and was a merchant in Yorkshire. He was
twice married, his first wife being Miss Mary Bogthroyd, also of
Yorkshire. Five children were born to the marr'age; Elizabeth,
the wife of S. Humphrey of Edgerton ; Ann. the wife of J. D.
Spike of Edgerton ; Isaac (deceased) ; Sarah, the wife of George
Vickers of Edgerton ; Martha, Mrs. Tames Stewart of Edgerton.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 233

Four children blessed the second marriage ; Weetman, who mar-
ried Miss Lucy Esgar and lives in Edgerton ; George L., who lives
on the old farm; Louisa (deceased) ; Laura, who married Dr. J. L.
Holton of Edgerton and with whom Mrs. Dickinson resides. Wil-
liam Dickinson came to Albion in 1841 and obtained a farm of one
hundred and sixty acres in section 14. Indians and wild game
were plentiful but neighbors were few in number. Farm produce
was hauled by teams to Milwaukee and many other difficulties had
to be overcome. School advantages for the children were meagre.
George L. was born in Albion, February 27, 1865, attended the dis-
trict school of Albion and always worked upon the farm. Mr.
Dickinson died in 1875 and George, his son. purchased the old
homestead and has since resided there. He has made many im-
provements, erected new buildings, etc. He carries on an exten-
sive general farm'ng business but is especially interested in stock-
raising. Shropshire sheep are bred by him and he has a fine herd
of cattle. Mr. Dickinson makes a study of modern farming meth-
ods and is very successful. May 18. 1898, he married Miss Eliza
Otto of Hebron, daughter of Julius Otto of Jefferson county. One
daughter, Arma Louisa, blessed the marriage. Mr. Dickinson is
a member of the Republican party but is not ambitious to hold of-
fice. He is school treasurer of the district in which he lives. The
family are all devoted adherents of the Primitive Methodist church,
which was the denomination of their father in England.

Charles J. Dodge is proprietor of the Eclipse Creamery of Wind-
sor and owner of a one half interest in creameries at Keyser,
Token, Lodi and Stewart, of all of which he is manager. He came
to Windsor in 1890 and has ever since been prominent in the busi-
ness circles of the community. The family are of Connecticut
descent ; Chester Dodge, grandfather of Charles J., was born in
Connecticut and married Miss Martha Cone, also of Connecticut.
They lived in Jefferson county, N. Y., and later near Pulaski, Os-
wego county. Their son, Marcus W. Dodge, was born in Jeffer-
son county. N. Y.. August 21, 1821, was educated in the home
schools and married Miss Julia Ann Hendrickson. who was born
near Richland in the same county, January 15, 1823. In 1854, they
came to Lake county. 111., and bought a farm near the village of
Barrington. Mr. Dodge died in 1894 and his widow still lives in
Barrington, eighty-three years of age. Eight children were born
to them and s'x sons are now living. Mr. Dodge was a Republican
and actively interested in local politics in Barrington, where he
held several offices of trust. The family was identified with the

234 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Baptist church. Charles J. Dodge, son of Marcus W., was born
at Cuba, Lake county. 111., Oct. 12, 1856, attended school in the
village of Barrington, Cuba township, and graduated from the Cook
county normal school. He began to teach when he was but fifteen
years of age and continued in this profession for thirteen years,
seven years in the common schools and six years as principal of
the high school at Barrington. He then came to Windsor and
engaged in the creamery business in which he has been very suc-
cessful. Mr. Dodge is still interested in school and educational
affa'rs and has served on the Windsor school board for nearly six-
teen years and is also a member of the board of the Windsor town-
ship free high school, on which he has served for seven years. Mr.
Dodge is a member of the Republican party. August 21, 1878, he
married Miss Elizabeth Wilson, who was born in Aberdeenshire,
. Scotland, Aug. 12, 1855, daughter of George and Mary (Craig-
mile) Wilson, who came to Cook county. 111., in 1858 and settled
upon a farm. To Mr. and Mrs. Dodge were born five children ;
Florence Adele, Charles Wilson, Mary Louise, Anna Edith,
Chester Lyman. The family attend the Congregational church.
Mr. Dodge is a member of the local branch of the Modern Wood-
men.

George Dodge, farmer, stock-breeder and highly respected citi-
zen of Roxbury township, was born in the township of Lyme, Jef-
ferson county, N. Y., on March 14, 1828. His parents were Wil-
liam King and Mary Ann (Hubbard) Dodge, the .former of whom
was born in Block Island (an island in the Atlantic ocean, about
twenty miles from the ma'nland of the state of Rhode Island, of
which Block Island is a part), the date of his birth being Novem-
ber 7, 1797, wh'le the mother was born in the state of New York,
March 9, 1800. They were married in Jefferson county, N. Y.,
and lived there for a number of years afterward, the father's occu-
pation being that of a farmer. In 1844 they migrated to Wiscon-
sin, locating first in Jefferson county, the place of settlement being
on Rock river, but in 1847 they changed their abode to Waukesha
county, and two years later came to Dane county and established
a home on one hundred and sixty acres of forest land that they
preempted from the government by soldiers' land warrant. Here
they lived the remainder of their lives, both surviving to a good old
age and enjoying in their declining years the fruits of their pioneer
struggles. The mother died August 8, 1881, and the father on
June 29, 1887. A large family of ch'ldren was born to them,
seven of whom reached manhood and womanhood, and four are

BIOGRAPHICAL. 235

yet living. The parents were both devout members of the Metho-
dist church, and died in the faith that had been a comfort to them
•during life. George Dodge, son of these honored pioneers, and
the immediate subject of this review, attended the schools of Jef-
ferson county, N. Y., until he had reached the age of sixteen years,
and then he accompanied his parents to their far-away home in
the Badger state. After coming to Wisconsin he added to his
store of knowledge by attending for a time the primitive schools of
Waakesha county, but the demands of existence in that early day
precluded the thoughts of any extended scholastic training, and
his attention was early given to farming. He came to Dane
county with his parents in 1849, and Roxbury township has been
his home and farming his vocation during all of the intervening
years. Industry and frugality, guided by a high order of intelli-
gence, have accomplished the result that is always the portion of
those virtues, and Mr. Dodge is recognized as one of the sub-
stantial citizens of the county. He owns a fine farm of two hun-
dred acres, and aside from general farming devotes considerable
attention to the breed'ng of Poland-China hogs, short-horned cat-
tle and Shropshire sheep. In politics he is a Republican, but the
desire for official position has never been his 'and so-called public
honors have never lured him from the "even tenor of his way."
The religious faith of his parents is the one to which he adheres,
and he and his wife are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal
church. He was married on May 1, 1853, to Miss Ellen Alecia
Brereton, who was born in Kings county, Ireland, November 30,
1833. She is the daughter of George and Ellen (Huelette) Brere-
ton, both of whom were of Irish birth. Mrs. Dodge's parents mi-
grated to Canada, in 1849, and there the mother d'ed on December
28 of the following year. In 1852 the family came to Dane county.
Wis., settling in Roxbury township, where the father died on Feb-
ruary 12, 1853. There were born to these parents nine children,
three of whom died in Ireland before the emigration of the family,
and the other six came to America with their parents and are still
living. To George Dodge and wife there have been born nine chil-
dren, as follows: Edwin (deceased), Marv Ellen, William Edwin,
Martha Elizabeth, (deceased). George Brereton, Willoughby
King, Mary Ellen, Adaline Harriet, and John Abner.

Edward Donkle, deceased, was for many years a leading farmer
in the town of Verona., and later a highly respected citizen of the
city of Madison. He was born in Mercer county. Pa., March 17,
1833, and was one of the eight children of Peter and Lydia Donkle,

236 , HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

natives of the same county and state. Six of the children men-
tioned are living, Caroline, Mary and Henry residing in the town
of Verona; Emaline, who is now Mrs. Reuben Myers, resides in
the same town; Catherine, who is now Mrs. Matts, lives in Kansas;,
and Betsey, who is now Mrs. Nye, has her residence in Verona.
The subject of this review attended the public schools in Penn-
sylvania, and also one or two terms after the removal of the family
to Wisconsin, he being but twelve years of age when lis parents
became residents of Dane county, in 1845. Beginning his inde-
pendent career he formed a partnership with one of his brothers,
and together they purchased several yokes of oxen and began
breaking new ground and making it ready for cultivat on. They
continued this occupation for several seasons, and also bought a
a threshing machine outfit, which avocation they followed eleven
consecut've autumns in partnership with two brothers-in-law,.
Messrs. Nye and Myers. In 1858 our subject bought eighty acres
of land adjoining one hundred and fifty acres, which comprised his
father's homestead, and he resided thereon about six years. In
the meantime he purchased the family homestead, or rather the
interests of the mother and the other heirs in the same, as the father
had previously died. Mr. Donkle and family resided on the old
homestead until 1894, then purchased a house and lot at 532 West
Wilson street, Madison, and later sold his farm. He also purchased
two full lots in Wingra Park, where he erected two beautiful resi-
dences, one of which Mrs. Donkle occupies, the other being the
residence of her daughter and son-in-law, while the property on
Wilson street is leased to tenants. When the tocsin of war was
sounded and a call for men was made .to preserve the integrity of
the nation our subject was one of those who offered his services
to the government. On September 2, 1864, .he enlisted as a private
in Company K of the Forty-second Regiment Wisconsin Infantry
and served with that command until June 20, 1865, when the war
being ended, he was mustered out with his regiment. He was en-
gaged in guard duty during his entire term of service and was
stationed for the most part at Springfield, 111. Mr. Donkle was
married on January 1, 1857, to Miss Martha J. White, born at
Hartford, Washington county, N. Y., November 1, 1839. She is
the daughter and one of nine children born to Stephen and Mary P.
(Smith) White, the former being a native of New Hampshire and
the latter of Massachusetts. Of these nine children three only are
l'ving: Martha j. is the widow of the subject of this review;
Sarah is the widow of Mr. Richard Blackburn and lives in the

BIOGRAPHICAL. 237

town of Verona; and Marietta is the widow of William Donkle
and resides in Verona. Stephen White, the father, came to Dane
county in 1848 and purchased forty acres of land in the town of
Springdale, where he resided many years, but later he sold this
farm and resided with his daughters until his death about -1875.
The mother was born in 1800 and died in the town of Verona in
1890. To Edward Donkle and wife there were born seven chil-
dren. Orlin S. married Miss Melissa Myers and resides in
town of Verona ; Sarah A. married Myron Brown and resides in
the city of Madison ; Mary F. married William Burmeister and re-
sides at Wingra Park; Horace B. is deceased; Judson married
Margaret Henderson and resides in the town of Verona, where he
is a successful merchant; Alfred D. F., deceased, had just com-
pleted a medical course in Chicago prior to his death, had received
his diploma and was nearly through with his hospital training;
Lucius B. is a practicing physician and surgeon in Chicago; he
makes a specialty of surgery. The subject of this review was a
Republican in his political affiliations, and his religious faith was
expressed by membersh'p in the Baptist church of which he was a
deacon several years, as were also his two brothers, Henry filling
that office at the present time. He had strong opinions on the
temperance question and was at one time a member of the order
of Good Templars. Two of his sons are enthusiastic members of
the Masonic order.

J. B. Donkle, postmaster and general merchant of Verona, was
born in Verona township, October 19, 1871 ; he is the son of Ed-
ward and Martha (White) Donkle. the former being a native of
Mercer county, Pa., and the latter of Xew York. Flis grand-
father, Peter Donkle, of old Pennsylvania stock and originally of
German descent, came to Wisconsin at an early date, bringing his
family and settling in Dane county, where he remained until lis
death. His son, Edward, was born March 17, 1833, and reared
on the farm, adopted farming as his own vocation, and continued
in it until about 1891, when he retired from active work and made
his home in Madison, where Mrs. Donkle resides at the present
time. They had a family of seven children, O. S. Donkle, of
Verona ; Sarah, married M. F. Brown of Madison ; Fyetta, married
William Burmeister of Madison ; Horace, deceased ; J. B., the sub-
ject of this sketch; Alfred, deceased; Lucius, a physician of Ch-
cago. Mr. Edward Donkle was a staunch Republican in his poli-
tics, and in sympathy with the prohibition movement. He died
May 2, 1902. His wife was born November 17. 1839, and is still

238 , HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

living. Mr. J. B. Donkle was reared in Verona township, edu-
cated in the public schools and in Way land academy, Beaver Dam.
When he finished his school education, he occupied himself with
farming for four years ; at the end of that time he entered into the
general mercantile business in which he is at present engaged ; he
has also other interests outside of his store, as he has been post-
master of Verona since March 5, 1898, is a director of the bank of
Verona, and has interests in the Mt. Vernon telephone company.
He was married December 28, 1898, to Miss Margaret M. Hender-
son, who was born in Salina. Kansas. Her father, James P. Hen-
derson, is a native of Scotland, and now a resident of Verona. Mr.
Donkle belongs to the Republican party, and also to F. & A. M.r
No. 5, of Madison, and to the Modern Woodmen of America. One
child born to the union July 16,. 1905, died February 17, 1906.

Dr. Lyman C. Draper, distinguished antiquarian and collector of
historical materials, for thirty-three years secretary of the Wis-
consin State Historical society and one of the leading spirits in its
work, was born at Hamburg, Erie county, N. Y., September 1,
1815, the son of Luke and Harriet (Hoisington) Draper. The
pioneer of the family was James Draper, who settled at Roxbury,
Mass., about 1650. His paternal grandfather Jonathan Draper,
was a solder in the Revolutionary War, and his maternal grand-
father. Job Hoisington, fell in the defense of Buffalo, during the-
War of 1812 ; and, during the latter struggle, his father was twice
taken prisoner on the Niagara frontier. His early education was
obtained in the best schools of the day at Lockport, N. Y., where
his father had moved with his family in 1821. Libraries in west-
ern New York were then unknown, but young Draper was able to
procure and read some works dealing with border adventure and
Indian warfare, books, which gave direction to his subsequent
tastes and studies. His first school composition was on General
La Fayette, whom he saw during his visit to the United States in
1825 ; and his first contribution to the press was on Charles Car-
roll of Carrollton, in 1833, whose death had recently occurred.
This was published in the Rochester Gem, a literary paper. He
journeyed to Mobile, Ala., in 1833, at the invitation of Peter Rem-
sen, a cotton factor then, who had married his cousin, returning
north in the summer of 1834 by way of New Orleans, and the
Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Granville. O., where he remained
two years. He then visited his parents at Toledo, where they had
moved. Th's was a vacation trip in the late summer of 1835, and
while in Toledo, he participated in the "battle of Mud Creek," in

BIOGRAPHICAL. 239

the env'rons of Toledo, one of the episodes of the Ohio and Michi-
gan boundary difficulties of that day. In 1836-37 Mr. Draper
spent a year at Hudson River Seminary, Columb'a county, N. Y.,
and then resided in the family of his patron and friend, Mr. Rem-
sen, near Alexander, Genesee county. X. Y.. where he pursued his
studies and an extensive course of reading. While in Mobile he
had begun the collection of unpublished facts and traditions con-
nected with border history and biography, and the habit thus es-
tablished became his life work. In the collection of his materials
he journeyed tens of thousands of miles, by public conveyances,
on horseback, and on foot, with knapsack and note books, obtain-
ing many original diaries and manuscripts, and forming a unique
and unrivalled collection of historical data, filling two hundred and
fifty manuscript volumes, covering the Anglo-American settle-
ments, the border warfare in the west from the first settlements
in Virginia, down to the death of Tecumseh, in 1813, and
the defeat of Weatherford and the Creek Indians in 1814. In 1840
Mr. Draper went to Pontotoc, Miss., where he edited a weekly
newspaper for a time, and later engaged in rough farming fifteen
miles from a postoffice. serving also as justice of the peace. In
1842. he went to Buffalo as clerk in the canal superintendent's
office, and then returned to Pontotoc once more. After this, in
1844, he again resided with Mr. Remsen, then living near Bait-
more, and subsequently, near Philadelphia, continuing his collec-
tion of unique historical materials, and mak'ng frequent journeys
through the western and southwestern states. Mr. Remsen died
in 1852. and Dr. Draper came with his friend's family to Madison,
Wis., in the fall of that year; he subsequently married Mrs. Rem-
sen, and made Madison his home from this t'me on. In 1853, on
the re-organization of the Wisconsin State Historical society, Mr.
Lyman was chosen its first secretary and executive officer. He
served in this capacity from January, 1854, to January. 1887, when
he was succeeded by the present incumbent, Reuben Gold
Thwaites. During the years 1858 and 1859 he served the state as
superintendent of public instruction, and performed a splendid
work in organizing and systematizing the work of his department,
and rendering the public schools of the state efficient and useful.
He inaugurated the system of conducting teachers' institutes, and
procured the passage of a law for establishing town school-li-
braries throughout the state. As a result of this law a librarv fund
of $88,784 was raised in I860, but the Civil War coming on, this
splendid law was unfortunately repealed by the legislature. Hor-

240 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

ace Mann, the apostle of free schools, thus characterized Mr.
Draper's report of 1858 : "It presents the most persuasive and
effect'. ve argument in favor of education that has ever been offered
to the world." While holding this office he was ex-ofdcio a mem-
ber of the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin,
and was ever profoundly interested in the work and development
of that noble institution. In 1850, Granville College, Ohio, con-
ferred on him the degree of A. M., and, in 1871, the University of
Wisconsin that of LL. D., in recognition of his services as a col-
lector of the h'storical literature of the country, and in building
up the great historical library of Wisconsin for the benefit of
scholars and investigators. While Mr. Draper was perhaps the
most remarkable literary antiquary in the United States, and by
his indefatigable industry was able to gather together a rich mine
of books, manuscripts, letters, diaries, newspaper files, etc., cov-
ering the border settlements and warfare in the Ohio, Cumberland,
Tennessee and Mississippi valleys, together with much of the bor-
der Revolutionary history of New York, Pennsylvania, West
Virginia, the Carolinas and Georgia, he published very little ; he
seemed to take a much livelier interest in collecting than in editing.
His love of accuracy and completeness was a passion with him, and
he deferred, until too late, the publication of works which he, of all
men, was best qualified to write. Said the historian Bancroft: "I
look forward with eager and impatient curiosity for the appear-
ance of your lives of Boone, of Clark, and of James Robertson,
and so many others. Time is short, I wish to read them before I
go hence. Pray do not delay, the country expects of you this ser-
vice." This is but one of many hundred expressions by eminent
h'storians, scholars and publicists, urging him to productive effort.
He edited the society's publications, chiefly consisting of the bi-
ennial Wisconsin historical collections, portrait gallery catalogue
(tr'ennial), and the annual reports; several pamphlets, two school
reports, "The Helping Hand," and also published "King's Moun-
tain and its Heroes," "Madison, the Capital of Wisconsin," and
left behind him a large number of unpublished manuscripts. Of
his rich collections of historical materials, he gave freely and- un-
selfishly during his life for the use of others, and he has left the
whole to the State Historical society, a munificent bequest, and
an enduring monument to his genius as a collector. Both in pub-
lic and in private life, he was affable, and unostentatious, devoting
his best efforts to the study of American history and the interests

BIOGRAPHICAL. 241

of the society. He retired from the society, January, 1887, and
died August 27, 1891.

Simon Dreher, of Oregon, is of Pennsylvania stock. He was
born in Evansville, Rock county, April 15. 1853. His parents were
Simon and Alary Ann (Widows) Dreher. both born in North-
hampton county, Pa. Simon, Jr., has spent all his life in Dane,
and all except eight years in the town of Oregon ; the exception
was a time that he lived in the town of Primrose. He was edu-
cated in the district schools of the township, and lived at home
until he was twenty-four, when he began life on his own account,
hulling clover, and doing other kinds of work, as opportunity offered
or necessity demanded, for twelve years. Sixteen years ago he
bought a farm of eighty acres situated one and three-fourths miles
from the village of Oregon, which has since been his home. He
has greatly improved the place since becoming the owner, putting
up all the buildings, and runs it as a farm for general purposes.
He is a Republican in politics and is a member of the Modern
Woodmen, belonging to the lodge at Oregon. He was married on
April 18, 1880, to Miss Alma Blanche Chandler, daughter of Rich-
ard B. and Mary (Cross) Chandler, the former of whom was born
in Oxford county, Maine, and the latter in the state of Vermont.
They have three children, Mary and Warren, born in Primrose, and
Richard, born in Oregon. In the fifty-three years s'nce his birth,
Air. Dreher has seen many changes take place in his nat've state,
and has especially observed those in the vicinity of his home, where
wild land has been transformed into flourishing farms, and towns
and v'llages built up with all the modern conveniences of life and
transportation.

Edward H. Drews, D. D. S., one of the rising young practition-
ers of dentistry in the city of Madison, was born February 7, 1876,
in the city where he now makes his home. He is a son of William
and Dora (R'eder) Drews, the former a native of Mecklenburg
and the latter of Hanover, Germany, who came to the United
States some time before the War of Secession. The father, who
is still living and conducts a hardware store at 939 Williamson
street, was a soldier in the army of the German emperor. His wife
died May 9, 1901. The subject of this sketch is the younger of the
two sons, the only children, of the family. The brother, Fred C,
is employed by the father. Dr. Drews received his preparatory ed-
ucation in the schools of Atadison. His technical training was
acquired at the dental department of Northwestern University at
Evanston, 111., he being graduated with the class of 1897. The first
16— iii

242 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

year and a half following his graduation he practiced his profes-
sion in Chicago and since that time has conducted an office in
Madison. He 's a skillful workman in his line, and a courteous
and thorough gentleman. On May 1, 1902, Dr. Drews was united
in marriage to Edith A., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Bennett,
the wedding occurring in Madison. Mr. Bennett is assistant su-
perintendent of public property of the state of Wisconsin. H!s
home is at 30 East Johnson street, Madison. The home of Dr.
Drews is at 10 North Butler street. In religious affairs the doctor
is inclined to the German Lutheran faith, in wh'ch belief he re-
ceived his early training.

William Drews, who conducts an up-to-date hardware store at
939 Williamson street, was born in Germany on Christmas day,
1842. H's father and mother, Henry and Elizabeth* (Becker)
Drews, also natives of Germany, came to the United States in 1871
and settled in the town of Middleton. The father was a farmer,
and followed that vocation until his death in 1883 at the age of
sixty-two. His widow is still living, making her home with a son
in Middleton and is in her eighty-sixth year. Of a family of five
daughters and five sons all but one survive. The subject of this
sketch has lived in Madison since 1868. Before his immigration
to Wisconsin he was a brickmaker by vocation, but after his ar-
rival he engaged in the hardware business which has furnished him
a lucrative means of livelihood ever since. His place of business-
is one of the best equipped and most conveniently located in the
city. In 1871 Mr. Drews married Miss Dora Rieder, born in Ger-
many, and by this union is the father of two sons. Fred C. assists
h's father in the conduct of the hardware business. A sketch of
Dr. E. H. Drews, the younger, appears elsewhere in this volume.
Mrs. Drews died May 9, 1901, at her home in this city. She was a
kindly, genial, wholesome woman whose loss was deeply felt by
all who knew her. Like her husband she was a communicant of
the German Lutheran church and a devout worker in the society.
Mr. Drews is well fixed in a financial way and owns several p'eces
of valuable city property. Since coming to Madison he has seen
many changes in the town, but all the while has kept abreast of
the advance. He is an enterprising, thrifty and substantial cit'zen.

August Duckert, a prosperous farmer of the town of Cottage
Grove, was born in the province of Brandenburg, Germany, No-
vember 13. 1848. His parents were William and Gusta (Grep)
Duckert, natives of the same place. The father still makes his.
home in the old country with a daughter. Another daughter is a

BIOGRAPHICAL. 243

resident of Jefferson county, Wis. From the time he was six
years old until he was fourteen he attended the public schools of
Germany. In 1870 he entered the army of the emperor and served
throughout the Franco-Prussian War. He was a participant in
the battle of Metz and many other engagements. His service irt
the army continued until 1883, when he received an honorable"
d'scharge and immediately started for America. His first home
was in Oakland, Jefferson county, where he found employment as
a farm hand, the wife also being employed on the same farm.
They continued to reside in this vicinity for twelve years and then
purchased a house and lot in London, Jefferson county, Mr. Duck-
ert going to work for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad com-
pany. After a three years' residence there he sold his home and
moved to the town of Cottage Grove, where he owns and man-
ages a farm of two hundred and forty acres. This place :s said to
be one of the finest places in the county, although when Mr. Duck-
ert bought it it was wholly unimproved. In politics Mr. Duckert
is a Democrat, but has never sought official preferment. In re-
ligious matters he is allied with the German Lutheran church. On
November 28, 1874, he married Gusta, daughter of Charles and
Gusta (Wendland) Rothneck. Mrs. Duckert is a native of Ger-
many, where she was born May 4, 1854. By her marr'age to Mr..
Duckert she is the mother of ten children. Theodore H., born
March 11, 1875, married Anna Puncel, who died shortly afterward,
leaving two small children, who now make their home with their
grandparents. Their father is an employe of the Chicago & North-
western Ry. Co. William Fred, the second son, born January 29,.
1877, is in the employe of the same company as a carpenter. He
marred a Miss Cunningham of Cottage Grove, where he makes his
home. Charles Fred, born July 20, 1881, makes his home in Los
Angeles, Cal. Gustaf A., born November 6, 1879, is a blacksmith
at Cottage Grove ; he married a Miss Nettie Holland of the same
village. Richard H., born September 18, 1883, is a student at the
University of Wisconsin at Madison. Henry Fred, born August
26, 1886 ; Eddie Fred, born August 6, 1888 ; Artie, born May 6,
1890 ; Dorothy Mary, born July 16, 1893 ; and Gertrude, born Aug-
ust 9, 1895, all reside at home. The mother was herself one of
nine children, eight of whom are living. Mr. Duckert is essentially
a self-made man. All that he possesses he owes to his own efforts,
and those of his wife, who has Indeed been a helpmate.

Edward G. Dunlap, of Madison, is a native of Oneida, N. Y., born
October 3, 1846. His parents, Sylvester Dunlap, born January 26,.

244 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

1821, and Elinma (Cottrell) Dunlap, born February 16, 1824, were
natives of the same place. They were married in New York and
came to the town of Burke, Dane county, in 1844, and bought
government land ; they returned to New York, but in 1846 came
back to Burke and located there, where they lived until their death,
his occurring in December 8, 1902, and hers July 4, 1904. They
had four children, of whom three are living. They kept a store in
Burke for about four years. Mr. Dunlap was one of the large
farmers of the county, owning about four hundred acres of land.
He was allied with the Democratic party and filled the office of
assessor for eleven successive years. H s son, Edward, was reared
in Burke and educated in the public schools of the township ; he is
a farmer by vocation and owns two hundred and forty-five acres
of land in the town of Burke, about three and one-half miles from
the city of Madison. He is a general farmer and stock raiser, and
a breeder of Galoway cattle. He was married May 9, 1880, to Miss
Ervilla Ranney, born in Burk, April 3. 1858, daughter of Nathaniel
and Harriet (Davis) Ranney, both natives of Vermont, the former
iborn in 1834 and his wife in 1838. They came to Dane county
rabout 1850, and there he died in 1880; his widow lives in Minne-
sota. Mr. and Mrs. Dunlap have one son, Edward Gardner, born
August 14, 1884; he was educated in Burke, follows the occupation
of a farmer, and lives with his parents. He married December 21,
1904, Miss Nelly Loomis, daughter of William Loomis of Wind-
sor, Dane county. Wis. Mr. Dunlap's maternal grandparents were
Gardner and Irene (Gardner) Cottrell, natives of New York, who
came to Burke in 1842. In 1848 Mr. Cottrell, following the tide of
imm'gration which made the years of '48 and '49 an epoch in the
history of that state, went to California, but returned to Burke in
1850, and two years later went to Minnesota, in which state both
he and his wife died.

Walter R. Dunphy, of the firm of Dunphy & Stone, publishers
of the Sun Prairie Countryman, one of the representative news-
papers of Dane county, is one of the most progressive and loyal
young business men of the village of Sun Pra rie, while he is a
scion of one of the pioneer families of the county. He was born
in Bristol township, Dane county, Wisconsin, on July 10, 1875,
and is a son of Martin and Alice (Croak) Dunphy, both of whom
were born in Ireland, where they were reared and educated, while
their marriage was solemnized in Sun Prairie, where they still
maintain their home. The father is the owner of a valuable farm
in the immediate vicinity, in Sun Prairie adjoin'ng village, and is

BIOGRAPHICAL. 245

one of the honored citizens of that community, having served sev-
eral terms as one of the board of village trustees. He is a stanch
adherent of the Democratic party, and both he and his wife are
communicants of the Church of the Sacred Heart, Roman Catholic.
They have two sons and two daughters. Martin Dunphy came to
America in 1852. and located in Dane county in 1856, having been
identified with the development and upbuilding of the county and
having always commanded the esteem and confidence of the com-
munity in wh'ch he has so long made his home. His wife is a
daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Shea) Croak, who immigrated
to the United States from the Emerald Isle, in 1855, settling in
what is now the city of Janesville. Rock county, Wisconsin, where
they passed the remainder of their lives. Walter R. Dunphy was
afforded the advantage of the public and parochial schools of Sun
Prairie, and at the age of fifteen years entered upon an apprentice-
ship at the printers' trade, becoming a competent workman. In
1896 he purchased a half interest in the Sun Prairie Countryman,
with which paper he had previously been connected for some time,
and he has since been editor and manager of the same. The paper
is published on Thursday of each week, is a six-column quarto and
is well edited and well printed, while the plant of the concern is
well equipped, the job department having a good patronage, wh'le
the paper circulates in the best homes of this part of the county.
In politics Mr. Dunphy is a stanch supporter of the Democratic
party, and he has served as secretary of the board of education and
as a member of the village board, res'gning the latter position in
August, 1905 ; while he was president of the board of trustees of
the Sun Prairie public library from the time of its organization
until August. 1905, when he resigned the office. He is a communi-
cant of the Church of the Sacred Heart, and is affiliated with the
Catholic Order of Foresters and the Knights of Columbus.

William Durkopp, a well known farmer of Middleton, occupies
and owns the farm commonly called the Whittlesey place, on which
he has lived since 1898 and carries on a general farming and stock-
raising business. He is a Democrat in his political sympathies
and takes considerable interest in politics, being one of the village
trustees. His father John Durkopp. was a farmer of Mecklenburg-
Schwerin, Germany, and there married Miss Frederika Watlee of
the same place. They came to America in 1855 and landed in New
York city after a perilous voyage of eight weeks. Mrs. Durkopp's
parents accompanied them and together they commenced to clear
forty acres of wild land in section 15. A log cabin was built which

•24G • HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

the family occupied for a time. This farm was sold and another
near Springfield purchased, wh'ch was partly improved. Mr.
Durkopp was a Democrat but never an office-seeker. He and his
wife were loyal members of the German Lutheran church. Seven
children were born to them: Dora, the wife of Henry Rickman of
Hungerford, Mich. ; Charles, a farmer of Middleton ; Mary, who
married John Lubcke of Middleton ; William, the subject of this
sketch; Frank, a furniture dealer and photographer In Middleton;
Caroline, the w'fe of Louis Russ of Middleton; Augusta, the
youngest daughter, married Charles Wessenberg of Middleton.
William was born in Middleton, February 13, 1859, was educated
in the district school and worked on the parental farm until he was
twenty-seven years of age. May 18, 1888, he married Miss Carrie
Wessenberg, daughter of William and Frederika Wessenberg,
natives of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. They have two children, Elsie
and John.

Henry L. Duxstad is the owner and manager of a fine farm of
one hundred acres in section 1, town of Christiania, where he has
resided since 1881. The property was purchased by Mr. Duxstad
soon after his marriage and since the death of his wife he has lived
there with his children. Considerable tobacco is raised upon his
farm, also grain, hay, etc., but dairying is Mr. Duxstad's main in-
terest and to his stock he devotes much of his time and care.
Lars O. Duxstad, father of Henry, was a native of Voss, Norway,
and came to the United States when he was a young man. For a
time he worked out upon farms in Illinois and later bought for
himself a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Dane county,
Wis., near Albion. He was one of the earliest settlers of the
neighborhood and his new purchase was wild and unimproved. A
dug-out sheltered him for the first few months and the game he
could shoot added to his support. By patient labor the land was
cleared and a more comfortable dwelling erected, where Mr. Dux-
stad spent the rest of his life. He died in 1865 and his wife in
1902. Mrs. Duxstad was also born in Voss, Norway, and was Miss
Isabelle Halloway. She spent three years in Chicago before her
marriage to Mr. Duxstad. Both were devoted members of the
Norwegian Lutheran church, whose organization in the township
they helped to establish. Six children were born to them. Ole,
the oldest son, resides in Nebraska on a farm ; Charlie is with his
older brother; Annie, married Andrew Ellison of Christiania;
Henry L., is the subject of this sketch; Betsey (deceased) ; Lewis,
is a ranchman of Sweetwater county, Wyoming. Henry L. was

BIOGRAPHICAL. 247

born in Albion, February 14, 1859, attended the home schools and
with the exception of a few months' work for the neighboring far-
mers, remained with his father until his marriage. In 1881, he
married Miss Margaret T. Nory, who was born in Jefferson county,
Wis., daughter of Ole Nory. The marriage was blessed with four
children. Lawrence is a telegraph operator of Alliance, Neb., on
the C, B. & Q. R. R. ; Isabella, George and Joseph are with their
father at the old home. Mr. Duxstad is an independent voter in
political matters and not allied with any political party.

Frank Hynard Edsal, M. D., is comparatively a new comer in
Madison, but has in the few years that he has practiced in the city,
established in his specialty as an oculist, a reputation for careful,
conscientious and skillful work, not only in the city but through-
out southern Wisconsin. He was born in Hamburg, New Jersey,
August 12, 1862. His early education was received in the schools
of Stamford, Connecticut and his medical training at the Univer-
sity of Pennsylvania. Before coming to Madison, Dr. Edsall prac-
ticed for seventeen years in the city of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania,
and held honorable positions among the medical fraternity of that
state ; he was president of the Pittsburg Academy of Medicine and
secretary of the Alleghany County Medical Society. He has inter-
ested himself in matters of public welfare since coming to Madison
in 1898, and especially in connection with the Carnagie Library
building. To his personal efforts more than to those of any other
person is clue the fact that the Madison free library is housed in
the beautiful and commodious building on the corner of Carroll
and Dayton streets erected by the gift of $75,000 from Mr. Andrew
Carnagie. He has been a member of the board of directors of the
Madison free library, and is intensely interested in its service and
development. Dr. Edsall is also interested in athletics and belongs
to the Country Club, having been one of the twenty charter mem-
bers ; he is now secretary of a society numbering two hundred, with
a waiting list. The club owns a beautiful club house and grounds
near Maple Bluff and a short distance east of Lake Mendota. The
doctor has been a member and a vestryman of Grace Episcopal
church and owns a commodious and pleasant home on the corner
of Langdon and Henry streets. He is also a man of good literary
ability, is a member of the Madison Literary Club and is the asso-
ciate editor of the Wisconsin Medical Journal. He married .Miss
Anna E. Warner, of Wilmington, Del., who has, since coming to
Madison, entered actively into the social life of the city ; she is at
present secretary of the Madison Woman's Club.

248 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Gunder Edwards, dealer in flour, feed and seeds. Deerfield, was
born in Telemarken, Norway, January 2, 1841; his 'parents, Avan
Edwards and Ingeborg Olesdaughter, both being natives of that
province. In 1859 he came to America, locating in the town of
Burke, Dane county, Wis. His cousin advanced him the money
to pay his way to this country and for a year he had to work to re-
pay his debt. He then worked for another farmer during the win-
ter, after which he was employed by J. V. Robbins until August 15,
1862, when he enlisted as a private in Company I. Twenty-third
Wisconsin Infantry. He was in the engagements at Chickasaw
Bayou, Arkansas Post, Cypress Bend. Port Gibson, Champion's
Hill, Black River Bridge, the siege of Vicksburg, and several minor
skirmishes. On November 3, 1863, he was taken prisoner at Car-
rion Crow Bayou, La., and was held until May 1, 1864, when he
was exchanged and rejoined his regiment. He was then at the
battle of Little Jackson, La., in the military operations about
Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, and was mustered out at Mobile,
Ala., July 5, 1865. After being discharged from the service he
returned to Wisconsin and in the fall of 1865 bought forty-five
acres of land from his cousin and began farming. Soon afterward
he bought forty acres in the town of Madison. In 1869 he sold
both these tracts and bought a farm in the town of Pleasant Springs,
where he made his home until 1898. In 1886 he bought two hun-
dred and twenty acres in the town of Christiana, but did not live
on it, and owns the same at present. During the last five years of
his residence at Pleasant Springs he conducted a feed and imple-
ment store in the town of Stoughton. In 1897 he came to the vil-
lage of Deerfield, where he started another store of the same kind
in partnership with his son Alfred, and in 1898 removed his family
to Deerfield. A year later he sold the business in Stoughton to
John Bjoin. In the fall of 1902 he sold the implement business
in Deerfield to Alfred Edwards & Co., but retained the feed, seed
and grain business. Mr. Edwards is a fine example of what can
be accomplished by industry and frugal management. Starting in
life without a dollar he has, without any assistance, accumulated
a competency for himself, and has given his family comfortable
surroundings. Politically he is a Republican. For nine years he
was school treasurer of the town of Pleasant Springs ; was one year
the town treasurer ; was several years a member of the board of
supervisors, and is now serving his fifth year as director of the
Deerfield high school. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran
church and was for six years counsel of the synod. On July 1,

BIOGRAPHICAL. 249

1862, he married Miss Sibbe L., daughter of Narie and Margaret
(Leverson) Torgeison, of the town of Burke, and to this marriage
have been born the following children. Eddie N., born May 23,

1863. married Anna Johnson and now lives at McFarland, Wis. ;
Mary O., born July 27, 1866, married Andrew Rine and lives on the
the farm in Pleasant Springs ; Emma A.. September 4, 1869, now
Mrs. Nels Orvold, lives in the town of Dunn; Theodore, January
21, 1872, married Mary Olson and lives at McFarland; Alfred,
April 28, 1874, married Carolina Jensen and lives in Deerfield ;.
Tilla A., born May 8, 1876, married Thomas Ossen and lives at
McFarland; Anna K., born November 16, 1878, now at Janesville,.
where she holds a position as stenographer and typewriter; Mal-
vina, born April 10, 1881, and died December 22, 1884; Gerhajt,
born July 27, 1884, and married Lizzie Quammen, and Malvina,
born December 3, 1886, are at home with their parents.

Christ O. Egeland, timekeeper for the Stoughton Wagon Com-
pany, was born in Norway, March 3, 1858, coming of stanch
Norseland stock and being a son of Ole and Martha (Johnson)
Yorgeson. He was reared and educated in the land of his nativ-
ity, completing the curriculum of the common schools and supple-
menting this by a course in a local school of navigation, where he-
secured a diploma of the best degree in 1877. He then secured a
position on a sailing vessel named "Ganymedes," on which he held
the office of second mate, later was promoted first mate. He
crossed the Atlantic twelve times while in the maratime service,
remaining all this while on the same vessel. In the spring of 1882;
he took up his permanent residence in America, making Wiscon-
sin his destination and settling in Stoughton, where he soon after-
ward entered the employ of the Stoughton Wagon Company, his.
first service being work in connection with the making of wagon
boxes. Later he was assigned to a position in the carriage depart-
ment and still later was employed in the pattern-making depart-
ment. With the exception of a period of about eighteen months,
he has remained consecutively in the employ of this company, and
has won promotion through faithful and effective service, having
held his present position since 1900. In politics he is an advocate
of the cause of prohibition and he takes a lively interest in public
affairs of a local order, and served one term as representative of
the third ward of Stoughton on the board of county supervisors.
He is a prominent and valued member of the Norwegian and Dan-
ish Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is a local preacher.
Mr. Eg-eland has been twice married. November 12, 1881, he

250 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

wedded Miss Olena Olsen, daughter of Paul Inborg Olsen, of
Norway, and of this union were born five children, namely : Olga,
Emma, Elna, Oscar and Clarence. Mrs. Egeland was called to the
life eternal on October 10, 1892, and on July 25, 189G, Mr. Ege-
land was united in marriage to Miss Martha Helbarg, daughter of
Michael Helbarg, a native of Norway, and they are the parents of
three sons. — Merrill, Wilbur and Earl Morris.

Rev. Thore Eggen, pastor of Bethel Lutheran church, Madison,
was born in Os, Norway, July 6, 1859, the son of Nels and Marit
(Nygaard) Eggen. The family came to America in 1870. locating
first in Rushford, Minnesota, where they remained two years. In
1872 they moved to Barron county, Wisconsin, where the father
took up a homestead and which is his home at the present time,
the nearest village being the little hamlet of Prairie Farm. The
mother died in 1874. Rev. Mr. Eggen is the second of a family of
seven children; the others are Paul in Minnesota; Jens (deceased) ;
Ingred, married to C. P. Hanson, of New Auburn, Chippewa county,
the supervisor of assessments ; Ole and Mollie. (twins) ; the former
is a mail carrrier in Omaha, Nebraska, and the latter a resident of
New Auburn ; Amelia, married Oscar Anderson, of Sand Creek,
Dane county ; Peter, the youngest, resides on the home farm with
his father. The subject of this sketch received his early education
in Norway, as he was eleven years of age at the time of the removal
of the family to America. After coming to this country he was sent
to the public schools of Minnesota and Wisconsin and in 1873 he
entered Luther College at Decorah, Iowa, from which he was grad-
uated in 1879 with the degree of A.B. ; he then took a three years'
course at the Lutheran seminary, of Madison, receiving his degree
from this institution in 1882. He served as assistant pastor of the
Norwegian Lutheran church of Decorah, for two years and was then
installed as the pastor of the same church, which position he filled
until 1892. At that time he responded to a call from the Lutheran
church of Grand Forks, North Dakota, where he remained until 1895.
He then accepted the pastorate of the Bethel church of Madison,
which has been his field of work up to the present time. The
church was organized in 1855 and has a membership of about four
hundred. The church edifice is on the corner of North Hamilton
and Butler streets, and its first pastor was Rev. H. A. Preus who
officiated for a long term of twenty-seven years. Rev. Mr. Eggen
was married on August 2(5, 1882, to Miss Regina Neprud, of Coon
Valley, Vernon county, Wisconsin. She is the daughter of Nels

BIOGRAPHICAL. 251

Neprud, deceased. Her parents were among the early settlers in
that part of the state.

Lars S. Egre is one of the prosperous farming community of
Christiania. He is the son of Stephen Sjuren Egre and Ingobar
(Quale) Egre, natives of New Bergen, Norway. Both parents
were educated in Norway and came to the United States early in
their married life. In 1850 they embarked for Quebec but imme-
diately proceeded further west and settled in Dane county, Wis.,
section 4, town of Christiania. Their farm consisted of one hun-
dred and twenty acres of wild land, which the family cleared and
improved. Seven children were born to Stephen Egre. Seren S.
lives in Pleasant Springs ; Lars S. is the second son ; Breta is Mrs.
Charles Roam of Christiania ; Martha is the wife of Martin Sco-
land and resi.des in Turner. S. D. ; Annie is Mrs. H. O. Tuxley of
Cambridge ; Betsy is the wife of Theo. Olie of Eau Claire county ;
Andrew makes his home in Christiania. Mr. Egre died in 1861 and
his wife in 1902. Lars S. was born in Christiania, Dane county,
Wis., February 18, 1852, attended the district school near his home
and lived at home with his father assisting in the management of
the farm until he was twenty-six years of age. At this time,
November 31, 1878, he married and soon after purchased a farm
of one hundred and twenty acres in section 10, town of Christiania.
All of the improvements have been made by Mr. Egre- and in 1899
a large brick farmhouse was erected. Mr. Egre carries on a pros-
perous general farming business and is well posted on modern farm-
ing. Mrs. Egre was Miss Bertha Roam, daughter of John and
Barbara (Lien) Roam of Normandahl, Norway. The Roam family
were pioneer settlers of Dane county. To Mr and Mrs. Egre were
born six children ; Nelia D., Ella, John E.,' Sandie A., Belinda L.. and
Lenota J., all of whom reside with their parents. The family are
members of the Norwegian Lutheran church south of Rockdale.
Mr. Egre is a loyal adherent of the Republican party.

George Eighmy, deseased, was born in Genesee county. N. Y., in
October. 1831. His parents. Jacob and Pamelia Eighmy, were na-
tives of the same state, where Jacob Eighmy was a farmer.
George was the second of six children, the others being Freeman,
who now lives in McFarland ; Eugene, who makes his home in Madi-
son ; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Moulton ; Kate and John. George received
what education the common schools of his native county afforded.
Upon the completion of his school work his first labor was done as
a "farmer. In 1864 he struck out for the west, and for three years
made Chicago his home. In 1867 he purchased sixty-five acres

252 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

of land on Liberty Prairie in Dane county, and moved onto the
property the same year. For fifteen years Mr. Eighmy farmed
this property, and in 1883 removed to Deerfield, where the following
eleven years he managed the leading hostelry of that village. At
the end of that time he brought his wife and family to Madison
and built the handsome residence at 1010 East Gorham street,
where the widow and the son now make their home. It was here
that Mr. Eighmy passed away in November 1898. On March 15,
1864, he married Martha, daughter of John and Nancy (Schofield)
Radcliff. Though Mrs. Eighmy was born in Northhampton, Mass.,
her parents were natives of England, who early in the century
located in Massachusetts and later moved to Genesee county, N. Y.,
where they died. Their children were Betsy, widow of Thomas
Brierly, living in New York state; Esther, widow of .Alva Holton
of New Hartford, N. Y. ; Mary. Mrs. Joseph Wrigley, deceased ;
Joseph, an architect of Chicago; Benjamin, a farmer living near
New Hartford, N. Y. ; Jane, widow of George Coles, living in Chi-
cago ; Sarah, Mrs. Park Overocker, residing in New Hartford N. Y. ;
and Mrs. Eighmy. To Mr. and Mrs. Eighmy was born one son,
George Sanford, who is now a prosperous real estate dealer in Mad-
ison. Though Mr. Eighmy never aspired to office, he was a life
long Democrat and his opinion was highly valued by his party
leaders.

Charlies A. Elies is the owner of the mill at Token Creek and
learned the miller's business with his father in Germany. Charles
August Elies, father of Charles A., was born in Germany in 1831
and was a miller. He married Miss Mary Oltersdorf, born in 1838
in Germany, and six children blessed the marriage, of whom three
daughters and one son are living. Mr. Elies died in Germany in
1878 and his wife in 1876. Charles A., their son, was born in
Germany, December 15, 1861, was educated in Germany and worked
in the mill with his father. In 1883. he came to the United States,
worked in a mill at Ripon and then went to Markesan, Green Lake
county where he resided for six years. In 1891 he was employed
by Gottlieb Maisch of Token Creek in his mill, where he remained
for three years. On account of ill health he left the mill and
worked as a carpenter for five years, after which he rented the mill
at Token Creek and finally purchased it. He is also the owner of
his home in Token Creek and fifty-five acres of farm land. Mrs.
Elies was before her marriage Miss Paulina Paskarbeit and was
born in Germany, January 15, 1863, daughter of Carl and Heft-
rietta (Kordasky) Paskarbeit, who came from Germany to Ripon

BIOGRAPHICAL. 253

township and thence to Token Creek. Six children were born to
them, of whom four are living. Air. and Airs. Elies were married
June 15, 1884, and have had nine children. Only five are living;
Herman, Martha, Ida, Emma and Arthur. The family attend the
Lutheran church of Sun Prairie. Mr. Elies is allied with the
Democratic party in his political sympathy.

Nelson W. Ellefson, proprietor of the Ellefson lumber yards at
1988 Railroad street. Madison, was born in the town of Pleasant
'Springs, Dane county, October 6, 1856. He is a son of Torbjorn
Skaato and Sigri (Felland) Ellefson, both born in Norway. The
father was one of the pioneers of Pleasant Springs, settling in
what afterwards became the Norwegian settlement of Koshkonong.
He came in 1845 and his wife a year later, and they were married
shortly after her arrival. The father was a farmer. He was a
devout member of the Lutheran church and helped hew the tim-
bers of the first church of that denomination, built in this section of
the state. His death occurred in Iowa in 1876, in his sixty-third
year. His widow is still living at the age of eighty-two, making
her home with a daughter, Airs. A. G. Felland, in the town of
Burke. There were seven children in the family. Eliza, the wife
of Dr. Sanderson, died at her home in Minnesota recently. She
was fifty-four years of age. Stena is the wife of Lars Anderson
and now lives in Minnesota. Air. Anderson is a veteran of the
historic Fifteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Martin is liv-
ing in South Dakota. Trina. Airs. A. G. Felland, lives in the town
of Burke. Ingoberg died in Alinnesota at the age of twenty.
Sophia, the youngest, now Airs. Knute Reindahl resides in Chi-
cago. N. W. Ellefson attended the schools of Des Moines, la.,
and Aladison, and upon the completion of his studies engaged in
the lumber business, becoming a representative of a firm in Winona,
Minn. Subsequently he removed to Alinneapblis to take up the
same line of work. In 1899 he returned to Aladison, purchased a
lumber yard and "set up" in business. Since that time he has been
most eminently successful in operating it. In November, 1883. Mr.
Ellefson was united in marriage to Aliss Sophia Sanderson, a na-
tive of this county, and a daughter of Evan and Serena Sanderson,
both deceased. This union has been blessed with five children.
Alabel and Elmer Thaulow, both graduates of the Aladison high
school, are members of the class of 1907 in the University of Wis-
consin. Clarence F. is also a graduate of the same preparatory
school and is attending the University of Wisconsin. Elsie Lu-
cretia has just completed her first year in the high school. The

£54 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

youngest is Edward Arnold. The family are all members of the
United Lutheran church. The father is a member of the Blue
Lodge of the Masonic order and of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows. He has been the incumbent of all the offices of the latter
organization. Among his friends Mr. Ellefson is known as a man
of sterling integrity, sound business sense and unimpeachable
character.

John Ellestad gained prominence and success as one of the pro-
gressive farmers of Blooming Grove township, where he accumu-
lated an extensive land estate and where he continued to reside until
his death, which occurred July 10, 1891. He was a son of John and
Grace Ellestad, who were natives of Norway, and he was born in
1853, in Norway, coming with his parents to America before he
was a year old. The family located in Dane county, near the pres-
ent homestead farm on which his widow and family reside, and he
was reared to manhood in this township, remaining with his parents
until he was about twenty-one years of age and assisting in re-
claiming and operating the home farm. He attended the district
school at intervals, when his aid was not required in the work of the
farm, and on the foundation thus established he rounded out a good
fund of knowledge, being a man of intelligence, well informed in re-
gard to the affairs of the day. After attaining his majority he was
employed on the farm of one of his brothers for several years, and
he continued to work as a farm employe until he was about thirty-
one years of age. when he purchased the two hundred and eight
acres which now constitutes the family homestead. He made the
best of improvements on the place, which is one of the valuable
farms of the county. He manifested much energy and ambition,
while he so ordered his life as to retain at all times the unquali-
fied esteem and confidence of his fellow men, while his interests
were centered in his home and family, where his noble character
showed forth in its brightest form. He was a loyal supporter of
the Democratic party, and was a member of the Norwegian Luth-
eran church, as are also his widow and children. In 1875 Mr.
Ellestad was united in marriage to Miss Anna Halverson, daughter
of Evan and Anna Halverson, of Blooming Grove township, and of
the seven children of this union all are living except the eldest,
John J., who was born Dec. 1, 1878, and who died Aug. 1, 1901.
The names and respective dates of birth of the other children are
as follows: Evan, Oct. 15, 1879; Anna Julia, Aug. 4, 1881; Sarah
Bertina, Jan. 20, 1884; Theodore, Dec. 8, 1885; Henry, Oct. 29,
1887; and Anna Alice, July 5, 1890.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 255

Nels J. Ellestad, one of the prominent farmers and honored and
influential citizens of Blooming Grove township, which he served
many years in the office of township supervisor, was born in Nor-
way, August 9, 1841, being a son of John and Gro (Peterson)
Ellestad. The father was born in the year 1805, and in his native
land learned the shoemaking trade, to which he there gave his
attention as a vocation until 18-18, when he immigrated with his
family to America, sailing from the city of Bergen on May 7, and
arriving in New York city on July 4. The family came at once to
Dane county, settling in Blooming Grove township, where the
father purchased a tract of wild land, in section 23. The greater
portion of the land was covered with heavy timber, and no portion
was under cultivation. He erected a log house and bravely set him-
self to the task of reclaiming the land and making a home for his
little family. He became one of the well-to-do farrmers of the
township and continued to reside on the homestead until his death,
which occurred in 1891, his widow surviving him, having attained
the venerable age of eighty-nine years. Of the ten children nine are
still living, three residing in Blooming Grove township and the
other six in the state of Iowa. Nels J. Ellestad was a lad of seven
years at the time of the family immigration to the United States,
and owing to the exigencies of time and space his educational ad-
vantages thereafter were limited in scope, being confined to an irreg-
ular attendance in the district schools of Blooming Grove town-
ship. His parents were in limited circumstances, and the condi-
tion of life in the new country called for strenuous exertion on the
part of all members of the family. The county was sparsely settled
and Milwaukee was the nearest market point, so all grain had to
be transported to that place, usually by means of ox teams. Deer
and other wild game were plentiful and did much to supply the
family larders of the hardy pioneers. The subject of this sketch
at once began to lend his aid in the clearing and cultivation of the
farm, and has been said of that period in his career. "Those early
days of industry were of incalculable benefit to him, as thereby
wre inculcated habits of usefulness and frugality that have never
been forgotten." He continued to reside on the home farm and
assist in its management until he had reached the legal majority,
when he left the parental roof and for the ensuing two years
turned his hand to whatever honest labor he could secure. He
then purchased a portion of his present homestead, which now
comprises two hundred and twelve acres, finely improved, and
constituting one of the most valuable landed estates of Dane county.

256 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

He purchased the property from his father, and the same is loca-
ted in section 23, 26, and 27. Thrift and prosperity are in evidence
on every side, and with substantial buildings and finely cultivated
fields, the place is one which cannot fail to attract attention as evi-
dently representing the property of a man of enterprise and pro-
gressive ideas. In his political allegiance Mr. Ellestad has ever
been a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and for two
years he held the office of township treasurer, while he was a mem-
ber of the township board of supervisors for many years. He and
his family hold membership in the Norwegian Lutheran church.
April 15, 1862, Mr. Ellestad was united in marriage to Miss Anna
Nelson, who was born in Norway, being a daughter of Tolaf Nel-
son and Mary (Peterson), who were later residents of Crawford
county, Wis. Concerning the children of this union the following
record is entered : Julia, born May 16, 1863, is the wife of Edde
Ofrerdahl, of Springdale township ; Mary, born February 5, 1865,
died October 26, 1900 ; Anna, born March 23, 1867, remains at the
parental home; John, born May 10, 1869, died February 19, 1901,
leaving a widow and one child, residents of Green county, Wis-
consin. The other children remain at the parental home, their
names and respective dates of birth being as follows : Tolaf, De-
cember 29, 1871; Nels, Jr., February 23, 187-4; Peter, September 1,
1876; Marin, November 27, 1878; William, January 12, 1881;
Albert, November 27, 1883 ; and Emma, February 20, 1886.

John O. Ellickson manages the farm of one hundred acres in
section 27, town of Christiania, of which eighty acres was pur-
chased by his father in 1880. He was born in Janesville, Septem-
ber 14, 1864, son of Lars and Anna Marie (Onstad) Ellickson, who
were both natives of Norway. Lars was born in Hardanger and
in 1857 came to Wisconsin, where he met his wife, who came from
Sogen in 1854. Mr. Ellickson was a tailor and worked at that
trade for thirty years. He then bought the farm in Dane county
and with the aid of his sons erected buildings and made many im-
provements on the property where together they carried on a suc-
cessful farming business. Mrs. Ellickson died in 1896 and her
husband lives with his son's family on the old homestead. Four
children were born to them ; Edward has a farm in section 21,
Christiania, married Betsey Teigset and has five children, Alfred,
Luella. Clarence, Bernie and Minerva; John O. is the subject of this
sketch ; Louisa is Mrs. Oscar Lier of Rio, Wis., and has one
daughter, Mytle ; Arthur C. is a farmer at Arlington, Wis., and
married Charlotte Johnson. The family belong to the First Nor-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 257

wegian Synod Lutheran church. John O. and his brother Edward
attended the Janesville public school and John O. has always lived
with his father. October 13, 190-A, he married Miss Alma Louisa
Lier of Christiania, daughter of Lars and Gunild Lier. Lars is the
son of Knudt Lier. a pioneer of Christiania. A daughter, Mel-
vina G. was born to Mr. and Mrs. John Ellickson December
25. 1905.

Lars O. Ellingsrud was born in Norway, March, 1857, and died
in Albion, Dane county, Wis., in February, 1888. He was a promi-
nent farmer of the township where he lived since 1876. Lars was
the son of Ole Ellingsrud, who spent his entire life in Norway.
"V\ "hen he was twenty-one years of age Lars decided to try his for-
tunes in the west and made the voyage to the United States in an
old sailing vessel, which was many weeks crossing the Atlantic.
For several years he lived in Minneapolis and in 1876 came to
Albion, where for two years he rented a farm and then puchased
one hundred and twenty acres in section 5. On it stood an old log
hut ; the stables and all of the equipment, including comfortable
farm buildings, were added by Mr. Ellingsrud, who was a success-
ful farmer. In 1876 Mr. Ellingsrud was married to Miss Andria
Stokstad, who was also a native of Norway. Mrs. Ellingsrud still
makes the old farm her home. Three children were born to the
marriage. The oldest daughter, Clara, is Mrs. John Halvorson of
Dunkirk; Rudolph O., who manages the farm, was married
November 22, 1905, to Miss Louie Davis, who was born in Albion,
daughter of Hiram and Maria Davis ; Inga the youngest daughter,
lives with her mother. Rudolph has always lived at home, attended
the home schools and at the age of sixteen years assumed the man-
agement of the farm for his parents. He raises tobacco, oats, corn,
hay, etc., and keeps a herd of about twenty-five cattle and also is
interested in poultry raising. He is active in matters which con-
cern the welfare of the community, is a member of the school board
and road commissioner. Rudolph is allied with the Republican
party. The family is identified with the United Lutheran church
of Stoughton.

John A. Elliott, a successful farmer of Black Earth, was born in
Kennebec county, Maine, August 22, 1827. His parents were
Jotham and Lydia (Meder) Elliott, both natives of Massachusetts.
Early in life Jotham Elliott went to Maine where he worked in
the woods for several years, and then removed with his family to
Grafton county, New Hampshire. That county was the family
home for about twenty years. In 1856, he came to Wisconsin, re-
17 — iii

258 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

maining about six years ; he then moved to Iowa, and after a resi-
dence there of two years he came to Black Earth. The subject's
mother was a devout member of the Baptist church. Of the eight
children of Jotham and Lyclia Elliott only two are now living,
Mary Ann, widow of I. J. Sargent, living in Brookfield, Vt., and
John A., the subject of this sketch. When he was fourteen years
of age, John left his home to "work out" and in 1854 he came west,
as far as Janesville, Wis. In November, 1857, he came to Madison ;
lived one year in the town of Verona, and moved from there to
Blue Mounds, where he lived on a rented farm nine years, having
also a forty which he had purchased ; after selling that he lived in
Lafayette county for two years and then bought one hundred and
ninety-four acres of partly improved land on section 27 in the town
of Black Earth. In 1878 he sold the farm and purchased nine acres
in Black Earth village, where he has since resided. Mr. Elliott is
one of the pillars of the Black Earth Congregational church. His
politics fit in with his religion, — he is a strong Prohibitionist. On
November 24, 1859, he married Clarinda (Pitkin) Elliott, the widow
of his brother Jonathan, by whom she had five children, Joseph P.,
Jonathan P., Irving J., Clara J. and Naidie. John A. Elliott was
the father of one child, John F., who died at the age of sixteen.

Harvey H. Emery is a well-known and successful farmer of Rut-
land, which was his birth-place. John P. Emery, his father, was a
carpenter in Vermont, married his first wife there and came west
in 1846, locating in the town of Dunkirk, where he purchased one
hundred and sixty acres of land. This he later exchanged for a
farm in Rutland and in 1867 bought a farm in section 11, which
he subsequently made his home. Five children were born to his
first wife, of whom J. 0. Emery of Madison is the only survivor.
Catherine, George, Jane and Henry were the other children. Henry
was killed at Gainesville during the Civil War. John Emery's sec-
ond wife was Miss Mary Danks of Vermont and three sons were
born to them, Harvey, Charles and Ellsworth, of whom only the
first is living. The Emery family have always been active workers
in the Free-will Baptist church, of which H. H. Emery contem-
plates writing a history. H. H. Emery was born August 3, 1857,
attended school at Rutland and at Whitewater and early engaged
in farming. His present farm he has occupied since 1880 and has
improved it and managed it carefully. It is in very prosperous
condition and on it Mr. Emery carries on a large business. He is
an independent and prohibitionist in politics and is at present town
assessor, though he has never endeavored to obtain political recog-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 359

nition, unlike his father, who held many offices in the county. In
January, 1879, Mr. Emery married Miss Hannah A. Hunt, daughter
of Charles and Hannah Hunt who came from England to
Herkimer county. N. Y., in 1839. They later located in Rutland,
where Mr. Hunt owned a farm. Of their thirteen children. Mrs.
Emery is the only one living. Mr. and Mrs. Emery have three
children, all graduates from the Stoughton high school. The old-
er daughter, Linnie L., is also a graduate from the Whitewater
normal school and was a successful teacher before her marriage.
She is the wife of Prof. T. I. Doudna, who is a prominent and suc-
cessful teacher, at present located in Richland Center. Lloyd
Franklin, the only son, is a farmer of Rutland and attended the
state agricultural school in 1892-3. Maud A., the younger daugh-
ter, resides with her parents.

J. Q. Emery, dairy and food commissioner of the state of Wis-
consin, was born in the town of Liberty, Licking county, Ohio,
September 15, 1843. His ancestor, Anthony Emery, landed in Bos-
ton in 1635. His parental grand parents were Caleb and Margaret
(Powel) Emery; his parents were John P. and Huldah (Darling)
Emery, the former a native of New York and the latter of Ver-
mont. John P. brought his family to Dane county in 1816, settling
in the town of Dunkirk, and later removing to the town of Rutland.
Both he and his wife were members of the Free Will Baptist church,
the first edifice of that denomination being built on his farm. He
was several times a member of the town board of supervisors. By
his marriage to Huldah Darling he was the father of five children :
Catherine ; Henry, a member of the Seventh Wisconsin Infantry
and killed in the battle of Gainesville, August 23, 1862 ; J. Q., who
also, in August, 1862, enlisted with Captan Miller in the Twentieth
Regiment of Wisconsin volunteers ; being under age, and having
then his only brother in the Seventh Regiment, Wisconsin volun-
teers, his father refused to sign his enlistment papers ; George and
Jane, who died in childhood. After the death of his first wife,
which occurred in 1851, he married Mary Danks, and to this union
were born three children : Harvey Hall, a farmer ; Ellsworth, died
in childhood ; and another child who died in infancy. J. O. Emery
received his elementary education in the common schools of Dane
county. He was graduated from the Albion academy, receiving
the degree of Ph. B. in 1866. In 1882 Beloit college conferred upon
him the honorary degree of A. M. His career as a teacher began
in 1863, when he taught for some time in the district schools. Af-
ter his graduation from Albion, he was macTe a teacher there, and

260 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

later was elected without opposition to the position of school sup-
erintendent for the eastern district of the county, resigning two
years later (in 1869) to accept the principalship of the Union
graded schools of Grand Rapids. Shortly after his removal to
Grand Rapids, he was made school superintendent for Wood
county and was re-elected inl871. These two positions he held
for four years, resigning both in 1873 to accept the principalship
of the Fort Atkinson high school, in which position he remained
for sixteen years. Of his work in this school, the Columbian His-
tory of Education in Wisconsin contains this estimate : "Here for
sixteen years Professor Emery labored with an earnestness and de-
votion to the work which attracted the attention of educators
throughout the state, and won for him the love and admiration of
hundreds of pupils who were fortunate enough to come under his
able and inspiring instruction. Few men in the history of Wiscon-
sin have been so universally approved and commended by parents
and citizens as was Professor Emery in Fort Atkinson. While en-
gaged as principal of this school, he became widely known through-
out the state by the interest he manifested in the state teachers'
association, the efficient work which he performed in the capacity
of instructor of institutes, and in the diligent sympathy he has
shown in aiding and encouraging the younger members of the
teaching profession." In 1889, he was chosen unanimously by the
state board of normal school regents as president of the state nor-
mal school at River Falls, without any solicitation whatever on his
part. His occupancy of this position continued for four years
during which time the school experienced such phenomenal growth
as to attract general attention throughout Wisconsin. In conse-
quence of the wide acquaintance of the people with his ability, he
was nominated for state superintendent of schools on the Republi-
can ticket in the fall of 1894, and was elected. He was re-nomi-
nated by acclamation and re-elected in 1896, receiving 265,940
votes, the largest number ever given to any candidate for a state
office in Wisconsin. As state superintendent he was ex-officio a
member of the board of regents of normal schools and of the state
university, of the state library commission and of the geological
survey. Mr. Emery has been president of the Wisconsin teacher's
association and for many years has taken an active part in the pro-
ceedings of that organization. Previous to his election as state
superintendent he was frequently appointed official visitor to nor-
mal schools, and was a member of the board of examiners for
teachers' state certificates. As state superintendent he maintained

BIOGRAPHICAL. 261

the confidence and esteem of the public. When Professor Emery-
assumed charge as dairy and food commissioner of the state of
Wisconsin there were but five members on the commission. Un-
der his administration the number of commissioners has been in-
creased to eighteen and every one is an expert ; instead of one
chemist, as when he assumed charge, there are now three. The
laws relating to dairy and food, under his recommendations and
efforts, have been greatly modified and expanded. The exhibits
Professor Emery has made of food adulterations at state and county
fairs and in all the leading cities of the state, accompanied by ad-
dresses on food adulteration, have resulted in a great awakening of
the public on that question. At the time of his appointment he
was president of the state dairymen's association and a member
of the board of regents of normal schools. Mr. Emery cast his first
vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has never voted any other than the
Republican ticket since. Probably no man is more widely known
in the agricultural and educational circles than is Professor Emery.
In 1869 he married Marie T., daughter of Giles F. Lawton, of Al-
bion, and to this union have been born two children, — Daisy Mabel,
who died at the age of twenty months ; and Sydney Lawton, now
in company wtih his father and managing the farm in Albion.
Both Professor and Mrs. Emery are members of the Congrega-
tional church.

Merton Jay Emerson, one of the well-known citizens of Cottage
Grove townshp, where he has a fine farm and also conducts a well
equipped general store, was born in Sandy Creek, a little village
in Oswego county, New York, June 3, 1849. In the old Empire
state were also born his parents, Minot Ely Emerson and Lucy C.
(Wright) Emerson, who removed thence to Wisconsin and settled
in Dane county when he was about seven years of age which was
about fifty years ago. Here they passed the remainder of their
lives, having been honored residents of Cottage Grove township,
with whose development in the pioneer days the father was closely
identified, having been a farmer by vocation. This worthy couple
became the parents of five sons, three of whom are deceased, the
only living brother of the subject of this review being R. E. Emer-
son, who is now a resident of Boise, Idaho. Five of the sons were
gallant defenders of the Union in the Civil War, having
been members of Company I, Twenty-third Wisconsin Volunteer
Infantry. Merton J. Emerson was reared on the pioneer farm, in
Cottage Grove township, and his educational advantages were
limited to the somewhat primitive district schools of the period-

262 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

He became largely dependent upon his own resources when but
ten years of age, and well and successfully has he fought the bat-
tle of life, gaining a worthy success. At the age noted he secured
employment on a neighboring farm, and he was thus engaged for
three years, while for the following three years he was employed
on the farm of his father. The next year he was elsewhere
employed in the same arduous field of endeavor, and in the mean-
while he zealously saved his earnings, providing for his mainten-
ance by means of money earned through his musical ability, the
violin being his favorite instrument and his services being in much
demand on the occasion of the dances given in the locality. He
finally began working land on shares, thus continuing until 1876,
and three years later he made his first investment in real estate,
purchasing five acres, in Cottage Grove township. Three years
later he purchased an adjoining twenty-three acres, taking up his
residence on the place in 1882, in which year he also purchased
another tract, of twenty-two acres, contiguous to his original
place, while still later he added another tract, of thirty-two acres,
to his homestead. He made good improvements on the place and
continued to reside on the same until March, 1899, when he also
purchased forty-seven acres, in close proximity to the old place,
and removed to the new farm, where he opened a general store,
which he has since conducted most successfully, in addition to
supervising the operation of his fine landed estate, which now
comprises one hundred and twenty-nine acres. Mr. Emerson
started at the foot of the ladder and has known what is implied in
every upward step, since the same has been made entirely through
his careful and determined efforts. He is a citizen whose name
is a synonym for integrity and honor, and this fact, as coupled with
his genial nature, has gained to him a host of warm friends in the
county in which the major portion of his life has been passed. He
takes a loyal interest in local affairs of a public nature, but has
never sought office and is independent in his political attitude.
October 24, 1877, Mr. Emerson was united in marriage to Miss
Viola DeVoe, who was born September 12, 1857, being a daughter
of Amos M. and Sally (Lewis) DeVoe, natives of New York and
early settlers of Dane county. Her father was a member of Com-
pany I, Twenty-third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, in the Civil
War, and died while in the service. Of his five children all are liv-
ing except one. Mr. and Mrs. Emerson became the parents of six
children, all of whom are living except the eldest, Clayton E., who
was born January 19, 1880, and died August 8, 1890. The other

BIOGRAPHICAL. 263

children all remain at the parental home, their names, with re-
spective dates of birth, being as follows. Bertha I., August 14,
1882; Pearl B., September 12, 1884; Adaline P., February 18, 1887;
Minot E., September 20, 1892 ; and Alta C, March 5, 1896.

Lars M. Engesether, of DeForest, was born at Vienna township.
May 25, 1855, on the farm where he lived until recently, when he
rented it and moved to his place in Cumberland, Barron county.
He is of Norwegian ancestry, both his paternal grandfather, John
Engesether, and his paternal grandfather, Lars Mennes, having
having been natives of that country and died there. His maternal
grandmother, Ingeri (Larson) Mennes was born September 20,
1788. She came to Dane in 1854 and made her home with her son-
in-law, in the later years of her life, and up to the time of her
death, December 12, 1879, in her ninety-second year. The parencs
of Lars Engesether. Mikkel J. (born 1819.) and Synneva L. (Men-
nes) Engesether, (born, March 15, 1822), were educated in Norway
and married in that country in 1844, and the same year came to
Dane county, living first near Western church, about six miles
north of Stoughton ; cwo years later they came to Vienna township
and settled in section 24, on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres,
and two years afterward, about 1848, removed to section 25 to the
farm now owned by their son, Lars. Mr. Engesether was a
Lutheran and one of the founders of the Norway Grove Lutheran
church. Afterward, in 1883. he with others built the first Lutheran
church of DeForest, of which he and his wife were members until
their death. Like so many of his compatriots, he was a Republi-
can in politics. He was the father of eleven children, Ingerie, died
1844 (infant) ; John died in 1872, at the University of Wisconsin;
Engerie, now wife of Armond O. Haukeness ; Carrie, widow of
Hans Grinde; Lars, born 1853, died (infant) ; Lars M., born 1855;
Ingerie, born July 13, 1861, died September 25, 1861; Jens, born
May 25, 1865, and died August 19, of same year; Jens, born Octo-
ber 14, 1866, died April 28, 1873 ; Maria, wife of O. O. Larson, born
September 18, 1862, died October 20, 1892; Synneva, wife of An-
drew Esse. Lars M. Engesether began his education in the com-
mon schools'; this he supplemented by a term of six months at the
Marshall academy, and several terms at the Northwestern academy
of Madison. Mr. Engesether followed farming as an occupation
and has been very successful in his chosen work ; his farm at one
time covered two hundred and ten acres, but he has disposed of
about forty acres. In Barron county he owns a large tract of six
hundred and ninety acres, and one hundred and thirty-eight acres

264 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

of which are within the limits of the city of Cumberland. His is
a stock farm used principally for the breeding of short-horn cat-
tle and Poland China Hogs. He is a Republican and has acted as
supervisor for one term ; he was also a census taker in 1900. He
was one of the first committee to plat the old cemetery at Norway
Grove, and he and his family are members of the first Lutheran
church, which his father helped to found. He married, March 9,
1886, Miss Johanna Johnson, daughter of Ole and Ingeborg (Rowe)
Johnson both of whom were born in Norway, he in March 23, 1835,
and she on March 28, 1826. Mr. Johnson and his wife came to
Dane about 1860, and located in Medina township; in 1899 they
came to DeForest, having retired from the strenuous life of the
modern farm. They are members of the Norway Grove Lutheran
church, and Mr. Johnson is a Republican. To Mr. and Mrs. Enges-
ether have been born nine- children ; Sina Ingebor, born December
3, 1886; Amanda Josephine, born February 4, 1888; John L.. born
September 19, 1889; Ingeborg L., born April 1, 1891, and died April
13, 1892; Ingeborg Maria, born January 28, 1893; Maria Jennis,
born July 4. 1894; Mitchell L., born February 10, 1897; Otto L.,
born March 10, 1902; Lilly Johanna, born May 4, 1904.

Ludwig England, who conducts an up-to-date and well stocked
hardware store in the village of Mt. Horeb, is one of the younger
representatives of the business interests of that thriving place. He
was born in Norway on September 11, 1865, and is the son of Lars
and Orelog England, both of whom were also born in the land of
the Norsk. The family migrated to America in 1866, and, coming
directly to Wisconsin and to Dane county, settled in the town of
Primrose, where the father engaged in farming and followed that
occupation until his death, in 1895, at the age of seventy-three years
The mother still resides on the old. homestead in Primrose. The
subject of this review is one of eight children that were born to
these parents of whom five are living — Tena married Mathias
Strommen and resides in Minnesota ; Lewis is a resident of the state
of Iowa ; Christian resides on the old La Follette farm in the town
of Primrose; Ludwig is he whose name introduces this review;
and David resides on the old homestead in Primrose. Our subject
was reared and educated in the town of Primrose and spent his
early life on the farm, following the occupation of a tiller of the
soil until 1901. In 1903 he removed to Mt. Horeb and engaged in
the hardware business in company with Olaf Hanson, under the
firm name of Hanson & England. About a year later Mr. England
purchased the interest of his partner and has since conducted the

BIOGRAPHICAL. 265

business alone, carrying- an extensive line of general hardware,
builders' supplies, stoves, etc., and has met with a very gratifying
success. Our subject was married on March 3, 1882, to Miss Mary
Anderson, of the town of Primrose. Mr. England is a Republican
in his political affiliations and his ability and worth as a citizen
has been recognized by election to the office of clerk of the school
board. Fraternally he has a membership in the Modern Woodmen
of America and also in the Beavers.

Iver L. Erdahl, a farmer of the town of Pleasant Springs, was
born on October 16, 1851, not far from where he now lives. His
father. Lewis Gunderson, was a native of Hardanger, Norway,
grew to manhood and married there and after his marriage came to
America, settling in the town of Pleasant Springs. There he
bought two hundred acres of land, which he improved and lived
on it until his death at the age of eighty-three years. Once he
visited his old home in Norway. He was a member of the
Lutheran church. He and his wife had ten children, viz: Christ
Iver L., Ellen, Tena, Gunder, Nels, Lewis. Betsy, Sophia and John.
Christ and Nels are deceased ; Iver and Lewis are farmers in the
town of Pleasant Springs ; Ellen lives in the town of Dunkirk ;
Betsy lives in Milwaukee, and the rest live in Stoughton. Iver L.
Erdahl received a moderate education and lived with his parents
until he was about twenty-four years of age. On June 9. 1876. he
married Maria Norgard. daughter of Peter and Susanna Osmon-
son, and for six years managed his father-in-law's farm. He was
then associated with his uncle, Iver G. Lunde, for one year, after
which he located where he now Jives. He now owns two hundred
and twenty acres of the best land in the neighborhood, and carries
on a general farming business. Politically Mr. Erdahl is a Repub-
lican and takes an active interest in public affairs. He has held
local offices and served on the school board. He is a member of
the West Lutheran church, of which his father was one of the
founders. The parents of Mrs. Erdahl came to Dane county about
1845, being among the pioneer settlers. They are both now de-
ceased, leaving two children, Mrs. Erdahl and Andrew who now
lives on the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Erdahl have had eleven
children, seven of whom are yet living. Susan is the wife of John
Wesland, of Pleasant Springs; Peter and George are at home ;
Clara. Earl Clarence and Mabel are so unfortunate as to be in-
mates of the deaf and dumb asylum at Delavan.

Lars P. Erdahl, a thrifty farmer of the town of Pleasant Springs
was born in Hardanoer countv, Norway, November 16. 1S14. His

266 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

parents were Ingebright Pederson, born January 28, 1809, and Anna
Helnsdaughter, born January 15, 1810. The father was a tailor,
and in 1847 with his wife and three sons he landed in New York
after a voyage of four weeks. From New York to Buffalo the
family traveled on canal boat; thence to Milwaukee by steamer,
and from Milwaukee to the town of Pleasant Springs by ox-team.
On June 21. 1847, the father took out his citizenship papers at
Madison. He and a cousin got eighty acres in section 2 with a
small clearing and a log house and lived there two years. Then
the father bought three hundred and fifty acres of land in sections
20 and 21. The first winter the family lived in a dugout, and the
next summer put up a log house. There were seven children in the
family, Hilga, who went to Kansas in 1860 and died there in 1862 ;
Peter, a retired farmer of Evansville ; Lars P., the subject of this
sketch ; Guri, died in infancy ; Helen, deceased ; Betsy, deceased ;
and an unnamed infant who died in Norway. Peter Erdahl married
Sarah Hawkins of Winnebago county, Wis., and by her had
six children, Albert, Ellsworth. Julius, James, Annie (deceased),
and Vilina. Peter Erdahl was the first man to enlist in the Union
army from Pleasant Springs. He was a private in Company G,
Third Wisconsin Infantry and acted as regimental color bearer.
During one of the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac, of which
the Third Wisconsin took part, Peter was wounded and taken pris-
oner. He received an honorable discharge in 1865. Lars P. Er-
dahl also saw some service in the Civil War, in the quartermaster's
department in Arkansas. He was educated in the Lutheran church
schools, and at the age of eleven, he attended the district school.
For one year he was a student at Albion academy. While Mr. Er-
dahl has traveled a great deal he has always made Pleasant Springs
his home. In 1877 he clerked in a store in Dell Rapids, S. D., then
for four years he was in St. Paul, traveling part of the time for
the Fuller & Johnson Company of Madison ; for another year and
a half he was in the hardware business at Rothsay, Minn., with A.
Anderson & Co., and in the same business for another year at Fer-
gus Falls. Minn. ; for some time he was purchasing agent for the
Millers' Association of Minneapolis. Since 1885, however, he has
managed the homestead farm and done some carpenter work. Mr.
Erdahl was formerly a Republican and as such served one term as
town treasurer and on the party central committee ; he was also a
member of the school board for three terms. Latterly, however,
Mr. Erdahl has worked under the banner of the Prohibition party.
He is a devout and faithful member of the Lutheran church of

BIOGRAPHICAL. 267

. Pleasant Springs, whose first structure his father helped build.
He has always been a bachelor. A profound thinker, he is one of
the best-read members of the community. His farm of two hun-
dred acres is in many ways a model. He is a member of Social
Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Stoughton, and since
1875 has been a member of Atlantic Encampment, No. 50.

Edward Erickson, one of the progressive and popular business
men of the city of Stoughton, where his interests are varied and
important, was born in Christiania, Norway, March 21, 1860,
"being a son of Elias and Gunwild (Andusdatter) Erickson. The
father immigrated to America in 1869, making his way directly to
Wisconsin and locating in Perry township, Dane county, where he
worked at farming two years, at the expiration of which, in 1871,
his family joined him. They took up their residence in the village
of DeForest, and for several years thereafter he was in the employ
of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company. In
1880 he purchased a farm of sixty-five acres, in Cottage Grove town-
ship, where he passed the remainder of his life, his death there
occurring in 1884, at which time he was sixty-five years of age.
His wife survived him by several years. They reared a family of
six children, namely: Edward, Valborg, Caroline Inga, August
Cornelius, Andrew and John. Caroline I. is now the wife of Wil-
liam Huntley. The subject of this review secured his rudimentary
education in his native land, having been eleven years of age at
the time of the family immigration to the United States. He was
reared to maturity in Dane county, where he attended the common
schools and effectively supplemented his previous training. In
1882 he located in Stoughton, where he was employed in the T. G,
Mandt Wagon Works for the ensuing years. He has, since 1887,
conducted one of the most popular buffets in the city. He has also
dealt extensively in real estate and has made many judicious in-
vestments in local realty as well as buying and selling property in
Minnesota. In 1891 he built his present place of business, and in
1902 he erected his handsome residence, at a cost of eight thousand
dollars. In 1905 he erected what is admitted to be the finest busi-
ness block in the city, the same being utilized for store and office
purposes and representing an outlay of sixteen thousand dollars.
He is enterprising as a business man and public-spirited as a citi-
zen. In politics his support is given to the Republican party and
both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. April
25, 1885, Mr. Erickson was united in marriage to Miss Gjertrud,
daughter of Ole Amundson, of Liberty Prairie, this county, and
they have two daughters, — Alma and Amy.

268 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Edward Erickson, a farmer of Rutland, is of Norwegian birth and
ancestry. His father, Erick, married Inger Tulfson and of their
eight children, three are now living in America ; Rebecca, who re-
sides in Pleasant Springs, Edward and Inger in Rutland. Edward
Erickson was born in Christiansen, Norway, August 3, 1846, re-
ceived his education in the common schools in Norway, and re-
mained with his parents until 1882, when he embarked for America.
The first three years of the new life were spent at Pleasant Springs,
the next period at Dunkirk, in both of which places he rented farms.
Finally Mr. Erickson purchased an eighty-acre farm in Rutland
which is his present home and of which he has made a valuable
property. In October, 1874, he married Miss Carrie Knutson,
daughter of Capt. Knute Osuldson and Pauline (Paulson) Osuld-
son, whose home was in Norway. Capt. Knute Osuldson was a
sea-captain of many voyages but his home was always in Norway,
although four of his children came to America. Mr. and Mrs. Erick-
son have four children ; Emih a painter of Madison, Wis. ; Peter,
Christina and Edward, who live with their parents. Mr. Erickson
is a member of the school board and a Republican, though he has
never been an active politician. He is a member of the Lutheran
church. One of our Norwegian-American citizens, who came to
America with no fortune but his energy and thrift, Mr. Erickson
succeeded in winning from the west a substantial and comfortable
livelihood.

Truls T. Erickson, deceased, was the son of pioneers of Dane.
His parents came in a very early day to Vienna township, where
the subject of this sketch was born, one of a family of fifteen child-
ren, only three of whom are now living. The home was maintained
here for many years, and here Mrs. Erickson died in 1887. In 1885,
Mr. Erickson moved to Minnesota, where he resided until his
death, September 24, 1890. He was a Republican, and all of the
family were connected with the Hauges Lutheran church. Truls
T. Erickson, Jr., received a good practical education at the common
schools, the Marshall academy and the Northwestern Business
college of Madison. After leaving school he turned his attention
to farming. He owned a good farm of one hundred and fifty acres,
upon which he had made most of the improvements, at the time of
his death. His affairs were left in such order that with the aid of
her children. Mrs Erickson has been able to add to the homestead
and has now a fine property of two hundred acres. On November
8, 1877, Mr. Truls Erickson, Jr., was married to Miss Randie Samp-
son, daughter of Lars Sampson, who is mentioned in this work.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 269

Their children are, — Charles Ebenezer, a farmer ; he attended school
at Mt. Horeb three years and Decorah college one year ; Simon
Lewis, educated at De Forest high school and Northwestern Busi-
ness college, Madison ; Theodore Martin, educated in De Forest high
school ; as was also the daughter, Sadie Rosina ; the youngest, John
Carl, followed his high school work by academic study, being at the
present writing a student of Red Wing seminary. Mr. Erickson
appreciated the value of a thorough equipment for the young man in
these days of eager competition in business life, and provided all
of his children with that practical intellectual training which fits
them for positions of trust and profit.

Hon. N. C. Evans, M. D., is one of the prominent physicians of
Dane county and a very skillful and successful surgeon, maintaning
a private hospital in the village of Mt. Horeb, which place has been
his residence throughout all of his useful professional career. He
is a son of Christian Evanson, who was born in the province of
Christiania, Norway, December 24, 1819. While in his native
country the father was engaged as a drover and dealer in live stock,
but later he learned the tinners' trade, and in 1854 he came to
America. Mr. Evanson was married in Norway to Rachel (or Rag-
nild) Nielson Brekke, a native of that country, and who came to
America with her brother, Lars Nelson, in 1848, preceding her
husband by about five years. They came by sailing vessel and were
sixteen weeks on the voyage, having been grounded on a rock
near England and obliged to wait for repairs. After landing in
New York they came by the Erie canal an.d the lakes to Milwaukee,
then to near Stoughton and later to Madison, where her husband
joined her when he arrived in America. The father was then with-
out money, having failed on account of Modum's nickel mine shut-
ting down, his customers being miners and not able to meet their
obligations. But by hard work the mother had saved about $350,
and they first engaged in keeping a boarding-house in Madison, one
year, and then purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land on
section 14, in the town of Perry, paying three dollars per acre for
the same. They lived about four years in a "dug-out," covered with
sod, etc., after which they erected a more commodious residence,
in which they lived until the death of the mother in 1892, at the age
of seventy-three years. Some time after the death of his wife the
father removed to Mt. Horeb, and there died at the residence of
his son on April 2, 1897, at the age of seventy-eight years, both
father and mother being laid to rest in the cemetery at Mt. Horeb.
The father added to his original purchase until he owned two nun-

270 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

dred and forty acres of the finest land in the town of Perry, and in
addition to his farming interests he engaged in the mercantile bus-
iness for several years. In 1872 he was appointed postmaster of
Forward, Dane county, and although not a politician he served as a
member of the board of supervisors and as assessor and treasurer
of the town. Mr. and Mrs. Evanson were the parents of four child-
ren : Christian, deceased, was buried in Rochester, N. Y. ; Annette
is the wife of Peter A. Tyvan and resides in Mt. Horeb ; Niels C.
is the subject of this review; and Matilda, who died at the age of
three and one half years, was buried in the old Perry cemetery.
Niels C. Evans, the immediate subject of this review, was born on
the old homestead in the town of Perry, July 10, 1857. His peo-
ple were strongly opposed to the common schools, and he therefore
studied the catechism and learned what he could under adverse
circumstances until twelve years of age. He was then permitted
to attend the public schools during the winter terms the follow-
ing four years, after which, in company with another boy, he started
for Postville. Green county, where they attended school three
months. Mr. Evans returned home every Saturday, walking the
entire distance of ten miles, and on Monday morning took provis-
ions to last through the week. After leaving this school he at-
tended the Worthington Business College, at Madison, three
months, after which he continued his studies at home. He was
then in poor health, and consequently had much time for study. In
1881 Mr. Evans began the study of medicine, under Dr. A. J. Ward,,
of "Madison, with whom he remained from September until the fol-
lowing April. He was an apt student and made rapid progress.
The following autumn he entered the College of Physicians and
Surgeons, at Chicago, from which he was graduated on March 4,
1884. and then began the practice of his chosen profession at Mt.
Horeb. His practice has been of a general nature. A few years
after his arrival in Mt. Horeb, on April 8, 1888, he established a
drugstore in the village, and he still continues it, with a competent
apothecary in charge of affairs. Dr. Evans was married October 9,.
1879, to Miss Lena C. Lewis, a native of Norway, and whose parents
were prominent citizens in the town of Perry, the father being
Lewis Lewis, who migrated to America with his family when the
future Mrs. Evans was but a child. To this union have been born
four children : Carl Milo has charge of his father's drugstore ;
Nora Lydia is a clerk in the state bank at Mt. Horeb ; Belle Rosetta,
and Walter Clarence are in school. The doctor is prominent man
in his community, and although he has tried to hold aloof from poll-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 271

tics he has given an unswerving- allegiance to the basic principles
of the Democratic party. In recognition of his ability and personal
worth he has been frequently urged by his friends to accept posi-
tions of trust. During the autumn of the year 1892 he received the
nomination for member of the assembly on the Democratic ticket
in the fourth district of Dane county, and at the ensuing election
received a majority of 117 votes over all other candidates and a
plurality of 385 over the next highest. In his home town he re-
ceived forty-three Republican votes and lost but five of his own
party. Besides this legislative position he has held several local
positions : president of the village of Mt. Horeb, two years ; chair-
man of the town board one term, and he is the present supervisor
of the village. Professionally he is a member of the county, state
and national medical societies, and of the international congress
on tuberculosis, having attended the meeting of the same at St.
Louis. Dr. Evans is president of the state bank at Mt. Horeb,
was one of its promoters, and has been identified with it since
its organization. He is a member of the firm of Hessig, Grinde &
Evans, hardware dealers, and is also president of the Mt. Horeb
Independent Telephone .Company. His fraternal relations are with
the A. F. and A. M., lodge No. 227, at Mt. Horeb, the Robert McCoy
commandery. No. 3, of Madison ; and he is also a member of the
Modern Woodmen of America and of the Woodmen of the World.
Knudt Evenson, a farmer near Deerfield, was born at Lourdal,
Norway, April 8, 1849. his parents being Evan Holton and Gunneld
Hamsatvet. In 1860 the family came to Stoughton, but soon after-
ward went to the town of Cottage Grove, where for about two years
they lived on different farms, the father working as a hired man or
a tenant. They then bought a farm in the town of Deerfield, where
they continued to live until the death of both parents. Knute
Evenson received a limited education in the district schools of the
town of Cottage Grove and at the age of fourteen years began life
for himself as a farm hand at the wages of seven dollars a month.
He worked for various employers, continually bettering his posi-
tion until the year 1869. One year he was in the employ of ex-
Governor Taylor, receiving for that year $200. In 1869 he bought
twenty-eight acres of land from Mr. Taylor and began farming"
on his own account. Three years later he bought fifty-five acres
more, and in 1876 erected a house on the farm and lived there
until 1894, having in the mean time added to his farm until he
owned one hundred and five acres. He then traded this farm to his
father-in-law for the one on which he now lives, and which con-

272 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

tains two hundred and eighty-four acres. His father came to Amer-
ica about a year before the rest of the family and Knudt borrowed
money from his sister to pay the passage of himself and mother, and
this debt was paid from his first earnings. On February 10, 1875,
he married Anna Johnson, who was born on March 3, 1855, the
daughter of Elling and Dorotha Johnson, of Deerfield. To this
marriage have been born the following children : Dena, born Jan-
uary 16, 1876, now the wife of Lars Nesthus, living near her pa-
rents; Hilda born November 5, 1878, stenographer for the Boston
Construction Company, of Seattle, Wash., Elling, born March 16,
1862; Emma, born March 5, 1884; Louisa, born March 3, 1889;
Clara, born March 2, 1891. The four younger children are at home
with their parents. Mr. Evenson is independent in his political
opinions. From 1874 to 1876 he was deputy sheriff of the county;
for ten years was a member of the town board ; was district clerk
for twenty-five years, and is now serving his fifth year as district
treasurer. He is president and manager of the Oak Park Creamery
Association, and was for four years constable. He is a member
of Deerfield camp, No. 1413, Woodmen of America, in which he
has held the office of consul, and he and his wife belong to the Nor-
wegian Lutheran church.

Peter Faber, contractor and builder, carpenter and joiner, whose
residence is at 302 South Park street and whose place of business
is at 808 Chandler street, was born in the town of Badem, Kr. Bit-
bury R. P., Trier, Germany on the Rhine, December 21, 1854, His
parents were Michael and Elizabeth (Herber) Faber, both natives
of Germany. The father was a farmer in the Fatherland, but after
coming to Madison in 1887 he lived a retired life. He died at the
age of seventy and his wife at the age of eighty-one. They were
both communicants or the German Catholic church and their final
resting place is Calvary. Cemetary, Madison. The subject of this
sketch is the oldest of five children. Mary, Mrs. Jacob Seifer, the
eldest, died in Chicago at the age of thirty-five. John is a carpenter
in the state of Washington. Gerhardt lives in Olympia, Wash.,
William is a mason making Madison his home. Peter Faber went
to farming after the completion of his scholastic work in Germany.
In 1880 he sailed for the United States, and upon his arrival here
settled in Chicago. It was there that he served his apprenticeship
as a carpenter and followed his trade for six years. In 1886 he came
to Madison and for the following six years was employed at his
vocation. Subsequently, in 1892, he entered the contracting field.
That he has been successful is evidenced by his amount of patron-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 273

age and the quantity of work he has on hand. He employs from
ten to twenty men the year around. Many of the churches and
schools in the immediate vicinity of Madison were built by Mr.
Faber and the quality of his workmanship is such that he is known
all over the country. On Thanksgiving day, November 30, 1882.
Mr. Faber led to the altar Miss Catherine Michaels, born in Ger-
many, and a daughter of Nicholas and Anna (Wickart) Michaels.
The mother is still a resident of Emperor William's kingdom.
Her husband died about the time of his daughter's marriage. Mr.
and Mrs. Faber are the parents of nine children. Mary and Anna
are dressmakers in Madison. Michael is employed by his father.
The other children are Margaret. Peter L. (died at nine years of
age), Gerhart, Cathrina, Peter II., and Elizabeth. The family are
communicants of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Faber is promi-
nently identified with the Catholic Foresters. He is a splendid
workman, and a worthy, reliable citizen.

Hendrick O. Fadnes, a well-known and successful farmer of the
town of Christiania, is a native of Voss, Norway, where he was
born July 24, 1833. His father, Ole H. Fadnes. was born in Voss,
educated there and owned a good farm property which he sold in
1816 in order to try his fortunes in the United States. He married
Miss Susan Berstad, in Norway, and two children were there born
to them, — Hendrick O., and Nels. Their daughter Carrie, who is
the widow of Hendrick Bringberg, was born in Wisconsin.
The voyage from Norway to New York occupied over six weeks
and was followed by the long journey to Milwaukee on the lakes.
At Milwaukee Mr. Fadnes' purchased an ox team and a wagon,
which carried the family to Dane county, and in the vicinity of
Deerfield, where a brother and cousin also settled, he obtained a
farm. One hundred and twenty acres belonged to the original
homestead but a tract of eighty acres was soon added to it and later
sixty-five acres more. In 1892. Mr. Fadnes died and his wife in
1895. They were devoted members of the Norwegian Lutheran
church to which their son Hendrick also belongs. Hendrick at-
tended school in the new home. He assisted his father in clearing
and improving the farm and has always made fanning his business.
Many improvements on the old homestead are due to his thrift and
energy and he there carries on an extensive business, raising stock
as well as hay, corn, grain, etc. A Republican in his political sym-
pathies, Mr. Fadnes is always interested in local affairs and has
served the community as supervisor and member of the school
18— iii

27-t HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

board. In May, 1855, he married Miss Annie Knutson, daughter
of Andrew Knutson, a farmer of Cambridge, who came from Nor-
way in 1855. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fadnes.
The oldest son, Ole. died. The next son, also named Ole, lives at
Rio, Wis. Usher resides in Columbia county. Andrew H. is a
farmer of Christiania, Susan and Knute make their home in Colum-
bia county. Martin is a citizen of Cambridge and the youngest
child died in infancy.

General Lucius Fairchild, soldier statesman, was born in what
is now Kent, Portage county, Ohio. He was the son of Jairus
Cassius and Sallie (Blair) Fairchild, the former of whom was a na-
tive of New York, born December 24, 1801. The General's mother
was from New England and of Scotch-Irish descent, — a woman of
vigorous personality, and noted for her kind and hospitable nature.
The parents were married in Ohio and made their residence in
Cleveland in 1834. coming to Madison, the territorial capital of
Wisconsin in 1846 when Lucius was fourteen. He obtained his
education in the common schools of Cleveland, Twinsburg academy
in that state, and in the academy of Waukesha, Wis. When a lad
of only seventeen he made the trip across the plains to California
by ox-team, and spent six years in the Golden State, accumulating
some gold and much practical experience. Speaking of his life
there he said : "I was forced to depend upon my own energy to
attain anything, and there was no alternative but incessant labor.
Since that period I have always been fond of work and glad to
have plenty of it." While in the mountains of California he had
his first political experience, as a delegate to the convention which
nominated Governor Bigler, and by reason of an accident en route,
sat in the convention without a coat, or a cent in his pocket. Soon
after his return to Madison he was elected on the Democratic ticket,
circuit court clerk for Dane county, and made a business-like and
courteous official. He was admitted to the bar in 1860. The Civil
War interrupted his legal- career, just beginning, as he was one of
the first to respond to the first call for volunteers, enlisting as a
private. He was made captain of his company, the "Governor's
Guard," which was assigned as Company K, First Wisconsin
Volunteer Regiment. He was tendered the position of lieutenant-
colonel of his regiment by Governor Randall, but declined it on the
ground that he was not qualified. His military career was brilliant
in the extreme and and he saw much hard service, most of it as
colonel of the Second Wisconsin, which formed a part of the fa-
mous Iron Brigade commanded at first by Gen. Rufus King, of Wis-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 27S

consin, and assigned to the first division of the first army corps.-
General Fairchild participated in the battles of Gainesville, second
Manasses, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancell-
orsville and Gettysburg, besides innumerable skirmishes. His left
arm was shattered at Gettysburg, so that amputation was necessary,
and he was forced to return to Madison to recruit his health, and
while home received the appointment of brigadier-general of vol-
unteers. In August, 1861, President Lincoln had appointed him
captain in the Sixteenth Regiment of the regular army. While
convalescing, much to his surprise, the Union convention of Wis-
consin made him its candidate for secretary of state, and influen-
tial friends pursuaded him, much against his own wishes, that in his
enfeebled condition he could better serve his country by accepting
the nomination, than by returning to the front. He is said after-
wards to have much regretted that he did not follow his own im-
impulses and remain in the army ; and this, too, despite his great
success in office. Said one who knew him well : "Thus closed a
military career, than which there were few more brilliant and val-
uable. He passed from private to brigadier-general in a little over
two years, and every step of the progress was earned. He was an
indefatigable worker, and gave all his time and best judgment to
the service and aimed to improve every detail which came within
his province. He was but thirty-two years of age when disabled
by his wound. Such a rise, at such an age, and in so short a time,
demonstrates conclusively his value as a soldier and his possession
of rare qualities of organization and leadership." After resigning
his rank in both the regular and the volunteer service, General
Fairchild was elected secretary of state, and on the expiration of
his term was three times elected governor of the state on the Re-
publican ticket, each time by a handsome majority. He brought
much executive ability, and a high order of zeal,- and fidelity to the
public interests, to the discharge of his public duties, being espec-
ially active in promoting the educational interests of the state.
One year after his retirement to private life, in December, 1872,
he was appointed by President Grant, United States consul to Liv-
erpool, England. In 1878 he was promoted to the position of con-
sul-general at Paris and then to the office of minister-plenipoten-
tiary at the court of Madrid. In England, France and Spain he
evoked high commendation from those to whom he was sent. Said
Liverpool journal years after his departure, "No American consul
ever made more friends at this port," and said another journal,
"While in Europe he made shipping and international commerce

276 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

the subject of complete study." In March 1881, he resigned his
post at Madrid, and returned to America to educate his children, in
part, at home. On his arrival in Madison, March 2, 1882, he re-
ceived an ovation. He was ever loyal to his military comrades and
they loved him. He was made senior vice-commander in chief of
the G. A. R., from May, 13, 1869, to May 12, 1870; state department
commander from February 4, 1886, and commander-in-chief of the
G. A. R., August 4, 1886 ; also, commander of the Wisconsin com-
mandery of the military order of the Loyal Legion from May 7T
1884, to May, 1887; and the commander-in-chief of the order- of the
Loyal Legion on October 11. 1893.

As a private citizen he was of the highest usefulness, and a
splendid example of high thinking and doing, and took great inter-
est in all the affairs of the day affecting country, state, town and
neighborhood. He was especially active in the work of building
the state historical library. He was married in 1864 and had three
children, two of whom, with the widow, survive him. He had a
remarkably strong face, indicative of kindness, decision and frank-
ness ; in person he was of medium size, with a well knit frame,
active and powerful ; he was direct and positive in speech, some-
times with a soldier's bluntness which men do not dislike, and he
was destitute of all cant or affectation. His death took place
May 23, 1896.

01eH. Farness, of DeForest, is one of the earliest settlers in the
county, coming from Norway, — where he was born November 28,,
1826, — in 1847. His parents, Herman and Rande H. Farness.
were born in Norway, and after the death of Mrs. Farness there,
her husband followed his son to America, coming in 1856, but he
lived only two years after his arrival here. Ole H. Farness re-
ceived his education in Norway, and upon coming to Dane took up
one hundred and twenty acres of government land. He obtained
more, from time to time, until, at one time, he owned six hundred
and twenty acres. He is at the present time a general farmer and
stock-raiser, on a farm of three hundred and ten acres. He is a
Republican and a member of the Lutheran church. He was mar-
ried in 1847, to Miss Gertrude Esse, (born in Norway, April 13,
1827), by whom he had six children. Lars, Herman, Rande, Ole,
Betsey, Herman, of whom only one, Rande, is living. His first
wife died June 2, 1859, and the following year he married Miss
Anna Nelson,— daughter of Nels Knutson,— who died March 3,
1902. Her children were Gertrude, Nels, Thomas, Thomas, Jo-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 277

seph, Sarah. Betsey, Joseph, Simon and Benjamin ; of these the
elder Thomas, Joseph and Sarah died.

Creighton P. Farnsworth, M. D., medical superintendent of the
Madison sanitarium at South Madison, was born near Mulberry
Grove, Bond county, 111. His parents were Henry C. and Adaline
(Muelter) Farnsworth. both natives of Ashtabula county, Ohio.
The father was a farmer until President Lincoln's call for 75,000
men was issued. He attempted to enlist but was rejected because
of his youth. Three months later, however, he was accepted and
succeeded in joining his company, K", of the Twenty-ninth Ohio
Volunteer Infantry. He was a partcipant in the battles of Chan-
cellorsville and Gettysburg, and then the Twelfth army corps, of
which the Twenty-ninth Ohio belonged, was merged with the
Eleventh corps to form the Twentieth and went west to assist in the
siege of Chattanooga. The regiment saw service in the battles of
Lookout Mountain, Ringgold, Fort and Kenesaw Mountains, Peach
Tree Creek, in the military operations about Atlanta and Savannah,
and the engagements at Averasboro and Jonesboro. When hostili-
ties had ceased the regiment participated in the grand review at
Washington and was then mustered out. Mr. Farnsworth returned
to Ashtabula and was married, proceeding thence to Bond county,
111. His residence there continued until 1875. when he removed to
Mount Hope, Grant county, Wis., to engage in farming. He still
makes Grant county his home, although now retired. His wife
died in 1881 at the age of forty-six. They were both members of
the Seventh-day Adventist church. Their daughter Pearl, now
Mrs. Benjamin Pendleton, is the only survivor, beside Dr. Farns-
worth, of the five children. Dr. Farnsworth received his prepara-
tory education in the high school at Mount Hope. His medical
training was acquired in the sanitarium at Battle Creek, Mich.
On September 4. 1900, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna
Bennett, a student in the medical course at Battle Creek. As a
wedding trip Dr. Farnsworth and his bride accompanied President
Charles Kendall Adams, of the University of Wisconsin, on a trip to
Europe, remaining abroad three months and visiting points in Italy.
Switzerland, France. Germany and Belgium. Dr. Farnsworth was
President Adams' physician and the voyage was taken with a view
to benefiting the latter's health. Upon their return to Madison
Dr. Farnsworth accepted a call to become superintendent of the
Guadalajara sanitarium of the state of Jalisco, Mexico. This place
has one of the finest locations in the world, at an elevation of fifty-
two hundred feet, and has a capacity of one hundred patients^

278 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

The doctor remained there one year and then went to Chicago
where he took an advanced course along the lines of electric treat-
ment and surgery. In a few months he came to Madison to accept
the position he now holds. He has organized the corporation and
superintended the erection of the sanatarium. It has a capacity
of seventy patients and is filled practically all the time. Inclusive
of nurses and doctors it employs some forty people. The location
on the shore of Lake Monona is quiet and exclusive, — altogether
an ideal spot for such an institution. A nurses' school is conduct-
ed in connection, of which Dr. Farnsworth is also superintendent.
He belongs to the county, the state and the American medical asso-
ciations. The doctor and his wife have two children, a boy and a
girl. Both Dr. and Mrs. Farnsworth are members of the Seventh-
day Adventist society, and the doctor of the Modern Woodmen
of America. Dr. Farnsworth is a man of wide and successful ex-
perience, is eminently fitted to superintend such an establishment,
which fills a long felt want in this section of the state.

George A. Farr is the owner of one of the fine farms of Cottage
Grove township, his homestead being situated in section 9, and he
is one of the popular and prosperous citizens of this section of the
country, while further interest attaches to the consideration of his
career in this work by reason of the fact that he is a native son of
Cottage Grove township, where his parents took up their abode
more than half a century ago. He was born on the pioneer farm
of his father, in the township mentioned, on August 18, 1853, being
a son of Horatio and Lucinda (Barrows) Farr, the former of whom
was born in the state of Vermont and the latter in that
of New York. The paternal grandfather was a valiant soldier in
Continental line during the War of the Revolution, the Farr family
having been founded in New England in the early colonial era.
George A. Farr was reared on the home farm, early beginning to as-
sist in its reclamation and cultivation, while his educational advan-
tages were those afforded in the district schools and Albion Acad-
emy, which latter institution he attended one term. His father
was twice married, four children having been born of the first union,
while George A. was the first born of the three children of the sec-
ond marriage. His brother, Charles, is a prosperous farmer of
Dunn township, Dane county, Wisconsin, and his sister. Seraph,
is the wife of Thomas Willey, of Lake Mills, this state. The par-
ents of Mr. Farr came to Dane county in September, 1852, and the
father purchased a tract of government land in Cottage Grove
township, the same being covered with the native forest and having

BIOGRAPHICAL. 279

no improvements. They resided on this place a short period, and
then disposed of the property, the father thereupon purchasing an
other place, in the same township where he and his wife passed the
remainder of their lives, having" been folk of sterling character and
having been uniformly esteemed in the community- The father
died in 1882, and the mother in 1890. George A. Farr continued to
be associated in the work and management of the home farm until
he had attained the age of twenty-seven years, when he purchased a
farm of forty acres, in his native township, there being actively en-
gaged in farming about twelve years, at the expiration of which
he sold the place and purchased his present fine homestead, which
comprises about sixty-seven acres, practically all being available
for cultivation, while the improvements are of substantial order. Mr.
Farr has never manifested any desire for public office, but has been
a stanch supporter of the cause of the democracy and has given his
aid and influence in furtherance of enterprises and undertakings
tending to advance the general welfare of the community. He is
affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. On May 5. 1881,
Mr. Farr was united in marriage to Miss Kate Durfey, who was
born March 12, 1851, her parents, Loomis and Ellen (Hooven) Dur-
fey, having likewise been numbered among the pioneers of Cottage
Grove township. She was the third in order of birth in a family of
seven children, and following is a brief record concerning the others :
Flora is the wife of John Sanders, of Colorado ; Henry is deceased ;
Edgar is a resident of the city of Madison ; Delilah is the wife of
Andrew Oually of Chicago. Illinois : Nellie is the wife of Elwood
Emerson of Chicago ; and Lillie is the wife of O. C. Whaling, of
Dodgeville, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Farr have four children, name-
ly : Winifred who was born May 20, 1882, and who is now the wife
of Daniel Moe, of Cottage Grove township ; Nellie D., who was born
Dec. 20, 1883, and who is now the wife of Herbert R. Cone, of Cot-
tage Grove township ; Charles Earl, who was born April 18, 1891 ;
and Clarence Albert, who was born October 20. 1896.

Anthony O. Farrell is one of the highly respected retired farmers
of the town of Oregon, which has been his home for many years,
and where by honest effort and strenuous toil he has gained a com-
petence that makes his declining years ones of quiet enjoyment.
He was born in the county of Sligo, Ireland, on May 2, 1828, and
is the son of Matthew and Bridget ( Feeney) Farrell. both natives
of the Emerald Isle, where they spent ali the years of their use-
ful lives. They were the parents of six children, only two of
whom are now living, the subject of this sketch having a sister,

280 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Mary, who is the wife of Michael Crowe and resides in the village
of Oregon. Matthew Farrell served for thirteen years as a sol-
dier in the British army. Anthony O. Farrell, whose name intro-
duces this memoir, received his education in the schools of his
native country, and continued to reside there until he had reached
the age of twenty-six years. He then, in 1854, sailed for America,
in the ship, Conqueror, and first took up his residence in Vermont,
where he resided twelve years, working a part of the time in the
marble quarries and when not thus engaged being employed as
a farm hand. In I860 he came to Wisconsin and first secured em-
ployment on the railroad then being constructed between Brooklyn
and Madison. He followed this occupation for three years, then
worked on a farm for about two years, after which he worked land
on shares, and in 1875 purchased the one hundred and twenty acres
of land in the town of Oregon, which he had previously been farm-
ing, and on which he has since continued to reside. He was mar-
ried in 1856, to Miss Ellen Dunn, who was also a native of County
Sligo, Ireland, and the date of her birth was May 8, 1857. Her
father was Lawrence Dunn and the maiden name of her mother was
Bridget Kelly. In the Dunn family there was a large family of
children, but only two daughters came to America — Bridget.who
married a Mr. Gilfeather, and she who became the wife of Mr.
Farrell — both of them being now deceased. Nine children were
born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Farrell : Matthew T. married
Catherine Keigen and resides in the town of Union ; Patrick L.
married May Kelley and is now deceased. — his widow resides in
Dakota ; Bridget married Byron Andrew and resides in Superior,
Wis. ; Edward married Mary Wallace and resides in South Dakota ;
Ellen married Olamp Garvoil and resides in the town of Rut-
land ; Mary Augusta is deceased ; John William resides in Chi-
cago ; Margaret Ann, now Mrs. Silver, resides at Kilbourn, Colum-
bia county. Wis. ; and Anthony J. married Wilhelmina Ace, and
resides with his father. Mr. Farrell is a Democrat in his politi-
cal affiliations, and his religious faith is expressed by membership
in the Roman Catholic church.

James M. Farwell, for many years a successful farmer in the
town of Vienna, is of New England descent and the son of one of
Windsor's pioneers. His father, James Farwell, was the son of
Oliver and Enseba Farwell. who always lived in Vermont. Their
son, however, came west in 1846, when forty-four years of age,
and lived upon a farm at Windsor station until his death in 1878.
The long journey was made with a team and consumed a number

BIOGRAPHICAL. 281

of weeks. Mr. Farwell married Miss Mandana Castle, born in
Vermont in 1801, and two sons and three daughters were born to
them, all living except one son. As justice of the peace for many
years, none of Mr. Farwell's decisons were ever reversed. He was.
allied with the Republican party. Both husband and wife were
members of the Universalist church. Their son, James M., was
born in Westford. Chittenden county, Vermont, July 5, 1835, was
sent to school in his native town in Vermont and in Windsor
and early engaged in farming. He now is the owner of three hun-
dred and sixty acres of fine farm property in the township of
Vienna, where beside his other farm industries he raises Poland
China swine and a herd of registered Holstein cattle. Like his
father, Mr. Farwell is a Republican but devotes little time to
active participation in political matters. January 16, 1867, he
married Miss Mary J. Hilliard, who was born in Ohio, December 3lv
1846, daughter of Martin E. and Lura A. (Sartwell) Hilliard,
natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Hilliard came to Windsor in 1850,
where Mr. Hilliard died in January, 1904, and his widow is still
living, seventy-nine years of age. Of their five children three are-
living. Mr. and Mrs. Farwell have had five children ; the oldest
daughter, Alice, and the next daughter, Ida May, attended the-
home schools and the latter died in 1895 ; Hartwell, the oldest son,
lives at home ; Estella is the wife of Ole Anderson ; Charles W,,
a graduate of the DeForest high school, married Miss Sadie Durkee
and has one daughter. Fern Luva. The family are members and
workers of the Congregational church. All have attended the home
schools.

John Fassbender, Jr., of Springfield, is an active factor in the
life of that community, having filled various offices of public trust
as town and village official. He was born in Springfield, October
21,- 1857, of German ancestry. His grandparents on both sides of
the family, — John and Margrett Fassbender, and John and Christ-
ina Nettekoven, — were born and died in Germany. In June, 1856,
John Fassbender, Sr., born in Germany August 15, 1824, came to
the town of Springfield. He was thirty- two years of age at the
time, and had been a soldier in the German army before seeking
his fortune in the new world. In December, 1856, Miss Veronia
Nettekoven also came from Germany to Springfield, and the fol-
lowing year, February 11, 1857, they were married. Mrs. Fass-
bender was nine years the junior of her husband, her birthday
occurring October 4, 1833. They made their home at Spring-
field, and the subject of this sketch was the oldest of eight child-

282 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

ren — three sons, John, Henry and Peter, and five daughters,
Christina, Maggie, Mary, Aggie and Anna, — who were born to
them. John Fassbender, Jr., was educated in the public school of
Springfield, and is an insurance agent by profession. A Demo-
crat politically, he has acceptably filled the positions of a notary
public, justice of the peace, town treasurer and town assessor. He
is a member of the Catholic church and is unmarried.

Dr. John Favill, perhaps the moat prominent of the early physi-
cians of Madison, Wis., was a native of Herkimer county, N. Y.,
and received his medical education at Harvard University. His
wife was Louisa Baird. a daughter of Henry S. Baird, of Green
Bay, one of the prominent pioneers of Wisconsin, the first attorney
general of Wisconsin, and president of the first council of the terri-
tory. Her mother, Elizabeth T. Baird, was descended from the
ruling chiefs of the Ottowa nation, with an admixture of French and
Scotch blood, and was a great-niece of President Monroe. Dr. Favill
came to Wisconsin in 1846, locating at Lake Mills, Jefferson
county, where he practiced two years ; in 1848 he moved to Madi-
son, which was his residence ever after. During his long life of
thirty-five years in Madison, he filled a large place in the commun-
ity, being admirably endowed both by education and natural
ability. He was lovingly called "Old »Dr. Favill" by all who knew
him, and had a character so pure and lofty, that he was readily
given first place in the hearts of his fellow townsmen. Dr.
Charles S. Sheldon of Madison writes : "He was independent and
liberal in his views, charitable in his judgments, generous and
unselfish ,to a fault, his friends and admirers were legion, and he
is still mourned in many households." His death occurred in
Madison, December 9, 1883. He is survived by three children,
Therese, Dr. Harry Baird, a prominent physician of Chicago, 111.,
and Eleanor, wife of Horace K. Tenney, a lawyer of Chicago. "

Carl J. G. Felland, secretary of the Stoughton Lumber Associa-
tion, was born in Pleasant Springs township, this county. Septem-
ber 28, 1857, being a son of Gunder (Gunderson) and Tone (Neve-
stedt) Felland, who came from Norway to America in 1846, be-
coming pioneers of Pleasant Springs township, Dane county, where
the father purchased eighty acres of government land, in section
25. He reclaimed this tract and subsequently added to the same
one hundred and twenty acres adjoining, developing one of the
valuable farms of this part of the county and continuing to reside
on the homestead until his death, which occurred July 24, 1887,
at which time he was seventy-one years of age. He secured his

BIOGRAPHICAL. 283

-naturalization papers under the name of Gunderson, but he later
adopted the surname of Felland as did also his brother. His wife
is still living. They reared a family of six children, namely: Guil-
der, Olaf. Ole. Elsa (widow of G. Gjorgensen), Carl J. G., and
Trena Serena (wife of Ole Sundbey). Carl J. G. Felland was
reared to the sturdy discipline of the homestead farm and after
securing a good preliminary training in the public schools of his
native township he entered Monona Academy, in the city of Madi-
son, where he continued his studies for some time. He thereafter
continued to be identified with the operation of the old home farm
until 1901, and he still owns the property. In the year mentioned
he .took up his residence in the city of Stoughton, where he has
since maintained his home. In August, 1900, the Stoughton Lum-
ber Association was organized and Mr. Felland was one of those
interested in the organization and incorporation of the concern,
of which he has been secretary since 1903. The company has ex-
cellent facilities and controls a large business. In politics he gives
his support to the Democratic party, and he and his wife are mem-
bers of the Lutheran church of Pleasant Springs. September 28.
1898, Mr. Felland was married to Miss Elsie Lee, daughter of
Ole H. and Marie (Trobaten) Lee, of Pleasant Springs township,
and the one child of this union is Gonard Andreas.

Gunder W. Felland, a farmer in the town of Pleasant Springs,
was born at Moe, Telemarken, Norway, April 2-4. 1843. His par-
ents, Wetley and Astrid (Reinen) Gunderson, were both natives
•of that place. They were married in 1839 and the father followed
farming in his native country until 1846, when, with his wife, and
two of his brothers, Gunder and Ole. he came to America. The
voyage was made in the brig "Washington," a sailing vessel, and
they were nine weeks and two days on the water. They landed
at New York, went from there to Buffalo by way of the canal, and
then by steamer to Milwaukee. There they got a team and came
to' the town of Pleasant Springs. Together the three brothers ob-
tained one hundred and twenty acres of land, put up a log cabin
and began making a home. In 1855 Wetley Gunderson pre-empted
forty acres of government land and later bought eighty acres more,
and lived on this farm until his death, which occurred in 1899
He was a Democrat in his political faith and in church matters
was a Lutheran, being one of the founders of the West Lutheran
-church. His wife died in 1897. Of their eight children five are
still living. They are Andrew, a farmer in the town of Burke;
Martin, living in Worth county, la. ; Ingeborg, living at Rothsay.

284 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Minn.; Elsie, at Stoughton, and Gunder W., the subject of this
sketch. Mr. Felland received only three months schooling, in the
common schools, the greater part of his education having been ac-
quired by self study. In his youth he learned the blacksmith's
trade and worked as it for several years. In 1869 and again in
1872 he visited different parts of Iowa, looking for a location, and
after that lived with his parents, taking care of them in the declin-
ing years. He now owns one hundred and twenty-five acres of
good land, upon which he carries on a general farming business,
giving considerable attention to stock raising and dairying. Al-
though a Democrat in his political views he is by no means an
active politician. He is a member of the West Lutheran church,
in the town of Pleasant Springs, and has always been active in
church work. On June 21, 1880, he married Emma C. Larsen,
whose parents. Andrew and Jeannette (Everson) Larsen, were na-
tives of Christiana, Norway, but came to the United States in 1867
and settled at Stoughton. where the mother died in 1875. Mr. and
Mrs. Felland have six children. Jeannette S. and Marie A. are now
attending the Albion academy ; William A., Olaf E., Lydia A., and
Clara G., are attending the home schools.

George H. Fett, secretary of the Menges Pharmacy company of
Madison, and manager of the University avenue pharmacy of that
firm, was born in Madison, February 23, 1876. He is a son of
George and Katherine Fett, the former born in Prussia, November
5, 1839. and the latter in Alzey, Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, Au-
gust 29, 1841. The father enlisted February 13, 1864. in Company
C, Fourth United States Infantry. With his regiment he partici-
pated in the engagements of the Wilderness, May 6 and 7, 1864,
Spottsylvania Court-house, May 12 to 19. inclusive, North Anna
river, May 24, Harris Court-house, June 2. Cold Harbor, June 7,.
and Petersburg, June 17 to 20. The regiment was also present at
Appomattox when Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered. Mr. Fett en-
tered the service as a private, and when he was mustered out on
February 13, 1867, had risen to the rank of corporal. George H.
Fett received his preparatory education in the public schools of
Madison. On September 13. 1891, he entered the drug business as
an apprentice for Wilson & Fox, with whom he remained a year.
He then became an employe of A. F. Menges, with whom he has
since remained. In 1893 he successfully passed the examination
for assistant pharmacist given by the state board of pharmacy and
three years later was given a certificate as pharmacist by the same
board. In politics Mr. Fett belongs to the Republican party and

BIOGRAPHICAL. 285

his religious affiliations are with the German Methodist church.
He is identified as a member of the Wisconsin Pharmaceutical
Association ; Henry Harnden camp, Sons of Veterans ; and Madi-
son Lodge, No. 410, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks. He is recognized as a young man of principle and character
and one of the ablest of the younger generation of Madison busi-
ness men.

Joseph F. Fiebiger owns and operates a large farm in Medina
township. His father, Joseph Fiebiger, was a native of Bohemia
and spent his life in Germany. Joseph Fiebiger. Si\, married Miss
Francis Blaha, a native of Moravia. Joseph Fiebiger, Jr.. was
born in Bohemia, September 14, 1846, spent his boyhood at the
parental home but early decided to try his fortune in the west and
came to America in 1867. His first home in America was in
Jefferson county, Wisconsin, and he managed a hardware store in
Jefferson, Jefferson county, for a period of fourteen years. He then
located in Dane county and obtained one hundred and fifty-five
acres of farm land which he improved and farmed and made his per-
manent residence. On this property in Medina Mr. Fiebiger carries
on a general farming business and raises a large amount of stock.
He is a Democrat and much interested in local affairs, particularly
those pertaining to schools. For six years he was a school director
of the Medina free high school and was also for four years the
town assessor. In 1872, he married Miss Johanna Hebl who was
born in Waterloo, Jefferson county, Wis., August 3, 1854, and is
a daughter of John Hebl, whose life appears elsewhere in this
work. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fiebiger, all of
whom received the benefit of education in the Medina free high
school, whose interests their father had labored to promote.
George John, the oldest, afterward studied medicine and is a prac-
ticing physician of Waterloo, Wis. The younger children. Anna,
Eddie, Elinor and Lydia, remain at home. Elinor and Lydia are
students at the high school. The family are members of the
Roman Catholic church of Waterloo.

William E. Fincher, a prosperous young farmer of Oregon, is a
Pennsylvanian by birth. Both he and his parents, Joseph and
Dorothy (Losh) Fincher, were natives of Lycoming county. Pa.
His father and two brothers served in the Civil War; his father,
who was a farmer and horse dealer, died when he was eight years
old and his mother the following year, both in Pennsylvania, leav-
ing a family of six children, Margaret, (Mrs. Waltz, deceased) ;
Sarah, (Mrs. Day), of Pennsylvania; Clara, (Mrs. Fry), of Will-

286 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

iamsport ; William E., the subject of this sketch; Frank, of Oregon;-.
Catherine, of Oregon. All the children were born and educated in
Pennsylvania and lived there until they reached maturity. Mr.
Fincher was thrown upon his own resources at an early age, and'
began taking care of himself when he was only fifteen years old..
He followed various occupations but principally the care of trot-
ting horses; at one time he had a retail milk-route. In 1897, when
he was twenty-three years old. — he was born January 2, 1874, —
he came to Oregon, Dane county and began farming; he bought a
farm of one hundred acres upon which he has rebuilt the fences,
and made other improvements, and which is run for general agri-
cultural purposes. Two years after coming to Oregon he married
Miss Laura Williamson, daughter of John and Phoebe (Bethel)
Williamson, of Oregon township, who was born in the same place.
They have one child, Raymond Franklin, born on the home farm
Mr. Fincher is a Republican, and although comparatively a new
comer, — among the native born and the pioneers of the fifties, — has.
entered heartily into the life of his chosen home, serving on the
school board and winning the esteem of the community by his.
friendly spirit and neighborly offices.

James E. Fisher, deceased, was during life one of the most widely
known and highly respected citizens of the city of Madison, in
which he had his residence during all of a long and honorable
career. He was descended from good old Anglo-Saxon stock and
had his nativity in the country which has been in the van of civili-
zation and progress for centuries. Mr. Fisher was born in Not-
tingham, England, November 2, 1836, and was the son of Edward'
and Charlotte (Dutton) Fisher, the father having been born and
reared in Wrales. While a young man Edward Fisher moved to
Nottingham, England, and engaged in the manufacture of lace, in
which he was very successful, and he continued in that business-
until 1845, when he came to America and located at Madison, the
embryonic capital of the future state of Wisconsin. About 1847
he returned to England and remained two years, when he again
made the journey to America, accompanied by his only son, whose
name introduces this review. They embarked at Liverpool on the
sailing vessel "Plymouth Rock" and landed at Boston thirty-five-
days later. From that city the father and son made their way via
railway to Buffalo, and thence on the lakes to Milwaukee, from
whence they came by team to Madison. At that time the capital
city was a very small village and not a line of railroad was in the
state of Wisconsin, and the greater part of the commonwealth was.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 287

uninhabited except by the Indians. There were no convenient
markets and produce was very cheap, the inevitable consequence
of a scarcity of money. But the elder Mr. Fisher had brought
some money with him, and he engaged very profitably in the busi-
ness of loaning the same to those who were more unfortunate than
he. He also purchased considerable land which is now incorpor-
ated in the city of Madison, and he it was who planted those trees,
whose widespreading branches now furnish such convenient
shade on Mifflin and Webster streets. Mr. Fisher continued to
reside in Madson until his death in 1852. The maiden name of the
mother of James E. Fisher was Charlotte Dutton, and she was
a native of the same city as was her husband. She was loth to
leave the land of her birth, and upon the migration of her husband
and son to America she remained in England until 1857, when
she was induced to make the journey hither through the earnest
solicitation of her son. She died in Madison in 1885, having reared
three children : Angelina, James E. and Anna, the son being the
one to whom this memoir is especially dedicated. As has been
stated, our subject was the only son, and he received his early
education in the schools of Nottingham, his native city, and after
coming to America he supplemented the knowledge he had secured
by attending the public school of Madison for some time. After
the death of his father he left school to learn the trade of cabinet-
maker, serving a three-years' apprenticeship, and then after work-
ing as a journeyman one year, in 1857 he engaged in business for
himself, becoming the senior member of the firm of Fisher, Bab-
cock and Reynolds. This parnership continued until 1872. when
Mr. Fisher purchased the interest of the other members of the firm
and became the sole proprietor. His establishment was conceded
to be the leading one of the kind in Madison, and he continued in
business until the date of his death, February 14, 1896. his mercan-
tile career continuing over a period of thirty-nine years, exceeding
that of any other merchant in the city, with possibly one exception.
He was located during all of this time at the corner of Pinckney
and Clymer streets, and during the later years carried on his flour-
ishing business in a magnificent brick structure, three stories
high, which was erected under his personal supervision. Mr.
Fisher was a member of the Episcopal church, and was active and
influential in all matters pertaining to the public good. In politics
he gave an unswerving allegiance to the principles of the Repub-
lican party, and although he never sought political distinction or
office, he was recognized as a leader in public affairs, being in a

288 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

large measure for many years ''the power behind the throne". For
seventeen years he was officially connected with the city fire-de-
partment, and for many years was treasurer of the St. George
Society, being one of its charter members at its incorporation in
1856. He was a great lover of out-door sports and was captain of
the Capital City base ball club in 1868. He was the local leader
all those who delighted in the dog and gun, and was the origi-
nator of the renowned hunting-boat, "Solid Comfort," which cost,
when furnished, $2,400, and contained all the appliances for hunt-
ing and fishing, combined with the comforts of home life. One
possessing the attributes with which he was so richly endowed
must always win friends, and in the case of Mr. Fisher they were
as numerous as his acquaintances. To sum up his good qualities,
in the language of one who knew him well, he was "a genial,
public-spirited man, and a capable and popular citizen." Mr.
Fisher was married on December 31, 1885, to Mrs. Mary (Groes-
beck) Rundle, a native of the state of New York and the daughter
of Chester and Lorena (Deveaux) Groesbeck. One child was born
to his union, Edward J., who resides with his mother and attends
school in Madison. — a worthy son of an honored parentage.

William P. Fisher, of Middleton, is a native of Ireland, but
coming to America with his parents at the age of five years, he has
practically known no other than the home of his adoption. He
was born August 4, 1844. His parents, John and Margaret (Mc
Laughlin) Fisher, were both born in Ireland, the former in 1792
and the latter in 1798. They came to New Jersey in 1849 and
the following year to Racine, which was their home for s:x years.
In 1856 they removed to Dane, living in the town of Berry for thir-
teen years, when the last change of home was made to Springfield,
where Mr. Fisher died in 1890, at the extreme old age of ninety-
eight years. Although his wife was six years his junior and passed
away some years earlier yet even then she passed, by over half a
decade, the allotted "four score." They had two children,
William P., the subject of this sketch, and Bernard P.; a resident
of the town of Fitchburg. Mr. Fisher received his early education
in the common school, and supplemented that by academic studies
in Prof. George's seminary. Madison. He reached his majority
the closing year of the Civil War but the previous year had enlisted
as a private in Company G, of the Forty-ninth Regiment. He was
mustered out at Madison in November, 1865. At the close of the
war he entered upon his active life as a farmer and has continued
in that occupation to the present time. His home farm in Spring-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 289

field consists of one hundred and sixty acres, and he also owns a
farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Dane. In politics he is
independent, and he and his family are members of the Catholic
church. January 15, 1872, he was united in marriage to Miss Jane
Glennan, in Fitchburg township, Dane county, by whom he had ten
children ; Mary Ann, of Evansville ; John Edward, Margaret, Jane,
Kate. William, Rose, Francis, Daniel and Ellen, all living. Mrs.
Jane (Glennan) Fisher was the daughter of Edward and Ellen
(Madden) Glennan. both natives of Ireland, his birth-year being
1821 and hers 1812. They came to Philadelphia in 1847, and lived
there ten years. During the subsequent years they made their
home successively in Madison (1858), Blooming Grove (1864),
Springfield (1870), and lastly in Fitchburg, their present home.
They had six children. Mr Glennan is politically affiliated with
the Democratic party, and he and his family belong to the Catholic
church.

John P. Fladtland of Christiania township is a well-known
farmer of that community, where he has lived for many years.
He has a fine farm with modern buildings which he has erected
and carries on a general farming and stock-raising business. In
1897 the new dwelling was built at a cost of $3,500 and a large
new barn and tobacco shed complete the group of new buildings.
Born in Sogan, Norway, June 19, 1853, Mr. Fladtland came to
Wisconsin with his parents, Peter Stdge and Anna (Olson) Stdge
in 1856. Peter was a gardener in Stdge, Norway, and there worked
for sixteen years in one place. He determined, however, to attempt
to better his fortunes in the west and accordingly took passage with
his wife and six children in a sailing vessel. They landed in Que-
bec after eight or ten weeks and then continued their journey to
Stoughton. Wis., finally obtaining a farm in the town of Dunkirk,
Dane county. Seven years were spent in this locality and then
Mr. Stdge purchased a farm in section 23. town of Christiania.
This farm consisted of eighty acres of wild prairie land, which Mr.
Stdge improved, adding buildings as needed. Mrs. Stdge died in
1892 and after her death her husband went to Douglas, county,
Minn, where he died in 1896. Six children were born to them; Bet-
sey, the eldest daughter, is Mrs. Nels Hanson of Dodge county,
Minn. ; John P. is the oldest son ; Sina married Herman Shelkiope
of Stoughton ; Ole resides in Mannon. Ward county. N. D. ; Hattie
is Mrs. Arnt Hendrickson of Minneapolis ; Peter died aged eleven
years. John P. attended the Rockdale schools and assisted his
father with the work on the farm. He learned the carpenter's
19— iii

290 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

trade and was also for a short time engaged in threshing but most
of his life has been spent in farming. In October, 1880, he married
Miss Mary Johnson, a native of Norway, daughter of John and
Betsey (Larson) Johnson, who were farmers in Norway and came
to the United States in 1871. They resided in Edgerton and after-
ward in Christiania and now live in Baker county, Minn. Of their
seven children, all but the oldest daughter, Julia, are living. Mrs.
Fladtland is the oldest living daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Fladtland
have five children ; Alfred, a prosperous farmer of Ward county,
N. Dak. ; Nordel, Henry, Florence and Letta, who reside with their
parents. All have attended the Rockdale schools and are members
of the Lutheran church. Mr. Fladtland is a Democrat but has
never taken an active part in political matters.

Joseph E. Flanagan, an intelligent, energetic and exceedingly
popular young farmer of the town of Oregon, is the son of worthy
Irish immigrants, who was born in the city of Stoughon, Dane
county, on January 17, 1871. His parents were Martin F. and
Sarah (Cunningham) Flanagan, both of whom were natives of the
Emerald Isle, the father being born at Galway, November 9, 1823,
and the mother at Sligo, June 24, 1832. Tradition has it that the
founder of the Flanagan family in Ireland was a Spanish officer
who was taken prisoner at the time of the victory of the English
over the Spanish "forces in the latter part of the sixteenth century.
This officer is believed to have drifted to Galway, Ireland, where he
took the name of Flanagan, married and became the head of the
Irish family of that name. Martin Flanagan migrated to the
United States from Canada in 1863, and coming to Wisconsin
first located at Stoughton, Dane county, where he worked during
the harvest time of that year for Luke Stoughton, the founder of
the city that bears his name. Mr. Flanagan was then employed by
the Chi. & N. W. Railroad Company on construction work, while
that road was being completed into Madison, and he remained in
the employ of that railroad company three years. He then took up
his residence in Stoughton and was employed there as a construc-
tion foreman for twenty years, after which he sold his home there
and purchased the farm in the town of Oregon, where his
son, the subject of this review now resides. When Mr. Flanagan
first came to Stoughton, the site where the city now stands had
only a mere cluster of small "shacks," rude dwellings of the hardy
pioneers of that locality. Oxen hitched to home-made wagons —
predecessors of the twentieth century automobile — were the means
of conveyance and transportation in that day, and the farmers cut

BIOGRAPHICAL. 291

their grain with the cradle and threshed it with the flail. While
a small boy in his native land, Mr. Flanagan took the temperance
pledge from the Father Matthew .and during his life was consist-
ently opposed to the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage.
Though never a radical political Prohibitionist, he always thought
it best to leave liquor alone, as he frequently saw the effects of its
baneful influence. Although the parents of his wife resided at
Dunham Flats, Canada, Mr. Flanagan and his wife were married
at White Hall, N. Y., in February, 1855, and for forty-five years
they traveled the path of life together, the wife dying on December
24, 1900, and the husband on September 27, 1903. Five children
were born to them, the names of and other facts concerning whom
are given as follows: Mary A. is deceased; Simon married Miss Kit-
tie Fitzgibbons, of Monroe, Wis., and now resides in Kansas City,
Mo. ; John M. married Miss Alice Lawler and resides in the town of
Dunn, Dane county; Joseph E. is the subject of this review, and
Katie resides with the latter on the old homestead. Joseph E. Flan-
agan was educated in the high school of the city of Stoughton, and
remained at home during the most of the time until the death of his
parents, and during the winters of 1891-2-3 he taught in the dis-
trict schools. He and his sister, Katie, recently purchased the
interest of the other heirs in the old homstead and live thereon.
Mr. Flanagan is a Democrat in his political belief and is a member
of the Catholic church in the village of Oregon.

O. F. Flint is one of the highly respected citizens of the village
of Oregon, where he has resided since 1904. but his residence in
Dane county dates back to the days of his boyhood. He was born
in the state of Maine, his parents "being James M. and Sarah (Gore)
Flint, both of whom were also natives of the Pine Tree state, the
respective families of each being long resident there. Farlin Flint,
the father of James M., was one of the earliest settlers of what is
now the town of Rutland, Dane county, where he took up two
hundred acres of government land and upon the same lived until
he was eighty years of age and then went to New Hampshire
where he died, aged eighty-four years. James M. Flint also mi-
grated from his Eastern home, and coming to Dane county in 1858,
settled in Rutland and pursued the life of a farmer until his death,
himself and wife having both passed away several years ago.
After reaching manhood in Maine, and until his removal to Wis-
cconsin, he conducted a saw and shingle mill in his native state.
O. F. Flint, whose name introduces this memoir, was born, April 7,
1848, and hence was but ten years old when his parents came to

292 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

what was then "the far west." He received his education in the
Flint school in the town of Rutland, and assisted his father on the
home farm until he had reached the age of twenty-seven years.
He then purchased a farm for himself and followed agricultural pur-
suits incessantly and with good success until 1904, when he sold
his farm and moved to the village of Oregon, where a fine home and
six acres of land affords him the respite he desires and a reasonable
amount of activity in gardening. Mr. Flint is a pronounced Pro-
hibitionist in his political views, and while living in the town of
Rutland served as a school official for a number of years. He was
married on February 19, 1879, to Miss Sarah J. Carrison, a native
of England, who came to the United States with her parents when
but eight years old. She is a member of the Free Baptist church
in the town of Rutland. Mr. and Mrs. Flint have no children.
Mrs. Flint's parents, George Carrison and wife, are honored citi-
zens of the village of Oregon, having been residents of Dane county
since 1867, and her paternal grandfather had lived here for more
than fifty years prior to his death.

Arthur O. Fox, of Madison, was born on his father's farm in
the town of Fitchburg, Dane county ,Wisconsin, November 2, 1855.
He was a son of Dr. William H. Fox, one of the pioneers of the
state, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this work. Arthur
was educated in the common school of his home district, a private
school at Detroit, Michigan, and the University of Wisconsin,
spending three years in the last named institution. He began his
business career in the accounting department of the Michigan Cen-
tral Railroad, at Detroit, and while in this position became inter-
ested in the live stock traffic between Canada and the United States
to such an extent that he determined to become a stock importer and
breeder. Accordingly returning to Wisconsin, he bought a tract
of land adjoining his father's farm and commenced sheep-breeding
and importing. This business proved eminently successful and
developed much beyond his expectations so that within twenty
years, he had become the largest breeder of pure-bred, pedigreed,
mutton sheep in the United States and had accumulated a tract of
farming lands, approximating one thousand acres, adjoining and
including the old family homestead. In the early nineties, Mr.
Fox also became interested in various other real estate operations
and as the city of Madison offered special advantages for the pur-
suit of this business, as well as for the education of his several child-
ren, he removed in 1895 to the capital city. Here he soon became
identified with some of the leading manufacturing and banking

BIOGRAPHICAL. 293

institutions of the city. His recognized business judgment and
foresight caused his associates to confer on him positions of trust
and responsibility. Among the various enterprises with which he
has been identified is the Northern Electrical Manufacturing Com-
pany, which was formed at Madison in 1895 for the purpose of man-
ufacturing electrical machinery. He was chosen at the beginning
to take the general management of its affairs and under his direc-
tion the plant was built and equipped. This company has grown
from nothing in 1895 to one of the largest and most prosperous
manufacturing institutions in the West, its products going all over
the world, and its sales amounting to a million dollars annually. In
1903 the position of president of the company was bestowed upon
Mr. Fox in addition to that of general manager, both of which
positions he now holds. The growth and prosperity of this insti-
tution has been an important factor in the upbuilding of the east-
ern part of the city of Madison. It is of especial interest to note
that Mr. Fox was one of the first to recognize the importance of the
introduction of the uses of electricity and electrical machinery on
farms. Some of the first electrical equipments installed on farms in
the United States were made and installed by the Northern Com-
pany in 1898, under his direction, and the success of these has led
to the quite general introduction of the use of electricity on farms.
Mr. Fox says that within ten years, plows and other farm imple-
ments will be very generally propelled by electricity instead of
being drawn by horses. Upon the death of his father, Mr. Fox
acquired and still owns the old homestead farm which his father
bought from the government in 1841 and 1842, to which much has
since been added. In 1882. Mr. Fox was married to Miss Anna
Williams, daughter of Chauncey L. Williams of Madison. To
them were born seven children as follows : Morris F., Cornelia
Lillian, Annie Myra, Katherine, Neill W., Lucia and Helen.
All except Helen, who died at the age of five years, are now living.
The oldest son Morris, is now associated with his father in business.
Joseph Grierson Fox, of Oregon, was born in Suntown, Ireland,
about fifty miles from Dublin, April 12, 1822. His parents were
William and Eleanor (Lynn) Fox, both natives of Ireland. His
father was a merchant of Dublin, but after coming to the United
States, he took up the occupation of farming, settling in La Grange,
Ind.. which remained his home. Joseph Fox was one of a family of
ten children, six brothers and four sisters, and was about eleven
years of age when he accompanied his parents to this country. In
1844, then a young man of twenty-two, he came to Dane county and

294 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

took up one hundred and sixty acres of government land in the town
of Oregon. To this he added from time to time until he had a fine
farm of three hundred and fifty-five acres of improved land which
was devoted mostly to the raising of Belgian horses. Mr. Fox
affiliated with the Presbyterian church and in politics with the
Democratic party ; he served as the register of deeds of Dane county.
He was twice married ; his first wife, whom he married June 22,
1845, was Miss Mary Lalor, daughter of Patrick Lalor, of Tena-
kill, Queens county, Ireland. By her he had four children, George
Fox, M. D., of Janesville ; Anna Catherine, (deceased); Eleanor,
now Mrs. Wm. Kiser, of Mena, Ark.; Joseph Patrick, (deceased).
Mrs. Fox died August, 30, 1850. On May 24, 1855, Mr. Fox
married Harriet Lucinda, — daughter of Christian Adamson, Esq.,
of Ballinlack, Ireland, — who died February 24, 1895. They had
one son, J. H. Fox, who was born May 20, 1856, and who married,
June 16, 1886, Ida, daughter of John O. Kiser, Esq., of Fitchburg
township ; they have one daughter, Carrie Dora, born November
30, 1890. All of the children and the grandchild of Mr. J. G. Fox
were born in the town of Oregon. J. H. Fox is a member of the
Modern Woodmen of Oregon, and his father was a Mason. The
latter died June 17, 1906.

Jacob P. Fox is the owner of a farm in Dane county and is a
well-known member of the community. Conrad and Catherine
(Smith) Fox, his parents, came from Germany, where Mr. Fox
was born in 1813 and his wife in 1818. Their home was in Water-
loo township, Jefferson county, where they obtained an eighty acre
farm, which has since been the home of the family. Here Mr.
Fox died in 1874 and his wife in September, 1902. Or their twelve
sons and daughters, but five are living. The family attended the
Lutheran church. Jacob P. Fox was born April 1, 1861, at Water-
loo, Jefferson county, Wisconsin. He attended the district school
but was early obliged to make his own way ; he worked out upon
farms in the neighborhood and was employed by Orson Carskaden
for seven years. In 1894, he purchased the eighty-acre farm.which
is his present residence and which he has improved and equipped
in many ways. He raises short-horned cattle and Poland China
hogs and also various kinds of farm produce. With no assistance,
by his own energy and thrift he has made for himself a prosper-
ous and comfortable home. He is a member of the Republican
party but devotes himself to his business rather than to active
participation in politics. September 14, 1886, he married Laura L.
(Carskaden) Fox, daughter of Orson Carskaden of York and

BIOGRAPHICAL. 295

widow of Conrad Fox, brother of Jacob P. Fox. Conrad Fox died
in 1881, leaving two children ; George O., who married Miss Odelia
Dobbelstein and Charles C. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Fox have one
son, Earl J., who was born November 3, 1894. The family is
identified with the Methodist Episcopal church.

Philip Fox, M. D., of Madison, belongs to a family noted as
among the pioneer families of Dane county, and also for the num-
ber of its members that have devoted themselves to the medical
profession. The family comes from Moat-a-Granough, County
Westmeath, Ireland, and the original form of the name is
An Sionnach, Fox being the Anglicized form. The history of the
family in America already covers four generations, the first being
Rev. William Fox. who with his wife, Eleanor (Lynn) Fox and
six children came to America in 1834 and made their home, first in
Tecumsah, Michigan, and soon after in La Grange county, Indiana.
They had been preceded by their second son, William H. Fox, who
came to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1833, being at that time nineteen years
of age. In 1839 he joined his family in La Grange county and
soon after began the practice of medicine at Lima, in that county.
In the autumn of 1842 the two brothers, Dr. William H. and
George, aged respectively twenty-eight and twenty-two years,
left La Grange county and drove across the country to Chicago
and then continued their journey through the forests and oak open-
ings of southeastern Wisconsin, passing through the frontier vil-
lages of Janesville and Delavan and located in the town of Fitch-
burg, Dane county, both entering land in section 35. George en-
tered one hundred and twenty acres at the land office in Milwaukee,
and then returned to Indiana and spent the winter in Michigan
City, La Porte county ; but in the following spring in company
with his wife and two children returned to make a permanent set-
tlement. He built a log-house, sixteen by thirteen feet, which was
the family home for thirteen years and the temporary home of
other relatives who soon followed these pioneers. The wife of
George Fox, whom he married in Indiana, was Catherine Keenan,
a native of King's County, Ireland, who came to the United States
in 1838. They had six children, of whom two sons, Philip, of
Madison, — the subject of this sketch, — born at Lima, Indiana.
March 27, 1840, — and William of Milwaukee, were physicians, and
one daughter, Ellen, married a physician, (Dr. Wilson). Their
other children were Maria, (Mrs. Capt. Gerraughty) ; Katie, (Mrs.
G. Barry) ; and Addie, (Mrs. D. E. Kiser). Upon the farm, re-
claimed from the wilderness and afterward increased to three hun-

296 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

dred and twenty acres, and upon which, in 1856, a substantial stone
house was built. Dr. Philip Fox spent his boyhood, and that con-
tinued to be his home until 1870. His school life, after passing
through the primitive training of the district schools was spent at
Sinsinawa Mound, Wisconsin, and his medical training was obtained
at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, from which he was graduated
in March, 1863. In December of the same year he entered the army
as assistant surgeon of the Second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry,
and remained in service until July, 1864, when he was mustered out,
and returned to Wisconsin and began his private practice in com-
pany with his uncle. Dr William H. Fox of Fitchburg. In 1870, he
removed to Janesville. where he remained for six years, and then
located in Madison where he has remained until the present time.
He was married in Madison, in September, 1866, to Miss Anna
Reynolds, by whom he has had four children, Philip R., Anna K.,
Mary J., and George W. The two sons are also physicians ;
Philip R., usually known as "Dr Rodney", was born in Fitchburg
township, June 23, 1867. He was educated in the schools of Madi-
son. Prairie du Chien and Watertown, and studied medicine at
Rush Medical College, Chicago, and was graduated from that
school in 1890. Following graduation he spent a year and a half
as interne in the Presbyterian Hospital of Chicago, and has since
been associated with his father in the practice of medicine in the
city of Madison. The younger son, George W., was born in
Janesville, January 30, 1875. He was educated at the University
of Wisconsin and Rush Medical College, and was graduated from
the latter in 1897. He also entered the Presbyterian Hospital as
interne and remained there until October, 1899. The following
year he located in Milwaukee, where he is practicing at the present
time. Beside his private practice he is the attending surgeon and
secretary of staff of St. Mary's Hospital, attending surgeon of the
Emergency Hospital and surgeon for the Wisconsin Central
Railroad. He is a Republican and a member of the Roman Catho-
lic church. He also belongs to the Phi Delta Theta, the Milwau-
kee Yacht Club, the Milwaukee Medical Society, the Milwaukee
County Medical Society, the Wisconsin Medical Society and the
American Medical Association. The members of the medical
fraternity in the Fox family have held and still hold a high
rank as physicians and surgeons, and the older men, especially,
have been of great service to the profession as consulting physi-
cians.

Dr. Wm. H. Fox.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 297

Philip R. Fox, M. D., is one of the leading physicians of the city
of Madison, and he has attained to this enviable position as a
lesnlt of a thorough technical education, close and careful atten-
tion to his professional duties, and the further practice of keeping
up-to-date in all things pertaining to the science of medicine and
surgery. He is another of the Dane county boys who have re-
flected credit upon her citizenship and institutions, and his suc-
cessful career is gratifying to a host of warm personal friends. Dr.
Fox was born in the town of Fitchburg. Dane county, June 23,
1867, and is one of four children born to Philip and Anna E. (Rey-
nolds) Fox, a more extended mention of whom is given on another
page of this volume. Philip R. Fox received his preliminary educa-
tion in the district schools of his native town and in the Catholic
parochial school at Madison, supplementing the knowledge thus
gained by a course in the Jesuit college at Prairie du Chien and at
Sacred Heart college in Watertown, Wis. Having thus completed
his literary education he entered Rush Medical College at Chicago,
and was graduated from that institution with the class of 1890.. For
the eighteen months following the completion of his professional
course- of studies he was an interne in the Presbyterian Hospital at
Chicago, and on March 15, 1893, began the regular practice at Madi-
son. He devotes himself to the general practice of medicine and to
surgery, and his ability is recognized by employment as the district
surgeon for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company, to the
duties of which he attends in addition to his general practice.
Dr. Fox is a Democrat in his political views, but has never al-
lowed a craving for office to interfere with the duties of his chosen
profession. His religious faith is expressed by membership in the
Catholic church, and his fraternal relations are with the patriotic
order known as the Loyal Legion. Dr. Fox was married on
October 18, 1902, to Miss Katherine Brigham, a native of Milwau-
kee, and to this union one child has been born, Anna, born in Madi-
son, January 13, 1904.

William H. Fox, M. D„ deceased, was one of the pioneers of
Dane county, and for many years one of its most popular physi-
cians. He was born at Moate-a-Granough in the county of West-
meat, Ireland. September, 1814, his parents being, William and
Eleanor (Lynn) Fox. The original family name was O'Cathar-
naigh. This family originally owned the major part of the county
of Westmeath and a part of the barony of Kilcoursey in King's
County, Ireland. About 1185 A. D. because of some deed of valor
in war by one of the O'Catharnaigh lords he was called "An Sion-

298 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

nach," (The Fox,) thereafter all of his descendants to the present
have borne the name "Fox." Galtrim Castle, now the property
of Hubert Fox, Esquire, still stands just outside of Dublin, the last
remaining monument of this old family name and estate in Ire-
land. Upon one of the walls of this old castle still hangs an old oil
painting representing Queen Elizabeth in the act of re-granting
certain tracts of land to Matthew Fox and his four sons, James,
John, Joseph and William, and conferring on the eldest the title of
Lord of Kilcoursey. In the painting stands the Queen with parch-
ment in hand, the Earl of Leicester near her and the five Foxes
standing in front of them. Copies of this picture were made some
twenty years ago by Melville E. Stone of Chicago, (now general
manager of the associated press) a relative of the Foxes, then trav-
eling in Europe. Several of these copies are now in the hands of
A. O. Fox, Philip Fox and other survivors of the family. Dr.
Fox received his early education at the hands of private tutors in
his native country and at the age of nineteen years came to America,
(1833), locating at Cleveland, Ohio. There he remained for about
six years, during which time he acquired a medical education and
then, in 1839, removed to Lima, Ind. There he began the practice
of his profession and followed it until the fall of 1841, when he
made a visit to Wisconsin. Being favorably impressed with the
country south of Madison he went to the Milwaukee land office
and entered a farm in the township of Fitchburg, one and a half
miles north of the village of Oregon. The following spring he
brought his family to the farm, which was then on the frontier, and
commenced improving it. Several brothers and sisters of the doc-
tor came to Wisconsin about the same time, locating in the vicin-
ity. All were blest with many children and the Fox settlement
became famous in pioneer days for the generous hospitality of this
large family. From a very early day down to the present time
this family has been closely identified with the progress of Dane
county. In 1842, Doctor Fox built upon his farm and furnished
a log house in which his Wisconsin housekeeping then began.
Although this log house consisted of but two rooms, no wayfarer
ever knocked at the doctor's door without receiving a generous
welcome and being told that there was plenty of room for him
to pass the night. The old farm above alluded to has been kept
in the family and now belongs to his son, Arthur O. Fox. As a
physician. Dr. Fox, bore a high reputation and was widely known
and respected. The hardships and exposures of his early pioneer
life had developed in him a ruggedness peculiar to the frontier, yet

BIOGRAPHICAL. 299

lie possessed a child's gentleness of nature and his heart responded
quickly in sympathy to those in distress. He possessed to a great
■extent that peculiar imagination common to the Celtic race which
enabled him to find beauty and simplicity in the very wildness and
ruggedness of things about him and caused him to prefer always
the environments of a country farm home to those of city life. As
lie gradually accumulated lands they were always well handled so
that, added to his reputation as a physician and surgeon, he also
was widely known as one of the representative and successful far-
mers of the state, and his large lawn of great rugged burr oaks be-
came a land mark for miles around and still stands preserved just
as he found it in 1841 when he saw it for the first time in posses-
sion of wild deer. His wife was Cornelia Raymond Averill of New
York state. They were married in December, 1841, and moved to
Wisconsin in the spring of the following year. Mrs. Fox was of
New England parentage and a direct descendant of Col. Benjamin
Simonds a prominent Revolutionary leader of Williamstown,
Mass. She died in April, 1864. To. Dr. and Mrs. Fox were born
four daughters and a son. The second daughter, Adeline, died un-
married when twenty-one years of age. The others still survive and
are as follows, Catherine (Mrs. C. F. Adamson), of Madison;
Anna (Mrs. Wm. F. Vilas), of Madison; Lucia (Mrs. John M.
Byrne), of Kansas City, and Arthur O. Fox of Madison. Doctor
Fox was a member of the convention in 1847 which adopted the con-
stitution of the state of Wisconsin. He was always alert in public
affairs and always favored any movement having for its object the
advancement of public interests. He died upon his farm near Ore-
gon, Wisconsin, in October, 1883. and his body now lies in the Ore-
gon cemetery overlooking the old farm which he chose in pioneer
days, it being his expressed wrish that this should be his last resting
place.

Prof. David B. Frankenburger, A. M., LL. B., deceased, for many
years at the head of the department of oratory and rhetoric in the
University of Wisconsin, was born in Edinburg, Lawrence county,
Pennsylvania, October 13, 1845, the son of Lewis and Elizabeth
(Kale) Frankenburger. The father was a native of Virginia and
the mother of Columbiana county, Ohio. Professor Frankenburger's
ancestors were landowners of North Germany, and the paternal
grandfather came to America in 1760 whi'e ttill a youth, and during
the American struggle for independence was a soldier of the Conti-
nental army. The original Frankenburger home in the United
States was near the boundary line of three states, Virginia, Mary-

300 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

land and Pennsylvania and the name for many years was a familiar
one in the Old Dominion and the Keystone state. Intermarriage
with the best of French, Irish and Scotch stock has mingled with
the original German blood of the family until kinship with a bet-
ter part of the world may readily be established. Lewis Franken-
burger was a merchant in Pennsylvania until 1855 when he removed
to Green county. Wis., to engage in farming. Later he removed
to Butler county, la., where he also followed agricultural pursuits.
Prof. Frankenburger, the youngest of the four children in the fam-
ily, was but ten years of age when he came to Wisconsin with his
parents. For nine years he helped with the farm work in the sum-
mer and in winter attended the district schools. The preparation
for a collegiate course was received at Milton academy and at the
age of twenty-one years Prof. Frankenburger entered the Univer-
sity of Wisconsin, which institution in 1869 conferred upon him the
degree of P>achelor of Philosophy. The following two years were
spent in the study of law in the law department of the Uni-
versity, and in 1871. after receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws
he entered upon a professional career in Milwaukee. He con-
tinued to practice law for some seven years, and was then offered
by the regents of the University of Wisconsin the chair of oratory
and rhetoric, which he accepted and filled with eminent success
until his demise. In 1882 Prof. Frankenburger sought, by a course
in Boston, to strengthen his qualifications as a teacher of oratory.
Although not an active participant in the political field he was a
life-long Republican. In religious matters he associated himself
with the Unitarian society of Madison and was an energetic and
influential partaker in all its activities. On June 24, 1880, Prof.
Frankenburger was united in marriage to Miss Mary Storer. eldest
daughter of the late George L. and Mary F. (Johnson) Storer. of
Madison. Mrs. Frankenburger was a native of Portland, Me.,
who came to Wisconsin when seventeen years of age. She at-
tended the Milwaukee College and is a graduate of the University
of Wisconsin. Prof, and Mrs. Frankenburger became the parents
of two daughters ; Margaret, twenty years of age, is a student
the State University, and Dorothy, fifteen years old, is attending
the high school. On February 6, 1906, Prof. Frankenburger suc-
cumbed to cerebro-spinal meningitis, leaving to mourn his loss
a host of friends among the alumni of his alma mater and the citi-
zens of his home city. The Wisconsin Society of Sciences, Arts
and Letters, the Madison Literary Club, of which organization he
was a charter member, the Humane Society and the Six O'Clock

BIOGRAPHICAL. » 301

Club all valued highly his membership and suffered in his death
an irreparable loss. Nowhere will he be more missed than in the
alumni gatherings of the University of Wisconsin, to which insti-
ution he was what Dr. Holmes was to Harvard — the college poet.
In earlier years he was a frequent contributor of verse to educa-
tional periodicals and became exceedingly popular with literary
connoisseurs for the exquisite culture of his poems.

Mrs. Phillis Gallagher Frawley, residing at 620 Langdon street,
Madison, was born in Rock Island, Ireland. With her parents,
Samuel and Sarah (Burchell) Gallagher, she came to Madison in
1857. by way of Quebec and the Great Lakes to Milwaukee, thence
by stage to Madison. The father was engaged in the shoe business
in Madison for a number of years. His death occurred when he
was fifty-six years of age and his widow passed aAvay in her sev-
enty-fourth year. The subject of this .sketch, the youngest of a
family of seven children, was an infant when the family arrived in
the capital city. When the somber cloud of war appeared on the
horizon of national unity Samuel Gallagher offered his services
in behalf of the preservation of the Union, but because of ill health
was prevented from serving. Mrs. Frawley received her prelimi-
nary education in the common and private schools of Madison and
then for a time attended the University of Wisconsin ; then for
three years she taught school. Her marriage to Henry P. Frawley
occurred March 17, 1877. In religious matters Mrs. Frawley is
affiliated with the Protestant Episcopal church. For many years
she conducted a boarding house at 620 Langdon street, and at
different times has had as many as eighty university students
under her charge. She has shown a foresight and judgment in
the matter of real estate values which have placed her in the fore-
most rank of capitalists. The new Frawley flats on Mendota court,
rcently erected by her, were the first modern flats built in Madi-
son, with steam heat and all modern improvements. Beside these
flats Mrs Frawley is the owner of much valuable realty. Of her
father's family there are two others beside herself living in Madi-
son,— John Gallagher, a dealer in tents and awnings, and Mrs.
E. L. Baker of 424 North Murray street.

Augustus M. Frish, general manager of the Advance Thresher
Company, whose Wisconsin headquarters are at 052 Jenifer street,
is a native of Monroe county, Wisconsin. He is a son of August
and Barbara (Robb) Frish, both natives of Germany. The father
was educated in the Fatherland and removed to this country, settling
in Dane county, when but twenty years old. Later he went to

302 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Monroe county, where the subject of this sketch was born Feb-
ruary 28, 1863, and subsequently to Juneau county, where he died
April 9, 1899. His widow is a resident of Tomah, Wis. She has
passed the sixty-eighth milestone but is still vigorous. Only the
two younger children of the family of four are still living. Bar-
bara, Mrs. Fred Finger, died at the age of thirty-one and Emma
passed away while still a child. Joseph, the youngest, is a broker
at Tomah. Augustus M. Frish received his education in the dis-
trict schools and the Tomah high school. Upon the completion
of his scholastic labors he went to work in a machine shop and af-
ter a few years became a "full-fledged" machinist. He then en-
tered the service of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha
Railway in the engine department and at the age of twenty had
become a locomotive engineer. In 1891 he gave up railroading to
go on the road for the Advance Thresher company and after eight
years of service as traveling salesman was promoted to his present
position of general manager. His field of operations includes
Illinois and Wisconsin, and the Madison office has ten employees
under Mr. Frish's direction. On October 1, 1889, Mr. Frish was
united in marriage to Mary Liddane, a native of Monroe county,,
and a daughter of Patrick and Bridget Liddane, both deceased-
This union has been blessed with three children, — Gertrude Gen-
evieve, Ruth and Evaline. The family are communicants of the
Catholic church. Mr. Frish is a member of the Knights of Colum-
bus, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Modern
Woodmen of America and the United Commercial Travelers.

John Froggatt, of Middleton, is one of Dane county's pioneers,
whose own unaided efforts have made him a substantial member
of the community. His parents, William F. and Anna (Robinson)
Froggatt, lived in Derbyshire, England, and out of a family of
seven brothers and sisters John was the only one who came to
America. John was born in 1823 and spent part of his early years
at the home of his grandfather, Robert Froggatt. He started to
work on a farm while quite young and worked for two years for
five dollars a year. After this he found employment in brickyards.
Dissatisfied with his poor surroundings the young man took pass-
age in a sailing vessel, the Mayflower, in March, 1849, with his
young wife. The boat was disabled in the Irish Channel in a col-
lision and obliged to return to Liverpool for repairs. After slight
delay in same month the persistent youth again set sail and landed
in New York in April with but sixty dollars in his pocket. This
he used to rent a farm near Buffalo, Erie county, N. Y., which he

O

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BIOGRAPHICAL. 303

worked for three years, leaving it to come to Wisconsin. Here
his hopes were not disappointed and after renting for a season
he was able to buy forty acres of wild land in Springfield township
which became his permanent home. The first building on it was
a log cabin erected by the hands of the owner but it was soon suc-
ceeded by more substantial ones and the farm has been added to
and improved until it now includes five hundred and forty acres
of fine land. Mr. Froggatt has given considerable attention to the
breeding of fine cattle in which he has been successful. He is
now retired and built his present home in Middleton in 1904, where
two of his children live. Mr. Froggatt was a Republican until 1887,
when he allied himself with the temperance cause. He has always
been active in church matters, in England, in the Wesleyan church
and in America, in the Methodist Episcopal church, where he has
been a class leader for fifty years. Mrs. Froggatt was before her
marrige Miss Mary Gill, daughter of William and Hannah Archer
Gill of Derbyshire. Three children of Mr. and Mrs. Froggatt are
now living; Walter G., born January 9. 1854, is a farmer of Middle-
ton. He has never married and is a partner of his brother, James
Henry; the latter was born October 28, 1855, at Springfield, Dane
county, and was educated in the county schools and also at the Uni-
versity in Madison in the winter of 1875-76. He spent the winter of
1877-78 in California, sight-seeing, but returned to the old home
and began farming. In 1889 he married Miss Mary Lappley of
Dane county, daughter of John and Mary (Smith) Lappley, old
settlers, now living in Middleton ; they have three children, Lill-
ian M.. Edward J. and Fannie J. Wesley E., the youngest, was
born August 30, 1870, received his professional training at Rush
Medical College, and is now practicing his profession of medicine
at Cross Plains. The lack of early educational advantages has
been so greatly deplored by Mr. Froggatt that he taught himself
the rudimentary branches and has made up to his children what he
was denied himself and all have good educations.

Richard Douglas Frost, one of the honored pioneers of Blooming
Grove township and one who has been prominent in the industrial
and civic upbuilding of the community and in the public affairs of
the county, claims the old Empire state of the Union as the place
of his nativity. He was born in the town of Schaghticoke, Rens-
selaer county. New York, October 9, 1821. His father, Stephen
Frost, was born in Washington county, New York, and was a son
of Ezra Frost, who was born in one of the New England states, of
Scotch ancestrv, and who removed from Massachusetts to Wash-

304 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

ington county. New York, settling in the village of Union, where
he was engaged in the general merchandise business until the time
of his death. Stephen Frost was reared to manhood in Washington
county, where he secured good educational advantages. He was
employed as a clerk and later as a bookkeeper in the village of
Union, whence he removed to the city of Brooklyn, where he was
long employed as an expert accountant and where he continued
to reside until his death. His wife, whose maiden name was
Elizabeth Cooper, was born near Fort Edward, Washington county.
New York, being a daughter of Richard and Sarah (Osborne)
Cooper, who were of English ancestry. Richard Cooper was born
in the state of New York, May 12. 1771, and he passed his entire life
in the old Empire state, his parents having been natives of England.
His wife likewise was born in New York state, April 2, 1783, her
father having immigrated from England to America in the col-
onial days and having continued a resident of New York until his
death, at an advanced age. After the death of her first husband
Elizabeth (Cooper) Frost became the wife of John Dusenberry,.
and they reared two children, — Joseph and Mary, the subject of this
sketch having been the only child of the first marriage. His
mother continued a resident of Schagticoke until the time of her
death. Richard D. Frost was about eleven years of age at the time
of his father's death, and he was carefully reared by his devoted
mother and his stepfather, securing the best -available educational
advantages of the locality and period. After his marriage he re-
moved to Troy, New York, in which city he assisted in establishing
a gingham factory, the second of the kind in the United States, and
he continued to superintend the operation of this manufactory until
1850, when his health became so impaired that he was compelled to
seek less sedentary occupation. In 1848 he had purchased a tract
in section 20. Blooming Grove township, Dane county, Wisconsin,
and when he sought a change of vocation and climate he decided to
locate on his farm in the wilds of the Badger state. He made the
trip by railroad to Buffalo, whnce he proceeded by way of steam-
boat on Lake Erie to Detroit, Michigan. From that city he made
his way by the Michigan Central Railroad to New Buffalo, at the
foot of Lake Michigan, where he secured lake transportation to
Milwaukee, from which point he came by stage to Madison. The
pleasant old days of the stage coaching have long passed, save as
enjoyed in a superficial style by the votaries of fashion, but at the
time when Mr. Frost came to Wisconsin the stage coach was an
established and valued institution in covering long distances, as

BIOGRAPHICAL. 305

the railways had not yet penetrated so far in the frontier
districts. For a number of years past Air. Frost has rented his fine
farm, which was reclaimed and improved by him and which com-
prises a large area of most productive and valued land,
and has lived essentially retired, enjoying the rewards of his long
years of earnest toil and endeavor. February 4, 18-11, Mr. Frost
was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Van Anden, who was born
in Schaghticoke, New York, being a daughter of Bernard and
Clarissa (Robinson) Van Anden, the former of whom was born in
beautiful Mohawk valley of New York, of Holland parentage,
and he continued resident of New York until his death.. His wife
passed the closing years of her life with her daughter, Mrs. Frost,
in Dane county, Wisconsin ; her father, Nathaniel Robinson, was
a native of New England and was a patriot soldier in the Continen-
tal line during the War of the Revolution. Mr. and Mrs. Frost
became the parents of three children, — Lewis, Emma E. and Sarah
M., the last named having been born in 1849 and having died in
1865. Emma is the wife of M. E. Flesh and they reside in the city
of Chicago. Lewis, the only son, was reared and educated in Dane
county, and he was one of the brave soldiers who represented this
state as a loyal defender of the Union in the Civil War.
He enlisted, in 1862, in Company I, Twenty-third Wisconsin
Volunteer Infantry, with which he participated in many important
engagements, having been once seriously wounded in battle. He
was promoted from private to first lieutenant of his company, with
which he remained in active service until the close of the war,
when he received his honorable discharge. He is now a prominent
business man of Winona. Minnesota, He married Miss Julia
Karns and they have three children. The subject of this review
has been identified with the Republican party from the time of its
organization, and he has been a stalwart advocate of its principles
and has been an influential factor in its local councils. He has held
various offices of trust, having been township assessor and having
represented Blooming Grove township on the county board of
supervisors for twelve years. In 1887 he was elected a represent-
ative of Dane county in the assembly of the state legislature, where
he labored to further such legislation as would redound to the ben-
efit of the state. He was for several years a member of the execu-
tive committee of the Wisconsin State Grange, and was also a
director of the Northwestern Relief Association, and director and
treasurer of the Cottage Grove Fire Insurance Company. He has
20— iii

306 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

ever stood for all that is best in citizenship and now, venerable in
years, he has the unqualified esteem and confidence of the people
of the county in which he has made his home for more than half a
century, while he is sustained by the loving companionship of
his cherished and devoted wife, to whom he was married fully
sixty-five years ago.

James Gallagher, an esteemed citizen of Madison, was born at
Rock Island, county of Cork. Ireland, May 11, 1833. He is a son of
John and Martha (Johnson) Gallagher, both natives of the county
of Cork, both of which families went from England into Ireland
at an early date. The subject's paternal grandfather was the first
Gallagher to come to this country, settling in Rochester, N. Y.
John Gallagher followed in 1855, coming directly to Dane county,
and started farming near Cottage Grove. John Gallagher and his
wife were devout members of the Church of England. Of their
twelve children there are only three living, James, the subject of this
sketch. Thomas, a farmer in Clark county, Wis., and Frank, a
farmer in Deerfield. Thomas and another son, Michael, were mem-
bers of the Eleventh Wisconsin infantry during the Civil War.
James had little opportunity to go to school. He learned the shoe-
maker's trade in Ireland and worked at it there until 1851, when he
determined to seek his fortune in the New World. After a passage
of five weeks and three days on a sailing vessel he landed in Que-
bec, with only two dollars in his pocket. From Quebec he went to
Kingston, Ontario, and for three months drove team at $3.50 per
month. At Rochester, N. Y. he worked at his trade for a year
and then came to Madison where he established a shoe store on
Webster street. For twenty years Mr. Gallagher continued in the
shoe business and later went into the grocery business. For the
past few years he has been dealing in real estate in a small way.
Mr. Gallagher is the owner of considerable improved real estate in
the city. Together with his son-in-law Jno. W. Salter, he has
just completed one of the most modern and up-to-date flat buildings
in Madison. This is situated at 12 and 1-4 Webster street and
contains six five and six-room flats, all square, finished with hard
wood floors, furnished with steam heat, electric lights, etc.
Another flat building facing on Hamilton and Webster streets con-
tains six four, five and six-room flats, finished the same as the
new flat except as to heating. He also owns a rooming-house at
334 W. Main street ; his home residence at 114 North Hamilton
street ; two houses on Baldwin street, 205 ; three full lots ; one house
on East Dayton street ; also the California Fruit store, a three

BIOGRAPHICAL. 307

story building ; five lots on the bay where the new park is being
made ; a lot on Wingra Heights, and twelve acres near the fair
grounds. All the Gallaghers have been and are stanch Repub-
licans, and although James Gallagher has never been an aspirant
for office, he has always worked hard for the success of his party.
He is a member of the Congregational church of Madison. On
October 26. 1857 he married Jane, daughter of William H. and
Ann (Jackson) Hartley. Mr. and Mrs. Hartley were natives of
Yorkshire, England, and came to Westport, this county, in 1850.
Although Mr. Hartley had been a brewer and later a sailor in the
British navy, he took up farming with great success when he came
to this country. Both he and his wife died on their Westport farm.
They had three children.Jane,(Mrs. Gallagher). "William H. and
Mary, deceased. James and Jane Gallagher have had eight child-
ren, only three of whom are now living: William H., living at
home and engaged in the real estate business with his father ;
Jennie A., the wife of John W. Solter of Unity, Wis. ; and Arthur
J., employed in the postoffice at Madison. All of the children were
educated in the Madison schools. Mr. Gallagher was a member
of the old Fire Company. Xo. 1, of Madison. Both the sons are
Elks and Knights of Pythias. Not many years ago it was a com-
mon belief that "Jim" Gallagher knew everybody in Dane county.
Ira Garfoot has been a resident of Cross Plains township from
the time of his birth and is now numbered among the prosperous
farmers and popular citizens of this section of the county, being a
representative of the third generation of his family in Dane county.
He was born on the old homestead farm, March 31, 1867, and is
a son of John and Emily (Simpson) Garfoot, both of whom were
born in Leicestershire, England, and both of whom came with their
respective parents to America. John Garfoot was a son of Will-
iam and Mary (Busier) Garfoot, and the family settled in Cross
Plains township, this county, about 1855. William Garfoot pur-
chased eighty acres of wild land, in section 20, and reclaimed a
good farm before his death, both he and his wife passing the closing
years of their lives in the village of Black Earth. They became the
parents of eight children, of whom four are living. Elizabeth,
Sarah and William reside in Black Earth township, and Henry in
Mount Horeb, Blue Mounds township. John Garfoot, father of
the subject of this sketch remained with his parents until he had
reached the >age of seventeen years, when he enlisted in the Thir-
tieth Wisconsin, Company C. Upon returning he engaged in
farming on his own responsibility, becoming one of the progressive

308 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

farmers and highly esteemed citizens of his county and continuing
to reside on his homestead farm, in sections 8 and 9, this township,
until his death, which occurred March 31, 1900, his cherished and
devoted wife having been summoned into eternal rest April 17, 1885.
Their marriage was solemnized in this county and both were com-
municants of the Protestant Episcopal church ; his political alle-
gience was given to the Republican party and he always took a
lively interest in local affairs of a public nature. Concerning the
nine children in the family the folowing brief entry is consistently
made: Ira, whose name initiates this article, is the eldest; Eva is
the wife of William H. Britt, of Mount Horeb, this county ; Wil-
liam is a farmer in Roberts county, So. Dakota ; Alva is engaged in
farming in Middleton township ; Ralph follows the same vocation
in Iowa county, Wisconsin ; Addie is the wife of William Danz,
of Mazomanie township; May E. (Garfoot) Higgins resides in
Mazomanie ; Charles and George remain on the old homestead farm.
Ira Garfoot was educated in the public schools of his native town-
ship and continued to be associated in the work of the home farm
until he had attained the age of twenty-live years, when, in 1892,
he purchased his present farm, of one hundred and twenty acres, in
section 8, Cross Plains township, adjoining the old home place of
his honored father. He has made many improvements on the farm
and is careful and progressive in his carrying on of all departments
of the farm work, so that he has been eminently successful in his
operations, having given no little attention to the dairy business in
connection with general agricultural work. In politics he is inde-
pendent of strict partisan lines, but the esteem in which he is held
in the community is indicated in the various offices in which he has
been called upon to serve. He is one of the supervisors of his town-
ship, having been incumbent of this office for the past three years,
was clerk of his school district six years, and has held other
minor offices. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity
and the Modern Woodmen of America, and is distinctively
popular in both business and social circles in his home town-
ship and county. March 26, 1892, Mr. Garfoot was united in mar-
riage to Miss Anna Belle Howery, who was born and reared in this
township, being a daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Carden)
Howery, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Wiscon-
sin. Mrs. Garfoot died February 5, 1905, and is survived by two
children, — Gladys and Earl.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 309

Albert Francis Garvoille, of Belleville, is a native of France, born
August 17, 1861. His parents were Xavier and Marie (Carteron)
Garvoille, both French. Mr. Garvoillle was brought up on a farm
and as a young man served in the French army ; he came to America
before the rest of the family and worked in the vicinity of Belleville.
He enlisted and took part in the Civil War, serving until its close ;
he then returned to Montrose township, and engaged in farming
on the place where Joel Ramer now resides, and afterward bought
land in section 23. Mrs. Garvoille with the children came to Wis-
consin in 1862, when the subject of this sketch was about one year
old. In 1874, the family removed to Clay county, Nebraska, where
they took up land and engaged again in farming, remaining three
years. The total destruction of their crops by the grasshoppers
for two successive years caused their removal to Kansas where
they remained one year, but finding the climate unhealthful, they
returned to their early home in Wisconsin, occupying the farm
where the father now resides. Albert F. Garvoille is the second in
a family of eight children ; the others are Victor, of Belleville ; Mil-
lie, at home; Olampe, of Oregon ; Euphemie, married Alfred Peller,
of Sauk; Julia, married Paul Begey, of Muscatine, Iowa; Louis, at
home ; Mary, married John King, of Brooklyn. Mr. A. F. Garvoille
received his education in the public schools of Nebraska and Kansas.
He began life for himself at the age of twenty-one, working by the
month ; he worked on the university farm at Madison from 1891
to 1893, under the superintendence of Professor Henry, and after
leaving there rented a farm in the town of Montrose for seven years.
In 1899 he was the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of the best
land in the township, which he runs for general farming, stock
raising and dairying. He was married in November, 1892, to Miss
Margaret Tierney, of Madison, who was, before her marriage a
teacher of Dane county. To this union have been born four child-
ren, Leo, the oldest, died in infancy; Eleanor, born January 10,
1896; Albert John, born September 23, 1898, Gordon, born May 5,
1902. Mr. Garvoille has always been a stanch Republican, casting
his first vote for James G. Blaine, in 1884; he is at present the Re-
publican chairman of the town of Montrose. He is a member of
the Catholic church, of the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin, and of
the M. W. A.

Albert W. Gaston, one of the well known farmers and popular
citizens of Cottage Grove township, has been a resident of Dane
county during the major portion of his life and is a scion of one of

310 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

its pioneer families. He was born in the village of Saline, Washte-
naw county, Michigan, November 11, 1835, this being before that
state had been admitted to the Union. He is a son of Albert and
Eliza Ann Gaston, the former of whom was born in Massachu-
setts and the latter in the state of New York, from which latter state
they immigrated to Michigan and thence to Wisconsin, having been
numbered among the early settlers of Cottage Grove township,
Dane county. Here the father took up government land, and the
old homestead is the farm upon which the subject of this sketch
now resides and which he owns. Albert W. Gaston was nine years
of age at the time of his parents' removal to Dane county, and he
was reared to the invigorating discipline of the pioneer farm, while
he attended the somewhat primitive district schools when opportu-
nity presented. He remained at the parental home until he was
about twenty-five years of age, when he purchased a farm in Ore-
gon township, where he remained about eight years, at the expi-
ration or which his father deeded him eighty acres adjoining the old
homestead. On this farm he was engaged in agricultural pursuits
about twelve years, in the meanwhile making many improvements
on the place, and he then sold the property and engaged in the liv-
ery business in the city of Madison, his headquarters being what is
known as the old Hayden barn, on East Washington avenue. Two
years later he disposed of his stock and business and returned to
the old homestead farm, where he has ever since resided. Mr.
Gaston is one of the stanch adherents of the Republican party in his
township, but has never been an aspirant for public office. He
is a member of the Presbyterian church. December 14, 1865, he
was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Ann Smith, who was born
January 24, 1845, being a daughter of Matthew and Ann Smith,
at that time residents of Oregon township. Mrs. Gaston is de-
ceased, being survived by one son, Albert A., who now resides in
Madison.

Peter Gauer, chief engineer of the waterworks pumping station,
first saw the light of day in Alsace-Lorraine, France (since 1871 a
part of Germany), on April 14, 1855. His parents, Peter and Bar-
bara (Grebille) Gauer. both natives of Lorraine, came to the United
States in 1873, settling in Milw.aukee. The father had been a
shoemaker in his native land but after his arrival in this country
led a retired life. He died in 1874 at the age. of sixty-four. The
mother died sixteen years later in her seventy-fourth year. Both
parents were members of the Catholic church. Of their eleven

BIOGRAPHICAL. 311

children four are still living'. John and J. N. are residents of Mil-
waukee and Catherine, the widow of William Anyotte, makes her
home in the same city. Peter Gauer received his education and
learned the machinests' trade in his native country. In 1873 he
came to this country with his parents and entered the employ of
a furniture firm in Milwaukee as fireman. He remained with this
concern some three years, becoming engineer after the first six
months' service. He then became foreman of a pipe-laying gang
for the Milwaukee steam supply company, a company which sup-
plied steam for heating and power to residences and business
houses. The company had thirty-three boilers in operation, each
supplying over one hundred horse-power. When the pipe-laying
was done he entered the works as foreman of the firemen and six
months later was promoted to the position of engineer. The con-
cern became insolvent after a few months and Mr. Gauer for the
next thirty months was in the employ of E. P. Allis engine works.
In 1883 the Hoffman & Billings company entered into a contract
with the city of Madison to fit out the water works. The contract
stipulated that the company was to supply an engineer for the first
year of operation and Mr. Gauer was selected by the company to
fill the position. At the end of a year Mr. Gaiter was offered per-
manent employment as waterworks engineer by the board of water
commissioners, and accepted. That he has filled the position effi-
ciently and well is manifested by his continuous service of some
twenty-three years. In April, 1882, he was married to Miss Helen
Scheithauer, a native of Milwaukee and a daughter of Jacob and
Helen (Biegel) Scheithauer. Jacob Scheithauer died at the age of
forty-five in 1873. His widow is still a resident of the Cream City.
The marriage of Mr. Gauer has been blessed with five children.
Helen Carolina is the wife of Charles L. Van Arsdale of Chicago.
Julius Peter is in the employ of the Allis-Chalmers company of Mil-
waukee and is engineer of a machinery erecting gang. He seems to
have inherited much of the skill and ingenuity of his father as he is
making a great success of his work. Paul George is a student at
the Wisconsin Academy in Madison. The other two children are
Ferdinand Joseph, attending the public schools, and Edward
August. The family are members of the St. Patrick Catholic
church. Mr. Gauer is also a member of the Fraternal Order of
Eagles and of the National Association of Stationary Engineers,
of which organization he has served as president for five years.

312 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

A model citizen and skillful engineer, he well merits the esteem
and respect which the community holds for him.

William M. Gay has resided on his present beautiful farm, in sec-
tion 4, Blooming Grove township, since 1868, while he has made
his home in the county the greater portion of the time since 1856,
having been the first of the name in the county, where now are to
be found several families bearing the cognomen. Mr. Gay was
born in what was then known as Log City, in Knox county, Illin-
ois, August 30, 1838, and is a son of Joseph and Maria (Rhodes)
Gay, the former of whom was born in Addison county, Vermont,
and the latter in Chittenden county, that state. The respective
families were founded in New England in the colonial era of our
national history. The parents were numbered among the pioneers
of Illinois, where they continued to reside until death, honored by
all who knew them. William M. was reared in his native county,
and his early educational advantages were those afforded in the com
mon schools of the locality and period. He early manifested a dis-
tinctive proclivity for the work of a salesman, his ability in the line
being, perhaps, an inherent endowment, characteristic of so many
of those who have emanated from good old New England and have
justified the title of Yankee, the most significant of all American
pseudonyms of the sort. Suffice it to say that for many years he
followed the vocation of a salesman, in various lines, and in this con-
nection he made his first visit to Madison, Wisconsin, July 2, 1856,
while thereafter he made frequent sojourns in the capital city,
which was then but a small village. In 1868 he purchased his pres-
ent beautiful farm, of one hundred and sixty acres, and took up his
permanent residence in Dane county. He developed and improved
the place and continued to give his personal attention to its opera-
tion until very recent years. He is now living essentially retired,
after long years of indefatigable and successful enterprise as a
farmer and stock-grower, and still resides on his farm. He has
been a stanch supporter of the cause of the Republican party from
the time of its organization, but has never sought official prefer-
ment. His family belong to the Congregational church. Septem-
ber 29, 1875, Mr. Gay was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth
Hiestand, daughter of Jacob R. and Mary A. (Statesman) Hies-
tand, of Blooming Grove township. Her father is deceased and a
memorial tribute to him is entered on another page of this work.
Mr. and Mrs. Gay became the parents of five children, all of whom
are living except the second, Francis Joseph, who was born Janu-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 313

ary, 22, 1878, and died in 1885. The names of the living children
are here entered, with respective dates of birth : Harry Hiestand,
July 17, 1876; Mary E., October 18, 1880; Dellgracia Barbara,
December 17, 1884; and Arthur William, November 24, 1886.

Era Hall Gerard is a successful business man and popular citizen
of Stoughton, is one of the prominent members of the Masonic
fraternity in this part of the state, and is well entitled to recogni-
tion in this history. He is engaged in the lumber business in
Stoughton, where he also manufactures tobacco boxes. Mr.
Gerard was born in the village of Sparta, Elgin county, Ontario,
Canada, March 9, 1850, and is a son of Norman and Jane (Brown)
Gerard ; the former was born in the state of New York, his ances-
tors being Friends, and the latter, of Irish descent, in the province
of Ontario, Canada. The parents came to Wisconsin as pioneers in
1850, settling in Omro, Winnebago county, where the father was
engaged in lumbering for twenty-two years, assisting materially in
the developing of the great lumber industry of the state. He then
removed to Grand Rapids, this state, where he continued in the
same line of enterprise for thirteen years, since which time he has
lived retired and made his home with the subject of this sketch, in
Stoughton. Era H. Gerard was reared to manhood in Wisconsin
and early became familiar with the details of the lumbering busi-
ness. He was afforded a good common-school education, and he
continued to be associated with his father's business until 1879,
when he located in Webster City, Iowa, where he established him-
self in the retail lumber business. In 1880 he removed to Austin,
Minnesota, where he was engaged in the same business for the en-
suing three years, at the expiration of which he returned to Wis-
consin, taking up his residence in Stoughton in May, 1885. Here
he has built up a large and prosperous retail lumber trade, having a
well-equipped plant. Mr. Gerard is a stanch Republican in his po-
litical allegience, and his wife is a member of the First Baptist
church of Stoughton. He is affiliated with Kegonsa Lodge, No. 73,'
Free and Accepted Masons, and January 3, 1906, he was installed
as it's secretary an office to which he has been elected for twenty-one
consecutive terms. He is also identified with Madison Chapter,
No. 4, Royal Arch Masons; Robert McCoy Commandery, No. 3,
Knights Templar; and has attained to the thirty-second degree of Scot-
tish Rite Masonry, being a member of the Wisconsin Consistory, of
Milwaukee, and is also affiliated with the adjunct organizations of the
time-honored fraternity. — the Order of the Eastern Star and the An-

314 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

cient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. April 28, 1872,
Mr. Gerard was united in marrage to Miss Harriet Grout, daughter
of Ebenezer and Triphona (Stone) Grout, residents of Ontario,
Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Gerard have three adopted children, Ora
B., Milo C. and Marjory. Ora B. is now the wife of William Dear-
born.

Charles Martin Gest was born in the town of Windsor and for
some years was employed as a railroad fireman but in recent years
has been occupied with farming in his native township, where he
owns a good farm of sixty-four acres. His parents, Charles and
Frederika Gest, were natives of Germany and early settlers of Dane
county, where they arrived in 1851. They purchased a farm in the
township of Windsor and made it their permanent home. Mrs.
Gest died in 1872 and her husband in 1901. Their family con-
sisted of six children, of whom all but one are living. After
his wife's death Mr . Gest married again, his wife being Mrs.
Dora Dorchlag, whose present home is in Madison. The family
was identified with the Lutheran church. Charles Martin Gest
was born on the farm in Windsor, October 24, 1859, attended school
in De Forest and after two years of railroad work purchased a
farm and has given special attention to stock-raising. His
Norman Percheron horses, short-horned cattle and Shropshire
sheep all show the skill with which they are bred and cared
for. The fine modern buildings on the premises have been
all erected by Mr. Gest since he bought the farm. Mr. Gest is in-
dependent in his political beliefs but active in the interests of the
community. November 29, 1883, he married Miss Anna Rade-
macher, who was born in Windsor, April 1, 1863, daughter of Otto
and Elizabeth (Thien) Rodemacher, who came from Germany to
Dane county in 1851. Mr. Rodemacher died in 1893 and his widow
lives in East Bristol, Wis. Three of their five children are living.
Mr. and Mrs. Rodemacher were members of the Roman Catholic
church, as is also their daughter Anna and her family. Mr. and
Mrs. Gest have one daughter, Elizabeth, born June 27, 1899, and two
adopted sons, Raymond, and Charlie, aged respectively eleven and
nine years. Mr. Gest is a member of the Brotherhood of America.

Robert B. Gibbons, the genial postmaster at Cottage Grove and
one of the leading citizens of that community, is a native of Canada,
having been born at Marimache, New Brunswick, on November
10, 1845. He is a son of John and Eunice (Sommers') Gibbons.
John Gibbons was born in Ireland in 1810, and after his father's

BIOGRAPHICAL. 315

death in 1819, came to the province of New Brunswick with his
mother, where he continued to reside until 1854. Eunice Sommers
was born in Connecticut on November 20, 1813, her ancestry dating
far back in Xew England history. Her paternal grandfather was
a soldier in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War. The
Sommers family removed from Connecticut to New Brunswick early
in the century and it was here that the daughter Eunice met and be-
came the wife of John Gibbons. By this union there were seven
sons and three daughters born. James, the eldest, enlisted Decem-
ber 1, 1862, in Company H, Third Wisconsin Cavalry as a private
and received an honorable discharge when the regiment was mus-
tered out September 8, 1865. His death occurred in 1897. John H.
enlisted November 22, 1861, in the Eighth Battery, Wisconsin
Light Artillery, and was mustered out January 17, 1865. He died
August 23, 1905. Charles became an immigrant to California in 1859;
he died in Butte, Montana, several years later. Phoebe Ann
became the mother of Oliver R. Mather. She passed away
several years ago. Isabella R.. now Mrs. Malcolm Davidson,
resides in Sun Prairie. Henry enlisted August 14, 1862, in Com-
pany G, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin Infantry and with his regiment
was mustered out June 22, 1865. His death occurred in Minnesota,
Edmund A. enlisted at the same time and in the same company as
did his brother Henry, and on September 27, 1864, was promoted to
be second lieutenant of Company I, First Wisconsin Heavy Artillery.
As such he was mustered out June 26, 1865. His present residence
is Mankato, Minn. The eighth member of the family in the order
of age was Robert B., the subject of this sketch. Eunice J., the
third daughter, is the wife of I. U. Flannagan of Sun Prairie.
George A., the youngest, is now in the western states. John Gib-
bons removed his family from Canada to Dane county in October,
1854, and located in the village of Sun Prairie. There he remained
the first winter and then purchased a farm of some two hundred
acres in the town of Bristol where he remained until 1864, remov-
ing thence to Sun Prairie again. Following the example of his
sons, on May 16, 1864, ne enlisted in Company D, of the Fortieth
Wisconsin Infantry and was mustered out just four months
later. At the time of his enrollment in the Union army he was
a clerk in the office of the secretary of state in Madison,
and after his discharge from the army he returned to the
same work. He was twice elected on the Republican ticket
as register of deeds of Dane countv and at the time of

316 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

his death (June 20, 1875) was in the employ of the government
as postmaster at Sun Prairie. His widow survived him until the
late nineties. Both parents were life long and ardent members of
the Baptist church. Robert B. Gibbons was but nine years old
when he came with his parents to Wisconsin. He received a some-
what meager education in the district schools and spent his early life
on the farm. In June, 1861, he left his home at Sun Prairie and
came to Madison, where he attempted to enlist in the Second Wis-
consin Infantry, but his father suspected where he was gone and
sent another son to bring him home. With his brother John he went
to Knowlton, Marathon county, Wis., and worked in the pineries
until November, 1861. Then, although but sixteen years old, he en-
listed in the Eighth Battery, Wisconsin Light Artillery. The fol-
lowing winter was spent in Camp Utley at Racine and in March,
1862, the battery was taken to St. Louis, where the allotment of
horses and cannon was made. After six weeks of drill at Fort
Leavenworth the battery went by boat to Columbus, Ky., where it
was disembarked and joined an expedition through Kentucky and
Tennessee into Mississippi. At Jacinto, Miss., Mr. Gibbons was
invalided to the field hospital with typhoid fever, and was subse-
quently removed to the hospital at Iuka, Miss. Shortly afterward
Iuka was threatened by the Confederates and the sick and wounded
were removed to Jackson, Tenn. The enemy occupied Iuka the
night after the incapacitated troops had been removed. At Jack-
son Mr. Gibbons was honorably discharged because of physical
disability and his father brought him back to Sun Prairie on a cot.
After his recovery he attended the seminary of his home town for a
few months and on June 26, 1863, he re-enlisted in the Federal ser-
vice, this time in the Thirteenth Battery, Wisconsin Light Artillary.
The place of enrollment was at Whitewater, whence it went into
camp at Camp Washburn in Milwaukee. In March. 1864, the bat-
tery was sent to Cairo, Ills., and then by boat to New Orleans, only
to be ordered to return before disembarking to Baton Rouge. At
Camp Williams near Baton Rouge the battery remained until hos-
tilities had ceased, making frequent reconnaissances into the sur-
rounding country. On July 20, 1865, Mr. Gibbons received an hon-
orable discharge in Milwaukee and the following fall and winter he
spent in Sun Prairie. In the spring of 1866 he went to Minnesota
where he spent the summer as an employe in a brickyard and in the
fall made a trip on foot to Knowlton, Wis. This was his home until
1885. During the winter months he worked in the woods and in

BIOGRAPHICAL. 317

the summer rafted his lumber down the Wisconsin river to the Miss-
issippi. During the last five years of his residence in Knowlton he
was pilot of lumber rafts on the Wisconsin river. It was in 1885
that he came to Cottage Grove to engage in retail lumber business.
For seven years that industry furnished him means of livelihood
and in 1892 he sold out his interest. From that time he worked at
carpentering until his appointment on July 11, 1897. as postmaster
at Cottage Grove. He has held that position continuously since,
even through the various changes in the congressional representa-
tives from this district. Mr. Gibbons is identified with the Lucius
Fairchild Post of Madison, of the Grand Army of the Republic and
with the Madison lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. In Octo-
ber, 1871, he was united in marriage to Ida Brown, born and
brought up in Cottage Grove, and daughter of Orvin Brown. Ros-
well Brown, father of Orvin Brown, was one of the famous charac-
ters of early days in Wisconsin and his portrait hangs in state
historical library in Madison. Four children have been born to
Mr. and Mrs. Gibbons. Ruth became the wife of L. C. Graves,
agent of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Co. in Cottage
Grove. Josie Belle died at the age of twenty-two months. Robert
O. is a graduate of the Universty of Wisconsin with the class of
1903 and is now a teacher in Carroll College, Waukesha, Wis.
His wife was Agnes Pratt. Bret H., the youngest, died in infancy
Dr. George Lewis Gibbs is a prominent practicing physician of
Marshall, Wis., and is the descendant of quite a remarkable family.
His grandfather. Daniel Gibbs, was a native of England whose wife
was Miss Whitehall of German descent. He came to Jefferson
county, N. Y., and thence to Dodge county, Wis., in 1852. He there
lived to the great age of ninety-nine years and nearly four months.
The mother of Daniel Gibbs was one hundred and fourteen years ot
age at the time of her death. The son of Daniel Gibbs, John
Fletcher Gibbs, was born in Otsego county, N. Y.. in 1820, and was
a merchant and fur buyer for the American Fur Co. He married
Miss Adelia M. Crossman, who was born in New York in 1838.
John F. Gibbs was active in politics in New York, where he was
elected sheriff of Jefferson county. In 1852 he came to Dodge
county, Wis., and for some time carried on an extensive trade in
furs and also obtained about seven hundred acres of land. In 1860,
he began to study for the ministry and in 1861 received his license,
continuing his work under the local pastor in Dodge county. Or-
dained a deacon in the Methodist Episcopal church in 1868, he was

318 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

made an elder at Whitewater in 1873 and in 1874 came to Oconomo-
woc, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a Republi-
can. Since Mr. Gibbs' death in 1902, Mrs. Gibbs has lived in Mil-
waukee. George Lewis Gibbs was born in Dodge county, Wis.
March 28, 1867, the son of Rev. and Mrs. John F. Gibbs. He at-
tended school in Dodge county and the high school at Oconomo-
woe. In 1890 he was graduated from the Hahnemann Medical Col-
lege and began the practice of his profession in Palmyra, Jefferson-
county, Wis. In 1895 he located at Marshall where he soon took
the front rank in his profession and established a large practice.
He is interested in real estate in the western states and owns a
delightful home in Marshall. Dr. Gibbs is a Republican in his
political affiliations and a member of the village board and actively
promotes the interests of the village. June 19, 1891, he married
Miss Perle Martin, who was born in Menominee Falls, in 1873,
daughter of Nelson D. and Lettie (Mapes) Martin, whose home
has been in Milwaukee for a number of years. Dr. and Mrs. Gibbs
have two children, Darrell Dean and Verrene Lillian. The family
is associated with the Methodist Episcopal church. Dr. Gibbs is
a member of the Waterloo Lodge, No. 63, F. & A. M., a Royal
Arch Mason and also, belongs to the M. W. A. and E. F .U.
The medical societies with which he is affiliated are the Dane
County Medical Society, the Wisconsin State Medical Society, the
American Medical Association and the Central Wisconsin Medical
Association and the State Homeopathic Medical Society.

Peter C. Gilberson, physician and surgeon at Mt. Horeb, was
born in Hachland, Norway, August 1, 1864, and came to America
with his parents in 1S69. He was the only son of Christian and
Gulbjar (Holman) Gilberson, whose farm home in Norway was
Amensrude. Both of them were natives of Norway who migrated
to America and settled on a farm near Fennimore, Grant county,
Wis., where the mother now resides at the age of seventy-six years
The father made farming his occupation during all of his life,
and died in 1902, at the age of seventy-four years. The subject of
this review is one of three children, Anna, his eldest sister, being
the wife of Ola T. Oleson, of Fennimore, Grant county, and Gena
is married to B. N. Berry and resides on ihe old family homestead.
Dr. Gilberson was reared on the parental farm and received his
preliminary education in the public schools. Having decided upon
the medical profession as his life's vocation he entered the Keokuk
Medical College at Keokuk, Iowa, and then completed his medical

BIOGRAPHICAL. 319

course at the Milwaukee Medical College, graduating with the class
of 1895. He immediately engaged in the practice of his profession
in Iowa county, Wis., and remained there until June, 1898, when he
removed to Mt. Horeh, where he has since been located, engaged
in the general practice of medicine and surgery. He was married
on November 9, 1887, to Miss Emma Gillies, of Grant county,
Wis., daughter of Malcolm Gillies, one of the pioneer settlers in
that part of the state and a very prominent citizen. The father and
mother were both natives of Pennsylvania. The father died in 1888
and the mother now resides at Bloomington, Wis. Dr. and Mrs.
Gilberson are the parents of four children : Mildred Cecil, Ethel
Genevieve, Clarence Peter and Margaret Grace. The doctor is a
member of the county, state, and American medical societies, and
keeps thoroughly up to date in his profession by being a subscriber
to and student of the best current literature pertaining to the Es-
culapian science. His religious faith is expressed by membership
in the Methodist Episcopal church, and politically he is a Republi-
can with decidedly independent proclivities..

John Gilbert has but recently taken up his residence in the vil-
lage of Oregon, and is now living in comparative retirement, after
years of arduous and fruitful toil upon the farm, which is located
but a few miles from the place of his present abode. He is a son of
Schuyler Gilbert, one of the pioneer citizens of Dane county, and it
is but proper that in this review more than a passing mention
should be given the latter. Schuyler Gilbert was born October 11,
1819, in Tully, Onondaga county, N. Y., and his early life was
spent there as a farmer. He came west in 1845, and located in the
town of Oregon, Dane county, where he first purchased forty acres
of land, to which he soon added forty acres by purchase and forty
of government land, and afterward purchased an additional
forty-five acres, thus making his farm to consist of one hundred
and sixty-five acres of land, which he improved and brought to a
high state of cultivation. About the first necessity after locating
here in the woods was a place of habitation, and Mr. Gilbert built
a log shanty, with puncheon floor, an oak door and a "six-light"
window, without glass, the latter being made from the cover of a
dry-goods box. The cabin was roofed with shingles sawed out by
himself and wife, and this was the family abode during the first sum-
mer following the advent of Mr. Gilbert into the wilds of this west-
ern country. But in November, 1846, they were able to move into
a good log house, the lumber used being sawed from timber "bor-

330 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

rowed" from speculators' lands in Green county, and this answered
the need of a comfortable home until 1869, when Mr. Gilbert
erected a good frame house on his farm, in which he and his good
wife spent the remainder of their lives. The hard times exper-
ienced by the early pioneers and the difficulties with which they had
to contend will never be fully appreciated by those of a later gen-
eration. Mr. Gilbert converted all of his first crop of wheat into
seed for the following year, and then split rails at fifty cents per
hundred to obtain money with which to buy wheat at fifty cents
per bushel for bread. He was compelled to walk more than two
miles each day, to and from his work. The first wheat he mar-
keted was drawn to Milwaukee by oxen, three weeks being con-
sumed in making the round trip. Mr. Gilbert was married, in De-
cember, 1844, to Miss Hancy Hills, of Fabius, Onondaga county,
N. Y., and together they endured the trials of a pioneer life, not un-
mixed, however, with happiness. They both lived to enjoy the
abundant fruits of their early toil and privations, the wife dying on
January 26, 1889, and the father on April 1, 1894. Five children
were the result of their union, four of whom survive. Frank is
a resident of the state of Kansas ; Mary E., became the wife of
John Draher, of the town of Oregon, and is now deceased;
John is the immediate subject of this review; and Josephine
(now Mrs. Faulkes) and Alice (now Mrs. Marshall) both reside
in the village of Oregon. All of these children were born on
the old homestead, and all were educated in the district
schools. John Gilbert was born on March 31, 1861, and remained
with his parents on the old homestead until he had attained to his
majority. He then began farming for himself and has successfully
followed that honorable calling for nearly twenty-five years, only
recently retiring and taking up his residence in the village of
Oregon. He owns two hundred and five acres of well-improved
land, which stands as a high testimonial to his energy and indus-
trious habits. He was married on December 23, 1888, taking as his
partner for life Miss Flora B. Lockwood. daughter of Henry D.
and Emma Toles) Lockwood, of Beloit. \Yis., the latter of whom
is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert are the parents of two promis-
ing children, Henry S. and Cora E,, both of whom are now stu-
dents in the Oregon village schools. In politics Mr. Gilbert gives
an unswerving allegiance to the Republican party, although he has
never entered the lists as an office seeker, and he holds a member-
ship in the lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America at Oregon.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 321

Leigh B. Gilbert, the efficient mason contractor of Madison, was
born in Rockingham county, N. H., November 4. 1860. His parents
were W. T. and Sarah H. (Bartlett) Gilbert, one of whom died
in 1901. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church
of Auburn, N. H., where they made their home. The father was
a shoemaker by vocation. The four children of the family are in
the order of their, ages Frank H., Leigh B., Harry S. and Kate A.
The eldest makes his home in Auburn, N. H., where he is chief of
police. Harry S., is a mason at Rogers Park, a suburb of Chicago,
111. Kate is the wife of Melvin Hall and makes her home in Au-
burn, N. H. Leigh B. received his education in the Auburn
schools. He served his apprenticeship as a mason at Evanston,
111., and worked at it for ten years, entering business for himself
in 1891 at Evanston. He remained in the Illinois city until 1900,
when he came to Madison to do the mason work on the engineering
building of the University of Wisconsin. He also built the North-
ern Electrical Company's plant, the Carnegie library, the Gisholt
foundry and the additions to the main shop, the new street car
barns, the Amercan Plow Company's factory, the American Shred-
der Company's plant, the new Schlitz hotel, the O. D. Brandenburg
residence, one of the finest in the city, Mrs. Frawley's and the Gal-
lagher flats, the addition to the hospital for the insane at Mendota,
the new Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul depot at West Madison,
the Wisconsin building, the Vroman block and the mason work on
the A. Cohn tobacco warehouse. These are but a few of the many
buildings Mr. Gilbert has had a hand in erecting, and their struct-
ural beauty are ample evidence of the skill and ingenuity of the
builder. On September 8, 1883, he was united in marriage to Miss
Nellie C. Campbell of Evanston. Mr. Gilbert is a member of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Pro-
tective Order of Elks and the National Union. He is a much re-
spected citizen of the community where he has so recently made his
home.

Elling Gilbertsen (Guttormson) is a prominent farmer of the
town of Dunkirk and a native of Norway. His parents, Guttorm-
son and Guri Oleson, resided in Buskkerud, Hallingdal. Norway
and there their son Elling was born November 21, 1860. He at-
tended the common schools of his native city and remained with his
parents until he was twenty-one years of age when he determined
to cross the seas and live in the United States. His first home in
the west was in Greene county, 111., and here he worked out by the
21— iii

322 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

month for the farmers of the neighborhood until 1883. At that
time he came to the town of Dunkirk and spent eight years raising
tobacco on shares. He succeeded in saving enough money to pur-
chase a farm of ninety acres and upon this he made all the improve-
ments and continued the culture of tobacco, with which he was
always very successful, besides other kinds of farm produce.
Each year he raised from ten to twelve acres of tobacco. May 5,
1885, he married Miss Mary Peterson of Dunkirk, daughter of
Amund and Agnes (Bovre) Peterson, who were natives of Norway
and early settlers of Dane county. Six children blessed the mar-
riage ; Ada, Gustave, Emma, Clarence, Morris and Rudolph. Mr.
Gilbertsen and his wife are devoted members of Christ Lutheran
church of Stoughton. Mr Gilbertsen is a Republican in his politi-
cal affiliations.

Ed. Gilbertson, a successful farmer, owns one of Rutland's hand-
somest homes. His parents, Gilbert Wethal and Bertha (Bjornt-
sen) Wethal were natives of Christiania, Norway, where
their early married life was spent. Mr. Wethal was a carpenter
in America, where he came in 1879. Ed. Gilbertson has one sister,
Annie, the wife of Hans Hansen of Minneapolis, and two brothers,
Hans, a carpenter in Minneapolis, Minn., and Anton, a physician
of Minneapolis, and a graduate of the University of Minnesota.
Ed was born in Christiania^ December 10, 1853, attended the com-
mon schools in Norway and worked on a farm as a boy. After he
came to Stoughton he worked in different, places on farms
and purchased his present home in [Rutland in 1892. His
farm consists of one hundred and twenty acres in section 15 with
many substantial improvements. In 1905 a new and modern house
containing ten rooms, was built at a cost of $2,200. Mr. Gilbert-
son is a Republican and takes an active interest in local politics.
For six years he was supervisor and has been school clerk and held
other local offices. In April, 1882, he married Miss Thea Johnson,
daughter of John and Nicalina Hansen who came to America from
Norway, in 1882, to live with Mr. and Mrs. Gilbertson. Eight
children have been born to them ; John, Minnie, Nora, Emma,
Esther, Bertha, May and Agnes. All have attended the district and
Stoughton schools and the family attend the First Lutheran church.

Gilbert L. Gilson resides on a farm in section 7, Albion. He is
the son* of Lewis and Gertrude (Ramsey), both natives of Norway.
Lewis Gilson came to the United States with his parents from Hade-
land in 1851, when he was thirteen years of age, and lived in Wan-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 323

paca county in the town of Scandinavia, of which his father Gilbert
was one of the very early settlers. In 1860 Lewis left Waupaca
county and came to Dane county ,where he worked out for the farm-
ers until 1869, when he was able to purchase an eighty-acre farm in
section 7. This he improved, erected suitable buildings upon it
and made it his home the remainder of his life. Here his three chil-
dren were born and here Mrs. Gilson died in 1891. Martha, the old-
er daughter, married Peter Murkve of Albion ; Hannah, the young-
er, is the wife of Ole Westby, a farmer of the town of Burke ;
Gilbert L. was born in Albion, August 5, 1865, attended the home
schools and has always lived at the old family home. At the age of
seventeen he engaged in tobacco raising in which he was very suc-
cessful and since 1890 has been the sole manager of the farm owned
by his father. In 1897 he purchased the homestead and upon it
carries on a general farming business. He raises considerable
stock and grain, hay, tobacco, etc. He has made many improve-
ments upon the place and has a nice property. April 11, 1906,
he married Miss Ida Reindahl, who was born in the town of
Burke, Dane county, daughter of Thomas and Ingebog (Mosley)
Reindahl, who were farmers of Burke and natives of Telemarken,
Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Gilson are loyal members of the West
Koshkonong Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Gilson is a Dem-
ocrat in his political sympathies but does not desire to participate
actively in political matters.

Alois Gmeinder is a leading citizen of Sun Prairie. He comes
of a long established and well-to-do family of the kingdom of Wurt-
emburg, Germany. His paternal grandparents were Alois and
Susie (Hinkle) Gmeinder. Air. Gmeinder followed the two occupa-
tions of butcher and veterinary surgeon. His parents, Frank and
Geneveve (Wild) Gmeinder, were comfortably established in a
good home in Wurtemburg, but moved by an honorable ambition
for even better things, they disposed of their property to the extent
of about five thousand dollars, and in 1861 came to Dane county;
this continued to be their home until their death, his occurring in
1883 and hers in 1886. The subject of this sketch was the oldest
of a family of five and the only one living at the present time ; one
brother, Bennet, took part in the Civil War. He enlisted in Com-
pany-K, Second Wisconsin Infantry, and died in 1862. He is bur-
ied at Arlington Heights. Mr. Gmeinder was born July 11, 1836,
and received his education in Germany, coming to America as a
young man of eighteen, (1854). For several years he worked by

324 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

the month at Green Lake, Marquette county, and in Dane county ;
in 1861 he settled on a farm as an independent farmer and followed
that occupation for over forty years, retiring' in 1902. He owned
at one time four hundred acres of land, but upon his retirement
reserved only one hundred and sixty. He bought property in Sun
Prairie, and has a pleasant home there for his declining years. He
is a man who has won for himself the respect of the community
as a good citizen. In his earlier life he was a Democrat in his poli-
tics, but later adopted the principles of government as set forth
by the Republican party. The family are all connected with the
Catholic church. He married, in February 1868, Miss Lena
Enders, a native of Germany. Her parents, Matthew and
Kate (Cline) Enders came from Germany and settled in the town of
Springfield where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. and
Mrs. Gmeinder have had ten children, three of whom died in in-
fancy; those living are, Kate, Joseph E., Robert, Louis M., Rose,
Lena and Mary.

Lawrence A. Goebel of the town of Perry has always been a
farmer and a very successful one. His parents, Michael and Mary
Anna (Bower) Goebel, were natives of Germany and Switzerland,
respectively. Michael Goebel served his term in the German army
and came to the United States in 1845. He worked for three years
in the lead mines in the vicinity of Galena, 111. and crossed the
plains to California in 1848, at the beginning of the great western
movement to the gold mines. After a few years in the mines in
California he returned to New York, where he landed after an ocean
voyage of six months duration. At this time he was married and
brought his wife to Wisconsin, purchasing, with the gold brought
from California, a farm of eighty acres. To this more was added
until Mr. Goebel had a splendid property of six hundred acres.
From unimproved property it was slowly converted into a valuable
farm, well-equipped with buildings and machinery. This became
the permanent home of Mr. and Mrs. Goebel and here Mr. Goebel
died in 1876 and his wife in 1905. Thirteen children were born to
them ; John, who lives at Burlington, N. Dak. ; Gregor, a Roman
Catholic priest of St. Cloud, Minn. ; Michael, who lives in Sioux
City, Iowa ; Mary, Airs. Fred Turk of Waloutchee, Washington ;
Catherine, Mrs. Robert Gorst of Mazomanie ; Emerentia, who lives
with her brother Frank in the town of Perry ; Joseph, who lives in
Perry ; Lawrence A. ; Anna (deceased) ; Alois and Frank, who live
in Perry ; Teresa, Mrs. Ed Arneson of Taylor, Jackson county, Wis.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 325

Pauline, Mrs. Jacob Gerber of Neilsville, Clark county, Wis. ;
Lawrence A. was born in the town of Perry, Dane county, April 21,
1865, married May 24, 1886, and began his married life on a farm
of one hundred and twenty acres which he purchased from his
father. His wife was Miss Julia Olmer, born in Vermont township,
daughter of John and Fredricka (Degenhardt) Olmer, natives of
Germany. Six children blessed the marriage ; Matilda Pauline,
Edward, Anna Irene, Amelia Cecilia, Julia Maria and Lauretta
Teresa. The family are members of the German Catholic church.
Mr. Goebel votes the Democratic ticket on national issues but is
independent in his opinions on local government. He has never
desired to hold office. Mrs. Goebel was one of a family of four
children. Her brother, Richard Olmer, married Mary Fifer
and lives in Humphrey, Piatt county, Nebraska. Amelia is the wife
of Sam Caldwell of Humphrey. Maria married Albert Bohn of
Toronda, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Olmer came to Wisconsin in 1851,
obtained a farm of two hundred and forty acres in the town of
Vermont, Dane county, and spent the residue of their lives there.
Mr. Olmer died in 1891 and his wife in 1895. After her husband's
death Mrs. Olmer lived for a short time in Mazomanie. Both the
Goebel and Olmer families became prominent in the community
and Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Goebel are worthy successors of their
parents, always active in every worthy cause. Mr. Goebel is a
member of the Modern Woodmen.

Horace A. Goold, who is now living in retirement in the town
of Oregon, Dane county, is another of the valiant ones who re-
sponded to the call for men during the early sixties, and as a mem-
ber of a Wisconsin regiment risked his life that the nation founded
by the fathers of the Republic might continue to exist. Mr. Goold
was born in Concord township, Erie county. N. Y., December 9,
1834, and is one of seven children born to John and Fanny
(Wheeler) Goold, the father being a native of Vermont and the
mother of Massachusetts. Only two of the children of these par-
ents are now living, Cornelia, who is the wife of Yv ni. Xorthey of
North Yakima, Wash., and Horace A., who is the subject of this
review. John Goold came with his family to Wisconsin in 1842,
driving the entire distance from the state of New York, and first
selected a location in Rock county, near the present site of Johns-
town, where he preempted one hundred and twenty acres of govern-
ment land. There the family resided about three years, when the
father died. The mother then disposed of the farm in Rock county

326 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

and rented a place near the city of Madison, where she and the
children resided one year, and then removed to Lake View and later
to the town of Oregon. About two years later they moved to the
town of Union, in Rock county, then to Rutland and finally to
Grant county, where Mrs. Goold died, August 12, 1895. Horace A.
Goold was thrown upon his own resources quite early in life owing
to the poverty of his parents, and at fifteen years of age he began
working by the month as a farm hand. This he continued until
about the time of his marriage, when he purchased eighty acres ot
government land in Grant county. Later he sold this and pur-
chased forty acres in the town of Woodman, in the same county,
to which he afterward added forty acres more and continued to re-
side thereon for a period of forty-one years. In 1902 he sold this
farm and bought a very convenient home in the village of Oregon,
where he and his good wife are now enjoying a well-earned respite.
In regard to Mr. Goold's military career it can be said without
reservation that it was one of which he may well be proud.
He enlisted on August 13, 1862, as a private in Company I, Twen-
tieth Regiment of Wisconsin infantry, and served with that com-
mand until more than three months after the surrender of Lee, being
mustered out of the service on July 14, 1865, With his regiment
he participated in the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., in which his
company lost three killed and thirteen wounded, was engaged
throughout the entire siege of Vicksburg, and in the battles of
Atchafalaya, La., Fort Morgan, Ala., Brownsville, Tex., Spanish
Fort, Ala., Van Buren, Ark., Yazoo City and Franklin Creek, Miss.
Mr. Goold was married, January 27, 1856, to Miss Sarah Jane Law-
rence, daughter of Luke and Mary (Hunt) Lawrence, of Cam-
bridgeshire, England, where Mrs. Goold was born on January 24,
1839. The Lawrence family came to America in 1849, the mother
dying on the sea during the voyage. The father settled with his
children, thirteen in number, in the town of Rutland, Dane county,
and later moved to Grant county, Wis., where he died December
15, 1803. Of his children only two survive, Mrs. Goold and her
sister, Mary A. To. Mr. and Mrs. Goold there have been born
five children. Fannie Margaret, the wife of A. F. Koschkee, of
Mt. Hope, Grant county ; Melinda, the wife of A. Fleckensteine of
Chicago; Horace Luke married Miss Nellie Pratt and resides in the
town of Oregon. Fred C. married Nellie Ashmore and resides in
Grant county; and Lottie L. is the wife of H. W. Linton, of Bara-
boo, Wis. In politics, Mr. Goold is a Republican.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 327

Christ H. Gorder is a well-known farmer of Perry township,
where he settled in 1871 immediately upon his arrival in the United
States, and has lived on the same farm during almost the entire
period. He was born May 18, 1849, in Christiania, Norway, son of
Harold and Cam (Peterson) Johnson, the former a veteran of the
Norwegian army. Christ received his education in Norway and
when he came to Wisconsin in 1871 was employed for several years
as a farm laborer. Soon, however, he procured a farm in the town
of Perry, containing one hundred and twenty-five acres and began
to work it for himself, meeting with much success. This prop-
erty he has owned ever since that time though for a short period
he rented and worked at the mason's trade. Returning to farming
he made that his permanent occupation and carries on an extensive
general farming business. One brother of Christ Gorder, Hans A.,
lives in Norway and one sister, Guneil, who married Hans Hanson,
resides in Iowa. The other two members of the family are de-
ceased. Mr. Gorder married in 1871 Miss Anna Olson, a native ot
Norway and six children blessed the marriage, of whom three are
living. Clara married T. O. Thompson of Mount Horeb and
Hannah married Charles Dickinson and resides in Iowa county and
Minnie married Edward Dickinson, of Iowa. Mrs. Gorder died
and in September, 1899, her husband married Mrs. Mary (Ander-
son) Hanson, daughter of Arne and Carrie (Gilbertson) Anderson.
Three children were born to Mrs. Gorder by a former marriage ;
Hannah, (Mrs. Emil Smouldt), Clarence A. and Delia, all of whom
reside in Madison. The family attend the Norwegian Lutheran
church. Mr. Gorder is a Republican in his political sympathies but
has never devoted much of his time to active participation in poli-
tical matters.

Emil A. Grabbert, a farmer, residing at Fitchburg, was born at
Middleton, Dane county, May 20, 1879. His parents. Frederick
and Minnie W. (Lubcke) Grabbert, were both born in Mecklen-
burg, Germany, the former in 1845 and the latter in 1853. The
father came to America as a young man and located at Middelton,
where he bought eighty acres of land, partly improved, and began
the life of a farmer. Sometime later he sold this place and bought
one hundred and sixty-seven acres of unimproved land, upon which
he erected buildings and made his home. He married in 1870 and
his death occurred in 1885. In 1887 his widow was married to William
Schmedeman, who was for nine years a member of the county
board of supervisors. Emil A. Grabbert is the youngest of three

328 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

children born to his parents. Emma is the wife of Louis Messer-
smith, of Fitchburg, and Randolph is a farmer in that locality.
Emil was educated in the home schools and has always lived with
his mother, managing" the farm left by his father. He pays con-
siderable attention to stock raising", though he carries on a general
farming business. He is a member of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, belonging to the lodge at Middleton, and all the
family are members of the Lutheran church. Few young men in the
community are better known or more highly esteemed than Emil A.
Grabbert, as he possesses in a marked degree all those qualities that
go to make a good citizen, honesty and industry being his distin-
guishing traits of character.

Charles Grabow, Jr., one of the progressive and representative
farmers and stock-growers of Cottage Grove township, has gained
prosperity through his own efforts and his life has been character-
ized by unselfishness and by that sterling integrity which ever be-
gets popular confidence and esteem. He was born in Germany,
November 20, 1862, and is a son of Charles and Christine Grabow,
the former of whom passed his entire life in Germany and died in
1880, when the subject of this sketch was eighteen years of age.
Charles Grabow, Sr., served three years in the German army and his
vocation was that of farming. Charles Grabow, Jr., to whom this
sketch is dedicated, was reared on the farm and secured his early
educational training in the excellent schools of his native land.
Upon the death of his father he assumed the burden of providing
for the needs of himself and his aged mother, and in this connection
it should be noted that the latter is still living and is an honored
inmate of his home, where she is cared for with deepest solicitude
and affection in her declining years. After his father's death Mr.
Grabow secured work on a farm and he thereafter continued to be
thus employed until the time of his mariiage, after which
he worked by the day for two years. At the expiration of that time
he immigrated to America, being accompanied by his wife and her
parents. They took up their residence in Dane county, where Mr.
Grabow was employed as a farm hand for the ensuing seven years,
in the meanwhile carefully saving his earnings, so that he then was
enabled to purchase his present fine farm of eighty acres, in section
21, Cottage Grove township. He has made many improvements
on the place and is thorough and energetic in the carrying forward
of all portions of the farm work, so that his success has been pro-
nounced. He is a man of strong intellectualitv, taking- a lively in-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 329

terest in all that concerns the welfare of his home county and
state, while his generous and genial disposition has gained to him
the esteem of the community in which he resides and in which he is
regarded as a valuable citizen. He gives his support to the cause
of the Republican party and both he and his wife, as well as his
mother, are members of the German Lutheran church. June 1,
1886, Mr. Grabow was united in marriage to Miss Ernestine Sim-
don, who was born in Germany, May 8, 1864, a daughter of Chris-
tian Frederick and Henrietta Wilhelmina (Fry) Simdon, who came
to America with their daughter. Following is i. record concerning
the children of Mr. and Mrs. Grabow: Lizzie Marie, the oldest,
died in infancy ;Herman Frederick, who was born August 20, 1887,
died on the fifth of the following month ; Otto Paul, who was born
April 20, 1889. died May 21, 1890; Anna Augusta, born December
2, 1890, died April 27. 1891, and the following are the names and
dates of birth of the five living children, — Martha Lena Augusta,
February 2. 1892; Charles Frederick, December 20, 1891; William
Albert, December 29. 1896 ; Lizzie Amanda, May 16, 1898 ; and
Mary Ida Elizabeth, June 27, 1903.

Daniel Grady (deceased), son of Lawrence Grady, was born in
Ireland, one of a family of nine children. When he was eighteen
years bf age he came to America, leaving his parents in the old
country. He came to Fitchburg, Dane county, and remained for
several years with his brothers. He bought the place where the
family now reside, and which was his home at the time of his death.
December 23, 1900. Mr. Grady was twice married; his first wife
was Hannah, daughter of Patrick and Sarah (Brooks) Meehan. of
Pittsfield, Mass. Mrs. Grady's father was a native of Ireland who
settled first in Pittsfield, Mass., and came west to Richland Center,
Richland county, in 185?. He was a hotel-keeper, and followed that
business most of his life. He died in Casenovia, Richland county, in
April, 1882 ; his wife died at Baraboo. in 1881. Mrs. Grady was one
of six children : Mary, married John Regan of Milwaukee ; Michael ;
Mrs. Grady; Sarah (deceased), married Henry Reynolds; Patrick,
of Lincoln ; Catherine, married Frank Plummer, of Baraboo. Mr.
Grady had four children by his first wife : Helen of Fitchburg ;
Caroline, married Otto Vethein of Middleton ; Arthur and Willie,
twins; Arthur married Miss Alva Brown, a resident of Fitchburg
township, and Willie has a farm near Fitchburg. Mr. Grady was
married to his second wife. Mrs. Arthur Callahan, July '•>. L878 ; she
had two children, Marv and Daniel, who both died in infancy.

•330 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

They have also had four children ; one daughter, Catherine, is mar-
ried to Isaac Lewis, of Madison, and one son, Daniel, is at home.
Mr. Grady was a Democrat and a member of the town board.
George F. Grady, a farmer of the town of Dunn, was born in the
town of Fitchburg, Dane county, January 17, 1864. He is a son of
Frank M. and Antoinette (Dunn) Grady, the father a native of
Ireland and the mother of Canada. Frank Grady came to Wiscon-
sin in 1854, getting work as foreman of the "76" farm in the town of
Burke. After a few years he purchased a farm in the town of
Fitchburg, where he remained until his death on December 19,
1893, as the result of an accident while returning from Madison.
Shortly after the widow moved to Madison, and George started
life for himself. He had had splendid opportunities for an educa-
tion, but had never taken advantage of them. Until 1900 he devot-
ed his time to trotting horses and then returned to the old farm.
On December 4, 1902, he married Sarah, daughter of Michael and
Margaret (Cunningham) Lally. Mr. Lally was a native of Ireland
who first saw the light of day in August, 1822. He came to Amer-
ica in 1841, working for some fourteen years for Captain Cook of
Boston, and then coming to Wisconsin. For three years he was
employed on the William White farm and then purchased two hun-
dred and seventy acres in section 21 in the town of Dunn. Here he
remained until his death, which occurred March 9, 1895. Mr. Lally
was married three times ; his first wife was Ellen Mecarty, who
died shortly after giving birth to a son, James, now retired and
living in Grand Forks, N. D. ; he was married a second time to
Mary Ellen Kegen, the mother of Ambrose M., living in Madison ;
John, deceased, and William H., a conductor on the Chicago, Mil-
waukee & St. Paul railway, making his home in Chicago ; his third
wife, Margaret Cunningham (died in 1900), was the mother of
Sarah (Mrs. Grady), Charles, deceased, and Stephen, a farmer
near Mauston, Wis. Mrs. Grady was born June 13, 1859, and re-
ceived her education in the schools of the town of Dunn. Mr.
and Mrs. Grady have no children. Since their marriage they have
lived in the town of Dunn, on a well-improved and finely equipped
farm of one hundred and sixty acres. There are eight children in
the Grady family, seven of whom are living, — James S.. a con-
tractor of Madison; Nellie (Mrs. Martin Lyons) living in Madi-
son; George F., the subject of this sketch; Nettie, Frank T., Law-
rence Edward and Charles W., all living with the mother in Madi-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 331

son. Mr. Grady is a Democrat and takes an active interest in poli-
tical events. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church.
Patrick H. Grady is a prosperous and highly respected citizen
of the town of Oregon, in Dane county, where he has been engaged
in the noble occupation of tilling the soil for several years. He is
a native of Rutland county, Vermont, and his parents — Thomas
and Anna (Hart) Grady — were both born in the Emerald Isle.
The father first came to Wisconsin in 1857, and worked as a com-
mon laborer for about one year ; then returned to Vermont and
worked as a quarryman for sixteen years. In the month of March,
1876, he again came to Wisconsin and took up his residence at
Lake View in Dane county, where he was employed as a common
laborer for the ensuing two years. He then bought one hundred
and twenty acres of land in the town of Oregon and began general
farming. He greatly improved the farm and met with a success
that was commensurate to his efforts. He died at his home in
Oregon in August, 1904. Thomas Grady and wife were the parents
of nine children, of whom the subject of this review was the first-
born, the names of the others with additional facts concerning
them being as follows : Thomas married Jane Condon and resides
in Oregon ; William married Anna Dietrich and also resides in the
town of Oregon ; Hannah married Charles Martin and resides in
Oregon village. Bridget married George Montgomery and resides
at Lake Mills, Wis. ; Anna married Adolph Piller and resides at
Oregon village ; Maggie is the wife of Dill Joslin of Yankston. S. D. ;
Mary and Michael reside in Oregon village. Patrick Grady re-
ceived his education in the district schools of his native state, and
also attended school in Massachusetts ; where his parents resided
before removing to Wisconsin. At the age of thirteen years he be-
gan work as an employe in the cotton mills of Massachusetts, and
was thus engaged for seven years. He then came to Wisconsin and
worked on the railroad while the rails were being laid from Evans-
ville to Madison, in 1876. He continued at the railroad work for
about three years and then began working as a farm hand, continu-
ing so employed for about sixteen years, during the last five of
which he was employed at the 'asylum farm, near Madison. He
then rented a farm in the town of Springfield, on which he resided
for five years, and then moved to the town of Oregon, where he
and a brother purchased two hundred acres of land. In the divi-
sion of the same, later, our subject retained eighty-eight acres, upon
which he now resides, surrounded with a reasonable amount of the

332 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

comforts of life. The possession of these is the result of his per-
sonal efforts, aided by the counsel and sympathy of a faithful wife.
"He was married on October 16, 1894, to Miss Catherine Doylen,
born in the town of Blooming Grove, the daughter of John and
Mary (Finlay) Doylen. Mrs. Grady has two sisters, both of whom
reside in the city of Madison — Mary, the widow of Frank Roland,
and Margaret, the wife of Fred Simon. Mr. and Mrs. Grady have
four children, all of whom reside at home ; Mable, Anna C., Leo,
and Raphael F. In his political views Mr. Grady gives allegiance
to the Democratic party, and he and his wife are members of the
Catholic church.

W. F. Grady, of Oregon, was born at Bellows Falls, Vt., June 22,
1863. His father, Thomas Grady, of whom mention will be found
in connection with the sketch of Patrick Grady, and his mother
Anna (Hart) Grady, were natives of Ireland. Mr. Grady received
his education in the Oregon schools, supplementing his studies in
the Oregon high school by work in the schools of Madison and
Evansville. He came to Dane county with his parents in 1876, and
since starting out for himself at the age of twenty-two, has divided
his time between teaching and farming. He taught school at
Waunakee three, years, and has also taught sixteen winters. He
had some experience in farming during his boyhood, and turned
that knowledge to account when he decided to take up farming for
a livelihood ; that was some five years ago, and he owns at the
present time a farm of one hundred and twelve acres, mostly un-
der cultivation. Mr. Grady has been assessor of Oregon for the
past four years, and also serves as treasurer of the school funds.
He is a member of the Catholic church of Oregon. He is the third
of a family of four sons and five daughters ; their names are Patrick ;
Thomas; W. F., the subject of this sketch; Michael; Mary; Han-
nah; Bridget; Anna; Maggie. He married, October 19, 1892, Miss
Anna M. Diedrich, daughter of Peter and Katherine (Aniel) Died-
erich, who came from Germany in 1871, when Mrs. Grady was six
years old ; they settled in Dane township on eighty acres, which
they cleared and on which they built a house. They are still living
near Waunakee ; they had a family of twelve children, of whom all
except two, Anna and Casper, are living; the others are Mary;
Peter; Math.; Michael; Susan; Anna, (Mrs. Grady); Katherine;
Lena ; Joseph ; John. Mr. Grady is a member of the Modern Wood-
men of Oregon ; he and his wife have seven children, all living,
Francis D., Henry J., and William, born in Springfield, Thomas L.,

BIOGRAPHICAL. 333

born in Waunake.«i, Lillian C, Nora and John, born in Oregon.
The older children attend school in Oregon.

James Graham is a retired farmer of Stoughton and a veteran of
the Civil War. He is a native of Canada, son of Edward Graham
and grandson of Robert Graham, the latter a farmer in Canada
during his entire life. Edward Graham married Isabella Sheffield,
daughter of Robert Sheffield, also a native of Canada. Edward
Graham was born in Canada and there engaged in farming. While
a young man he served as a volunteer in the English army undei
General Brock in the war of 1812. His son James was born Sep-
tember 28, 1820, in Martin township, near Toronto, Canada, spent
his youth and early manhood at the parental home and came to the
United States in 1857. He first lived in the town of Rutland, Dane
county, and worked out by the month on farms in that neighbor-
hood. After four years of this life he commenced to work on
shares which he continued for a year. In the spring of 1862 he vol-
unteered as a private in Company D, Seventh Wisconsin Volunteer
Infantry. The regiment was active in the battle of South Mountain
and Mr. Graham participated in the battle before he succeeded
in reaching his regiment and aided in carrying from the field
wounded members of his own company without recognizing them.
He was so badly hurt at the battle of Antietam that he was obliged
to accept honorable discharge on account of disability after three
months service. Returning to Dane county he resumed farming
and from that time followed various occupations until 1904 when
when he retired from active labor. July 25. 1848, Mr. Graham
married Miss Elizabeth Wagner, daughter of Andrew and Rebecca
(May) Wagner of Canada and ten children were born to the mar-
riage: William; Eli; Hannah, the wife of Augustus Eddy; Eliza-
beth (deceased), the wife of Frederick Myers; Samuel; Bertha,
Mrs. Gilman Austin; Esther, widow of Charles Deboux ; Hiram,
Nettie (deceased), wife of John Stump; Mabel (deceased), wife of
William Coleman. Mr. and Mrs. Graham are members of the Bap-
tist church. Mr. Graham belongs to the Philo C. Buckman Post
No. 153 G. A. R. of Stoughton and is allied with the Republican
party.

James H. Greening, a pioneer farmer of the town of Mazomanie.
was born in Worcester, Worcestershire county, England, Decem-
ber 31, 1841. His father, John Greening, was born in Hereford-
shire. England, in 1815. His mother, nee Maria Kelley, was born
in Worcester, England, in 1816. John Greening was a shoemaker

334 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

by trade ; his wife was a straw braider. On June 10, 1847, with his-
family, he landed in New Orleans after a harassing passage of
seven weeks in a sailing vessel. Coming directly to Mazomanie he
settled on forty acres of section 7, and later obtained one hundred
and sixty acres more of the same section, where he built the house
in which James H. Greening still lives. Beside James H. there
were six children, Clara E., wife of Charles Kerr of Mazomanie;
Charles F., a merchant of Grand Meadow, Minn. ; Elizabeth, wife
of William S. Parr of Mazomanie ; Anna E., deceased, widow of
Frank R. Warner ; Amelia, wife of L. C. Oulmonm, Minneapolis ;.
Laura V., wife of Hon. W. A. Nowlan of Grand Meadow, Minn.
John Greening passed away February 22, 1900 ; his wife died June
18, 1897. On May 13, 1864, James H. Greening enlisted in Com-
pany K (Captain C. H. Barton), Fortieth Wisconsin Infantry
(Col. W. A. Ray) and served for one hundred days as orderly ser-
geant of his company. Wliile in the service he saw no actual fight-
ing, the regiment being assigned to guard and picket duty in the
vicinity of Memphis. It was some months before Mr. Greening re-
covered from the effects of his camp life. His education was such
as the home schools afforded. With the exception of five years
spent in the woods near Juneau, Wis., he lived with his parents until
their death. Both he and his father were stanch Republicans, and
as such James Greening has been elected, at different times, to all
of the town offices. In 1870 Mr. Greening married Ella J. Richards
of Platteville. She died in 1874. On July 15, 1890 he married
Leora M., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Moses Laws of Vermont.
This union was blessed with four sons ; J. Claude, born April 6r
1891 ; Paul Edgar, born August 1, 1892; Frank Russell, born March
29, 1894 ; Wilbur Charles, born October 15, 1895. Mr. Greening is
a member and commander of A. R. McDonald post, No. 59, Grand
Army of the Republic. He is also a member of Crescent lodge, No.
97, Free and Accepted Masons, and has been high priest of Chap-
ter 59, R. A. M. For thirty-three years Mr. Greening made a good
deal of sorghum, the superiority of which is vouched for by all
who try it.

John W. Greenman was a farmer in the town of Vienna from
18G2 until 1897, when he retired and moved to Morrisonville. He
is the son of James Greenman and grandson of Jeremiah Greenman
of Providence, R. I. Jeremiah Greenman was a soldier in the Revo-
lutionary War. James Greenman was born at Providence in 1805,.
was educated in Rhode Island and married Miss Mary Washington.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 335

White, who was born in Rhode Island in 1812. They lived for a
time in Fulton county, N. Y. and came to Dane county, Wisconsin,
in 1874. Here they lived for two years and then went to Redfield,.
S. Dak., where Mr. Greenman died in 1885 and his wife in 1890.
Of their six children, but four are living-:. James Greenman was a
carpenter. His son, John W., was born in Fulton county, N. Y.,
May 7, 1833, was educated in the home schools and learned the
blacksmith's trade. He was a manufacturer of wooden measures
in Jefferson county, N. Y., and in 1858, came to Dane county where
he engaged in farming. During one winter he resided in Aurora,
111., and also for a time he was in Columbia county, Wis. In 1862
he purchased a farm in the town of Vienna and made that his per-
manent home. He is also the owner of property in S. Dakota and
in Wood county, Wis. In 1897, he sold the farm and since then
has resided in Morrisonville. Allied with the Republican party,.
Mr. Greenman has held the office of constable and has been, treas-
urer and clerk of the school board of Vienna for twenty-one years.
January 16, 1856, he married 'Miss Melissa Tarbull, who was born
in Adams, Jefferson county, N. Y., November 21, 1839, daughter of
Obijah and Olive (Hemstreet) Tarbull, who came to Vienna from
New York in 1862. Mr. Tarbull was a veteran of the Civil War and'
three sons also served in the Union army. To Mr. and Mrs. Green-
man were born four children. Edward J. the oldest son, was gradu-
ated from the Northwestern Business College at Madison and is a
dealer in farm produce. He married Miss Viola Hyde and they
have one daughter, Edith. Edward J. Greenman resides at Bethel,.
Wood county, Wis., as does also his sister, Alice Marilla, who married
Thorben Ohnstad. Mr. and Mrs. Ohnstad have seven children ;
Addie, Jessie. Melissa, Clara, Raymond, Hazel, Leonard. Grace
Greenman, the second daughter of John W., Greenman, is Mrs. Wil-
liam Mcintosh of Lodi, Wris., and has three children ; Verna, Ed-
ward, and Lawrence. Jessie the youngest of the family, was first
married to Andrew Quammen who died in 18*92. One son, Robert,
blessed the marriage. After the death of Mr. Quammen, his widow
married Walter Sutherland of Tomah, WTis., Mr. Sutherland died
in 1902, leaving one son, Roy.

George F. Gregg, a successful farmer of the town of Madison,,
was born at Brookfield, Waukesha county, Wis., July 13. 1864.
He is the oldest child of Jefferson Gregg (see sketch) and Jennie
(Parker) Gregg. George F. Gregg received his education at the
schools near his home and later spent five years at the high school

336 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

at YVauwatosa, Wis., from which he was graduated in 1887. In
1888 he started farming in Waukesha county and two years later came
to Dane county, purchasing one hundred acres of what was known as
the Johnson farm one mile west of Forest Hill cemetery. Mr.
Gregg is a Republican in politics, in which he has always taken a
great deal of interest, and has been chairman of the town board.
He is a member of the First Congregational church of Madison.
On May 31, 1888, he married Hettie L., daughter of E. J. and
Mary A. (Mitchell) Grover. and to this marriage have been born
three children. Walter, Marian and Ralph. Mr. Gregg is a mem-
ber of Madison Camp Xo. 365. Modern Woodmen of America. His
farm is one of the best improved pieces of land in the county.

Jefferson Gregg, retired, was born in Milwaukee, Wis., August
15, 1836, his parents being of New England extraction. His father
Hendrick Gregg, born in New Hampshire in 1807, was, after his
father's death in 1816, taken to Stockbridge. Madison county, N. Y.,
where he grew to manhood. He married Clarissa M. Leland a na-
tive of Massachusetts, and in 1836 came to Milwaukee and bought
one hundred and sixty acres of canal land in Milwaukee county,
cleared one hundred acres, and in 1852 sold it to the county for a
''County Farm." He then bought about four hundred and forty
acres near Elm Grove, partly improved, and from this tract he and
his son Jefferson cut a large quantity of hard-wood timber, some
of the trees being four feet or more in diameter. He served as as-
sessor and chairman of the town board and took an active interest
in political affairs as a Democrat. He was killed in 1881 whiL
crossing the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad at Elm Grove.
His wife died the same year. She was a devoted member of
the Baptist church. They were the parents of the following
children viz : Helen, deceased ; Jefferson the subject of this sketch ;
Mary, deceased; Flarrison a miner at Deadwood, S. D. ; Sarah D.,
widow of Wells Coe, now living at Deadwood ; George, who was
killed at the battle of Murfreesboro in 1862; Ella, died in infancy;
Clara who married a man named Hanks, is widowed and is now
living at Granville, Wis.; Eewis, a farmer near Elm Grove; and
Katie, now the wife of D. K. Warren, of Wauwatosa, Wis. Jeffer-
son Gregg received a limited education in the common schools, and
continued to live with his parents until he was twenty-six years old.
He then began farming for himself near Elm Grove, until 1866
when he removed to Chippewa county which was then a wild and
sparsely settled country. This was in the pioneer days of that sec-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 337

tion. He located near Jim's Falls, established a school there, and
took an active part in developing the county. He was the first
school officer of the district. He followed farming there until 1870,
when he returned to Elm Grove in 1884. In 1888 he removed to
Dane county. Here he was actively engaged in farming for some
years, when he retired and now lives at 412 Murry street, in the city
of Madison, where he owns a comfortable residence, and also owns
other property in the city. Mr. Gregg is a Prohibitionist in his
political belief. He takes an active interest in public affairs having
served as chairman of the town board of the town of Brookfield,
and was for some time a member of the school board. In religious
matters it is no flatter}' or exaggeration to say that he is one of the
pillars of the Congregational church, in which he now holds the
office of deacon. In November, 1862, he was united in marriage to
Miss Rhoda J. Parker, and to this union have been born the follow-
ing children : George, Hendrick, Mabel and John P. George and
Hendrick are farmers in the town of Madison ; Mabel is the wife of
Lyman G. Wheeler, a prominent attorney of Milwaukee ; and
John P. is a traveling salesman and resides in Madison. All the
children are well educated, having attended the state university or
or graduated from high school. Mr. and Mrs. Gregg travel a great
deal. They have spent two winters in California and two in Florida
and Mrs. Gregg has spent one season in Europe.

Jared Comstock Gregory, one of the prominent lawyers and
citizens of Madison, Wis., was born January 13, 1823, in the town
of Butternuts. Otsego county, New York. He was the eldest son
of Ebenezer Gregory, Esq., and Millie (Maxwell) Gregory whose
father, James Maxwell, was a revolutionary soldier. He was edu-
cated at Gilbertsville academy, in his native county, and read law
with Judge Noble, of Unadilla. He was admitted to practice in
1848, and began his legal career as a member of the Otsego county
bar. Always a consistent adherent of the principles and policy of
the Democratic party, he was its unsuccessful candidate for con-
gress in the district where he resided in 1856, running far ahead of
his ticket. The following extracts are taken from a review of h!s career,
after his death, February 7, 1892, by the Hon. Silas U. Pinney, justice
of the supreme court of Wisconsin and for twenty-one years his law
partner: — "In the same year of his admission to the bar he was
married to Miss Charlotte Camp, and they made their home at
Unadilla, New York, until they settled in Madison, Wisconsin, in
1858. Three children of this marriage. — Stephen S. Gregory, one
22— iii

338 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

cf the prominent attorneys of Chicago; Charles N. Gregory, a mem-
ber of the Wisconsin bar and a gentleman of very considerable at-
tainments and reputation (at present dean of the college of law, at
the University of Iowa) ; and an unmarried daughter, Cora W.
Gregory, — with Mrs. Gregory, survive him. Upon his arrival in
Wisconsin Air. Gregory formed a law partnership with the writer,
under the firm name of Gregory & Pinney, which continued for
over twenty-one years, — other persons at different times being as-
sociated with them, — in which they secured a large practice in
important litigation and met with marked success. After July,

1879, he continued his practice with his son, Charles N. Gregory,
under the firm name of Gregory & Gregory, until the time of his
death, maintaining his former high position at the bar. From al-
most the outset, on his arrival in Wisconsin, he took high rank as
a lawyer and citizen, and soon formed extensive business and so-
cial relations, and, being a gentleman of such public spirit, he soon
became a popular and highly useful member of society in his local-
ity and one of the most prominent citizens in the state. He took
particular interest in educational affairs, and served with great
fidelity for twelve years as one of the regents of the University of
Wisconsin. Pie was of signal service in that capacity when the in-
stitution was a feeble one of uncertain promise, and until it took
acknowledged position and rank with the best educational institu-
tions of the country. In 1873 he served with ability one term as
mayor of the city; in 1881 he was the candidate of his party for
member of congress in the Madison district, — the nominal ma-
jority of the opposite party being nearly 4,000, but he was defeated
by a majority of about 1,000. He was postmaster of Madison dur-
ing the first term of office of President Cleveland, and gave great
satisfaction, administering the affairs of the office in the most
creditable manner. He had often been mentioned in connection
with other positions, and while taking an active interest in politi-
cal affairs, he avoided rather than inclined to candidacy for office.
It should be added that Mr. Gregory was a delegate from Wiscon-
sin to the national Democratic convention held at Cincinnati in

1880, and was one of the vice-presidents of the convention. When
Mr. Gregory settled in Wisconsin the condition of affairs in the
west was unpromising and full of difficulty and embarassment.
A great financial revolution had recently swept over the country
and prostrated business interests. Litigation was abundant and
more than usually unprofitable. . . . There was more experi-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 339

ence than money to be obtained in practicing law, yet it was at this
juncture that the services of a lawyer of quick business perceptions
and sound judgment were of great value. . . . He negotiated
and completed an early and therefore advantageous compromise of
our city debt, which was an enormous burden in the estimation of
men of that day He, with General George B. Smith, Judge J. C.
Hopkins, General Simeon Mills, General David Atwood and others,
was particularly active and useful in securing the location and build-
ing of railroads to and through Madison. He was prominent in the
struggle before the legislature for many years, in relation to railroad
enterprises and the disposition of the land grants; and for a long
series of years and at the time of death, he was the local^ attorney
and advisor of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Com-
pany, at Madison, and enjoyed its confidence in a very high degree.
Mr. Gregory as a lawyer was a learned, wise and prudent counsel-
lor and an efficient advocate in the trial of jury cases. He was an
agreeable and entertaining speaker and gifted with the ability to
perceive almost intuitively the considerations and motives that
influenced human conduct. He did not particularly devote him-
self to the consideration of complicated legislation or the study of
complicated legal problems, yet in all such cases his suggestions
and general views were very valuable. He chose rather to adjust
such controversies and to devote himself more particularly to the
non-contentious departments of professional life. He was emi-
nently of gentle and peaceful disposition, disposed to settle and
adjust controversies rather than litigate them ; but when he felt
compelled to a different course he was an antagonist of whom one

had need to beware In my judgment he belonged to that class

of the profession who are extremely serviceable to their clients, and
whose services do not always receive in public estimation the
acknowledgement and recognition that fidelity, integrity and ability
deserve. He was a man of many friendships, and I think he had no
enemies. Mr. Gregory was an agreeable and instructive conversa-
tionalist, and had mingled so extensively in social, business and
professional circles that he had a large fund of interesting anec-
dotes and experiences, which made his society attractive. He was
fond of society life and its enjoyments, refinements and friendships
He was of kindly, sympathetic nature ; he adhered to his old friends
and acquaintances with singular firmness, and was one ot the tru-
est of friends. He was a member of Grace Episcopal church, and

340 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

all matters which pertained to the advancement of Christian work
enlisted his active interest."

John Griffiths, deceased, one of the pioneer printers of the city
of Madison, was born in Shrewsbury, England, February 5, 1832.
•He was a son of William and Hannah (Ganon) Griffiths, also born
in England. The father was a minister of the Methodist Episco-
pal church who came to this country with his family about 1844,
landing at New Orleans and coming up the Mississippi to Fort
Madison, and thence to Madison, Wis. Both parents had brothers
serving in the English army under Wellington who were killed at
Waterloo. In the early days Mr. Griffiths was accustomed to sup-
ply pulpits around the county. He and his wife both passed away
in Madison. The public schools of Madison furnished John
Griffiths with his scholastic equipment, upon the completion of
which he served his apprenticeship as a printer. For many years
he and ex-Gov. George W. Peck worked at the case together.
When it became necessary to get recruits for the Union army dur-
ing the Civil War, by conscription, Mr. Griffiths was drafted, but
finding himself unable to leave his family he supplied a substitute.
About 1870 he retired from the printers' trade and devoted his time
to the management of his land interests, in which he was heavily
involved. On June 15, 1871, he married Sarah M., daughter of
Samuel and Cecelia (Lewis) Carman of Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
The Lewis family were the founders of Poughkeepsie and a great
great grandfather of Mrs. Griffiths, (on the maternal side) Col.
L. D. Barnett, was the representative of Dutchess county in the
Colonial Congress from 1717 to 1724. Samuel Carman was a phy-
sician who came to Wisconsin in the hope of benefitting his health
in 1853, and died here six years later. Mrs. Carman also passed
away while a resident of Madison. Mrs. Griffiths' birthplace was
Lakeville, Livingston county, New York. To Mr. and Mrs.
Griffiths were born three daughters, — Anna, now living with her
mother ; Mary Elizabeth, Mrs. Charles Palmer of Madison ; and
Katherine, Mrs. Harry Herd of Madison. Mr. Griffiths was af-
filated with the Republican party of the state, but never held office.
His death occurred August 17, 1905, at the home at 424 North
Pinckney street, where the widow still resides.

John J. Grimm, proprieter of the old and well-known bookbind-
ing concern, was born in Madison February 10, 1858. His parents
were Gottlieb and Elizabeth (Krueger) Grimm, natives of Ger-
many. Gottlieb Grimm was born March 16, 1831, and came to Mad-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 341

ison in the early forties. He was the first and for many years the
only bookbinder of Madison. For several years he was a member of
the city council and in 1875 was the city treasurer. He died Janu-
ary 27, 1903. from a stroke of apoplexy. His wife, sixty-eight years
of age, is still living in Madison. Of the eleven children of Gott-
lieb and Elizabeth Grimm eight are still living, — John J. ; Mary,
Mrs. Augustus Xebel of Madison ; Mathilda, Mrs. Michael Dieder-
ich, of Madison ; Elizabeth. Sister Devota, the mother superior at
the Chippewa' Falls Catholic school; Crescentia, widow of Mr.
Baudler, of Madison; Julia, Mrs. Thomas Revord, of Minnesota ;
Amanda, Sister Theophila, in a Chicago Catholic school ; and
Anna M., at home. Rosalia, Mrs. Henry Kessenich, of Madison,
died in June, 1906. John J. Grimm received his education in the
schools of Madison. Upon the completion of his school work he
went into his father's plant and learned the business. Later he was
taken into partnership with his father and upon the death of the
latter he assumed control of the entire business, which has grown to
large proportions under his able management. On May 31. 1881,
he married Margaret, daughter of Peter and Anna M. Zirkel. To
this union have been born seven children, — Herman J., a druggist ;
John P. and Henry G., who work with their father; Rosalia, at
home ; Matilda and Amanda school girls ; and Frances X. Like
their parents Mr. and Mrs. Grimm are members of the Catholic
church. Mr. Grimm is a member of and treasurer of the Knights
of Columbus.

Hon. Hans S. Grinde was a prominent business man and repre-
sentative citizen of De Forest from 1874, when he came to the vil-
lage, until his death April 20, 1892. He was born in Norway, the
son of Sjur L. and Gertrude (Roisum) Grinde, and was brought
by his parents to the United States in 1847. They located on a
farm in the town of Windsor and there Sjur Grinde died in 1893
and his wife in 1895. Mr. Grinde was a blacksmith but devoted his
energies principally to the care of his farm. Twelve children
were born to the Grindes, eight of whom are living. The family are
members of the Norway Grove United Lutheran church. Hans S.
Grinde was born November 27, 1845, came to Wisconsin when he
was two years old, attended school at Windsor and the Albion
Academy and was an under-graduate of Luther College of De-
corah, Iowa, and the LTniversity of Wisconsin. For a time he
taught school and in 1874, came to De Forest, where he entered
into partnership with Andrew Moldstad in a mercantile business.

342 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

After two years Mr. Grinde engaged in the lumber business and
also owned a grain elevator. For years he was employed by the
railroad company as station agent at DeForest. Always active in
political life he was elected by the Republican party to the state
legislature in 1886 and also served the town as clerk and the county
as treasurer from 1888 to 1890. May 18, 1873. he married Miss
Carrie Engeseather, who was born in Vienna, Dane county, Wis.,
July 27, 1851, daughter of Michael and Synneva (Menes) Enge-
seather, natives of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Engeseather came from
Norway to Dane county in 1845 and located on a farm in Vienna
in 1847. Here they spent the residue of their lives and Mr. Enge-
seather died in 1893 and his wife in 1905. Eleven children were
born to them and four are living. The family was prominent in
the First Lutheran church. Eight children were born to Mr. and
Mrs. Grinde ; G. Josephine, Seward C., Joseph M., Arthur I., Lau-
rence A., Hattie C, Sadie M. and Hazel C. The family is identi-
fied with the First Lutheran church of Norway Grove. Mr.
Grinde was a valued member of the community and was devoted
to its best interests for the eighteen years of his life among its peo-
ple and at his death left many friends.

Lars S. Grinde owns one of the largest farms, consisting of four
hundred and sixty-three acres, in the township of Vienna. Mr.
Grinde is a native of the town of Windsor, of which his parents,
Sjur L. and Gertrude (Johnson) Grinde were pioneers. They
were both born irt Norway and came to Windsor in 1846, where
they obtained a farm of four hundred and eighty-three acres. Of
this property their son Lars owns three hundred and sixty-three
acres. Mr. Grinde was a blacksmith as well as a farmer. Eight
of their twelve children are living. Lars S. was born in the town
of Windsor, Dane county, May 27, 1848, attended the home schools
and the University of Wisconsin and has always engaged in farm-
ing. When he was twenty-one years of age he began work upon the
farm which has since been his home and where for a number of
years he has carried on an extensive farming business. Considera-
ble stock is raised upon the farm. Mr. Grinde is an adherent to the
principles of the Republican party but not an office-holder. On
November 7, 1872, Mr. Grinde married Miss Tngeri Johnson, who
was born in Norway, December .28, 1848, daughter of Peter John-
son (elsewhere mentioned) and sister of Nels Johnson, a sketch
of whose life is published in this work. Twelve children were
born to Mr. and Mrs. Grinde. Sjur L., the oldest son is elsewhere

BIOGRAPHICAL. 343

mentioned. Peter Gifford, born March 28, 1875, was educated in
the Stoughton Academy and De Forest high school, and is a hard-
ware merchant in De Forest. Leonard Austin, born September 23,
1876, died in 1882, aged six years. Joseph Idell was born December
31, 1877, and died October 22, 1883. George A., born February 15,
1880, was graduated from the Luther College of Decorah, Iowa, and
now a student at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Chi-
cago. Gertrude Louisa, born July 21, 1882, was graduated from the
Lodi high school in 1902 and is engaged in teaching. Leonard A.,
born February 25, 1883, attended the De Forest high school.
Ida Josephine born October 5, 1884, was also graduated from the
De Forest high school and is a teacher. Joseph Herman, born
January 11. 1886. and Mabel Jorine. born May 10, 1887, are seniors
in the De Forest high school. John E., born July 14, 1889, died in
1892. aged three years. Eugene L., born October 6, 1890, is the
youngest son. The family attend the First Lutheran church of De-
Forest.

Sjur L. Grinde, a very successful young business man of Wind-
sor township, is deserving of special mention in a work of this char-
acter, for although young in years he has adready made an impress
upon public affairs and won for himself the universal respect and
esteem of the community in which he lives. He is a native of Dane
county, having been born in the township of Vienna on November
4, 1873. He is the son of Lars S. and Emma (Johnson) Grinde, the
former being also a native of Dane county, while the latter was
born in Norway, but as the parents are given special mention upon
another page of this publication a repetition in this connection is
not necessary. Sjur L. Grinde received his education in the com-
mon schools of his native township, and added to the knowledge
thus gained by taking a course at the Stoughton academy. Upon
reaching manhood he decided upon the occupation of a farmer and
followed that ancient and honorable vocation until 1901, in which
year he removed to Morrisonville and engaged in the stock busi-
ness. His intelligence, integrity and natural adaptability to the
business, united with an unflagging industry has won for him an
enviable success and given him a high standing for one of his years.
In politics he has always adhered to the principles of the Republi-
can party, and in recognition of his personal merit he has been
called to fill the position of supervisor, representing Windsor town-
ship upon the county board. In religious matters he also takes the
interest of a sood citizen, and he and familv are consistent mem-

344 HISTORY ,OF DANE COUNTY.

bers of the First Lutheran church of De Forest. Mr. Grinde was
married on November 15, 1899, to Miss Bertha Linde, daughter of
John P. Linde, who is given further mention on another page of
this volume, in the sketch devoted to A. P. Linde. Mr. and Mrs.
Grinde are the parents of three children : Lillian Irene. Ghea Dina
Estelle, and Thedora Johannes.

Charles William Grosser, deceased, died in 1903 while in the
prime of a vigorous manhood, and at a time when he had emerged
from the poverty that enthralled his youth and caused his pros-
pects to be anything but encouraging. He was born at Camp
Douglas, Wis., on October 22, 1861, and was one of seven sons of
Charles Grosser and wife, the parents being immigrants from Ger-
many. The subject of this review received a limited education in
the schools of Camp Douglas, and at the early age of fifteen years
left home and began his independent career. He first worked as a
farm hand by the month and day, and continued so employed until
1880, in which year he located in the city of Madison and for four
years worked as a helper on the Science Hall building of the Uni-
versity of Wisconsin. He then removed to the town of Fitchburg
and worked as a farmer for L. E. Stone for a period of one year,
after which he returned to Madison, where he worked as a laborer
for two years. He then removed to the farm upon which his
widow now resides, in the town of Dunn, and there followed the
occupation of farming until his death. May 9, 1903. Since that
sad event Mrs. Grosser has continued to manage the farm, renting
the fields to other parties and retaining for her own use a small
tract for gardening purposes. The maiden name of Mrs. Grosser
was Amelia Lipke. She was born in the city of Madison, May 22.
1864. and is one of seven daughters born to William and Louisa
Lipke, former residents of Madison. Of these seven daughters nut
two are now living: Gusta, who is the widow of Henry W. Beglinger
and resides in the city of Madison, and Amelia, who is the widow
of the subject of this review. Of the seven sons in the Grosser
family all are living, excepting Charles, our subject. Mr. and Mrs.
Grosser became the parents of two children, Lillian and Sadie, both
of whom reside at home with their mother. Mr. Grosser was a
Democrat in his political affiliations and his religious faith was ex-
pressed by membership in the German Lutheran church, to which
his wife and daughters also belong.

Carl F. Gruendler, an enterprising carpenter and contractor of
Madison, was born August 6, 1S.*>7, in Germany on the Rhine.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 345

His parents were Fred and Hannah (Schweickert) Gruendler, both
natives of the Yaterland. The father's vocation was that of farm-
ing, and he followed it all his life. He passed away in his sixty-
ninth year and his wife while in her sixty-eighth. Of the eight
children there are but two survivors^ Rose, the only other beside the
subject of this sketch, making her home in her native land. .A
brother Fred, immigrated to the United States in 1892, and four
years later succumbed to typhoid fever. Hi's widow, Anna (Ko-
pitch) Gruendler, returned to Germany with her two children after
his death. Carl F. Gruendler received what education the schools
of his native land afforded and learned his trade across the water.
Up to 1882, the year of his immigration to this country, he "hired
out." His first location was in Madison, and he has been a useful
citizen of the community ever since. For twenty years after his
arrival he worked for contractors and in 1892 "set up" in business
with a partner. After four years he assumed the management of
the business alone. His specialty is the building of residences, of
which a great many in Madison are monuments to his skill and
handiwork. In 1883 he was united in marriage to Wilhelmina
Schmieder, a native of the German empire, and a daughter of
Stephen and Louisa (Hauser) Schmieder. She crossed the ocean
alone in 1883, her mother following in 1897. The latter now makes
her home on a farm in Dane county with another daughter, Mrs.
Rosa Koltes. There were eight children in the Schmieder family,
of whom six are living. Louisa, Mrs. Schallich, resides in Cali-
fornia. Carl Schmieder lives in Calhoun, Wis. Matilda, wife of
Daniel Hoover, and Amelia, wife of Adolph Kuelling, live in Ger-
many. Mr. and Mrs. Gruendler have six children. Charles John is
a press-feeder, living in Madison. Fred H. is a machinist work-
ing for the Scanlan-Morris company. Adolph Victor is employed
in the German American bank. The others are Rosa Louisa, Al-
bert Victor and George. Mrs. Gruendler is a member of the Holy
Redeemer Catholic church. Her husband is a member of the
Modern Woodmen of America, the Turnverein and the Maenner-
chor. A modest, retiring but substantial citizen he has won the re-
spect of all with whom he has come in contact.

G, T. Gullickson, a well known farmer in the town of Pleasant
Springs, was born on July 1, 1850, in the neighborhood where he
now lives. His father, Thurston Gullickson, was born in Tele-
marken, Norway, but came while still a young man to America.
After locating at Pleasant Springs he married Thirbur Halverson,

346 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

also a native of Telemarken, bought one hundred and eighty acres
of unimproved land in section 15, and there lived until his death
in 1875. His widow is now living in the town of Burke with a son.
They were members of the Lutheran church and were the parents
of eight children, viz: Gulick T., the subject of this sketch; Isa-
bella living in Clark county, Wis. ; Halvor, a farmer in the town of
Pleasant Springs ; Ole, also a farmer in the same vicinity ; George
and Henry, farmers in the town of Burke; Martha, living in the
town of Burke, and Julia, at Stoughton. Gulick T. Gullickson re-
ceived a moderate education and lived with his parents until he at-
tained his majority. He then bought seventy-five acres of land
from his father and lived npon it for two years, when he sold it
and bought one hundred and forty acres where he now lives. This
place he has improved until he has one of the best farms in the lo-
cality. He raises all kinds of grain and tobacco, and does a gen-
eral farming business, also paying some attention to dairying and
.stock raising. He is a Republican in his political views and a mem-
ber of the Lutheran church. On July 16, 1876. he married Ellen,
daughter of Iver and Maren Olsen, natives of- Norway, who came
to this country in 1867 and located at Stoughton, where both
passed the rest of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Gullickson have eight
children, viz: Tillie, Gerena, Thomas, Ole, Julius, Malida, Ella
and Harold. Tillie is the wife of Ole Loftus of Monroe county,
AYis., and the others are at home, attending the home schools.

Ole E. Gulseth is a well known and successful .resident of Dane
county. From his early youth he carried on an extensive farming
business in the town of Christiania but in recent years has been
more interested in the real estate business and now makes his
home in Madison. With his parents Even Erickson and Gunild
(Harrison) Gulseth. he came to the United States in 1849 when he
was eleven years old. Even Gulseth was a farmer in Gulseth, Nor-
way, and brought six children to American on a sailing vessel. After
a stormy voyage they landed in New York and continued their jour-
ney as far as Whitewater, Wis., where they purchased a farm. For
fifteen years this was the home of the family and then the parents
moved to Utica. where they lived with their son Erick until the
death of Air. Gulseth in 1877 and that of his wife in 1878. Six chil-
dren were born to them. Harris is a farmer and painter of Iola,
Wis. Esther married Andrew Ingebrigtson of Whitewater. Marie
married Andrew Holverson. both of whom are deceased. Eric Even-
son was a farmer in section 31, Christiania, and married Kissen Nel-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 347

son. Halvor lived in Albion, married Tora Matteson and died in
1905; his widow still lives oh the farm in Albion. Ole E. was born
June 16, 1838, attended the home schools when possible but owing
to the change of residence of his parents opportunity for school at-
tendance was limited. At the age of twenty-three years he left
home and obtained a farm in Pleasant Springs, where he lived until
1863. when he purchased his present home. The farm in Chris-
tiania consists of one hundred and fourteen acres upon which all the
improvements have been made by Mr. Gulseth. In December,
1860, he married Miss Ingeborg Johnson, who came from Holden,
Norway, with her parents, Amund Erickson and Lieve (Dorhalt)
in 1844. The marriage was blessed with ten children. The older
•ones. Lavina, Amelia and the next daughter, also named Amelia, and
Maria are deceased. Martin E. married Miss Sarah Berge of
Deerfield, who died in 1904 leaving two children, Olen Jerome
and Inestheny. Amelia Josephine married Edward Fods, a car-
penter of Stoughton. They have had three children ; Russell, Lloyd
and Eva Josephine, the last of whom is deceased. Alfred S. married
Miss Samanda Brickson of Madison, and has three children ; Oscar
is a farmer of Sun Prairie and married Miss Clara Bjornstad. Mel-
ward G. is a farmer of Madison. Thea is the wife of Thomas Hal-
vorson of Madison. Mr. Gulseth and his family have always been
loyal members of the Pleasant Springs church. Mr. Gulseth is a Re-
publican but has never desired office.

Rev. Severin Gunderson is one of the most popular citizens of
the village of Mt. Horeb and is a recognized leader in church and
educational affairs. He was born June 13. 18-*>4, in Bergensteft.
Norway, and at the age of fifteen years went to Bergen, the capital
city of the province, where he secured employment as clerk in a
grocery store. Later he worked in a wholesale and retail estab-
lishment and remained in the city until 1871, when he emigrated
to America, his chief purpose being to prepare himself for the
ministry. Upon his arrival in the United States he at once entered
Luther college at Decorah. Iowa, and remained as a student
there five years. Later he spent three years at the Lutheran sem-
inary in Madison, Wis., and was ordained at La Crosse in 1882.
His first charge was that of the Norwegian Lutheran church at
Madison, where he remained eight years, and in 1890 he removed
to Mt. Horeb to take charge of the congregations in Springdale,
Blue Mounds, Vermont and Black Earth, also serving a congre-
gation at Mt. Horeb four years. He was one of the chief pro-

3-48 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

moters of the Mt. Horeb Lutheran academy at the latter place.
Rev. Severin Gunderson was married September 28, 1882, to Miss
Clara Antona Widsted, who is a native of Hammerfest, Norway,
the most northern city in the world. To this union there have
been born eight children: Sophia, Gerhard (deceased). Dorothea
(deceased), Valborg, Dorothea, Gerhard, Sigurd,, and Hector, all
of the surviving ones remaining at home with their parents. Rev.
Severin Gunderson takes great interest in everything that con-
tributes to the moral and material betterment of the community in
which he resides. He pays considerable attention to affairs of a
public nature, and in his political views he gives allegiance to the
principles of the Republican party.

John D. Gurnee was born in Rockland county. N. Y., December
25, 1831, and was the oldest child of Daniel S. and Abigail (Wood-
ward) Gurnee, who were also natives of that county. Their an-
cestors were of Huguenot descent, and were prominent residents
and land-owners in that section of the Empire state. The name of
Gurnee in Rockland county was an insignia of prominence and char-
acter, and John D. Gurnee's native ability and worth came to him
as an inheritance. Daniel S., his father, a fine scholar, largely
self-made, was well read in history, national affairs, politics and
theology. He died in Brooklyn in 1873 at the age of seventy-five
years. The mother of John D. Gurnee, a woman of the highest
Christian character, beloved by all who knew her, died while the
future distinguished Madison citizen was yet a boy, but from her
he inherited the kindness and gentleness of spirit for which he was
noted. His grandfather, on his father's side, was Judge John J.
Gurnee, after whom he was named. During the Revolutionary
War, General La Fayette was entertained for six weeks at the home
of Judge Gurnee, and on the general's return to France he in-
sisted on his host returning with him to claim an estate of im-
mense value, to which General La Fayette assured him he was
heir, but the trials incident to an ocean voyage in those days
caused him to decline. John D. Gurnee was graduated from
Princeton University in 1854, and afterward studied law with Judge
Hasbrouck of Newburgh, N. Y. Immediately after being ad-
mitted to the bar, he came west and setttled in Madison in 1857,
where he at once entered upon the practice of his profession. For
a number of years he gave much of his time to the investment of
large sums of money in real estate in Wisconsin, and the attention
he gave to that business caused him to withdraw from more active

BIOGRAPHICAL. 349

professional pursuits. In later years his inclinations led him to
devote his time largely to the quiet of office practice, and he seldom
participated in the labor and worry of jury trials. He enjoyed
the confidence of his professional associates and all business men
who availed themselves of his counsel in difficult matters. He
was industrious and untiring in his pursuits, honorable in all the
relations of life, and was distinguished for his ability and his safe
and wise counsels. Mr. Gurnee took a lively interest in public
affairs, but was little inclined to hold office himself. He accepted
the nomination for the assembly from the Democratic party in 1871,
and served during the session of 1872, devoting himself closely to
the affairs of legislation and enjoying the fullest confidence of his
associates and constituents. He was appointed by Governor Wash-
burn a member of the park commission, and aside from those al-
ready mentioned held no official positions. He severed his con-
nection with the Democratic party in 1896. and thereafter took no
active part in political affairs. In 1863 Mr. Gurnee married Miss
Madeline M. C. Reynolds of Madison, Wisconsin, and she with
three sons survive him, Daniel C, with Armour & Company of
Chicago; John S., who is a wholesale merchant in California, and
Paul D., all of whom were born, reared and educated in Madison.
An only daughter, Anna Breese, died in 1880, while yet in her girl-
hood. Aside from his immediate family, Mr. Gurnee is also sur-
vived by an only sister, Martha Antoinette, wife of Rev. A. Messier
Quick, of Brooklyn, N. Y. Paul D. Gurnee, one of the promising
young men of the city of Madison, was born in that city March 31,
1872, and was educated in the public schools and at the University
of Wisconsin, and was graduated from' the law department of the lat-
ter institution w!th the class of 1900. In politics he gives allegiance
to the principles of the Republican party, particularly to those cham-
pioned by the junior senator from Wisconsin, Robert M. La Fol-
lette. He was appointed to the position of actuary of the de-
partment of insurance of Wisconsin on November 1, 1905. His
social affiliations are with the Phi Delta Theta of the university,
the Phi Delta Phi of the law alumni, and he is also a member of
the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Gurnee resides
with his mother at 115 East Gilman street, in Madison.

Hans C. Guthaug is the owner of a farm of three hundred and
fifty acres in the town of Perry, in which locality he has lived ever
since he came to the United States in 1878. He was born in Nor-
way, May 20, 1843, son °f Christopher and Martha (Erickstead) Lar-

350 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

son, natives of Norway. Both father and son served in the Norwe-
gian army, the former five years and the latter one year. In 1878,.
the year of his marriage, Hans determind to come to America and
upon his arrival in Dane County commenced to work out as a farm
hand which occupation he continued for four years. He then pur-
chased a farm of eighty acres in Perry township, improved the prop-
erty and made it his home for eighteen years. After selling this farm
he bought one hundred and twenty-six acres which is his present
home and a short time ago added another tract of one hundred and
twenty-six acres. This large and valuable farm is the reward of years
of perseverance and industry on the part of Mr. Guthaug and is evi-
dence of the wisdom of his judgment in farm affairs. May 8, 1878,.
Mr. Guthaug married Miss Mary Olson, born in Norway, Nov. 14,
1858, daughter of Ole and Martha (Omansdauter) Hanson of Nor-
way. Six children were born to the marriage; Betsey Matilda, the
wife of Arne Anderson of Clark county, Ole Christian, James Gus-
tave, Clara Otilda, Lena Estella and Hilda Maria. All but the oldest
daughter reside with their parents. Mr. Guthaug was the fifth child
of a family of eleven, of whom but three are living. Mrs. Guthaug
has three sisters and one brother, all of whom came to America. Car-
rie is Airs. Olaf Lacken of Blue Mounds. Hans Edset is a resident
of Primrose, Anna is Mrs. Oneson and lives in Clark county, Wis.
Lena lives in Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Guthaug are identified with the
Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Guthaug is a republican in his
political affiliations.

Alois Haack, one of the representative farmers and dairymen of
Cross Plains township, was born in Germany, December 6, i860, and
is a son of Alois and Justina Haack, who were likewise born in that
same section of the German empire, where the father followed agri-
cultural pursuits until 1852, when he came with his family to America,,
locating in New York city, where he was employed in a glass manu-
factory three and one-half years, at the expiration of which he re-
turned to the old home in Germany, where he passed the remiander of
his life, both he and his wife dying in 1891. They were communi-
cants of the Catholic church. Of their five children the subject of
this sketch was the third in order of birth. August, Julius and Lud-
wig are deceased, and Justina still resides in Germany. Alois Haack
was afforded the advantages of the schools of his fatherland, where
he was reared to matur'ty and where he learned the trade of shoemak-
ing. The confinement incidental to this vocation caused his health to
become impaired, and in 1884 he came to Amerca and took up his resi-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 351

dence in Dane county, Wis., where he has since continued to make his
home and where he has gained the unqualified esteem of those with
whom he has been thrown in contact. He purchased one hundred and
forty acres of land in section 16, Cross Plains township, where he has
developed a valuable farm, upon which he has made good improve-
ments in the way of buildings and other permanent appurtenances.
He gives his attention to diversified agriculture and to dairying and
has been zealous and constant in his application to work, having
gained independence and prosperity through his own efforts. He
gives his allegiance to the Democratic party but has never sought or
held office of any description. He and his wife are communicants of
the Catholic church, being members of the parish at Pine Bluff. In
1887 Mr. Haack was united in marriage to Miss Annie Kalshire, who
died in 1892, being survived by three children, — Peter, Frank and
Mary. For his second wife Mr. Haack married Miss Annie Holtz, a
native of Dane county, and they have three children, — Justina, John
and Matthew.

Gustave Haack is a successful and popular business man in the
village of Pine Bluff, Cross Plains township, where he has a well
equipped establishment. He was born in Reidern, Bavaria.
Germany, February 3, 1867, and is a son of Isadore Haack who passed
his entire life as a forester in the Forest of Liningen at Auerbach,.
passing away November 16, 1905. But few representatives of the
family have come to America. Frank Haack, a brother of the sub-
ject of this sketch, was a resident of California at the time of his death,,
having there been identified with the hotel business. Gustave Haack
was reared to maturity in his native land, where he received some-
what limited educational advantages and where he learned the carpen-
ter's trade. In 1889 he came to the United States, landing in the
city of New York May 3. He was engaged in farming in Butler
county. Pa. until 1893, when he came to Dane County, Wisconsin,
being employed at Mount Horeb about one year, after which he passed
a brief interval in Pennsylvania. Upon his return to Dane county
he located in the city of Madison and opened a grocery store at 301
Frances street. Three years later he removed to 610 University ave-
nue, where he was engaged in the same line of enterprise for the ensu-
ing two years. He then sold his property and business in the capi-
tal city and removed to Pine Bluff, where he has since conducted a
general store, and where he has been successful in his efforts.
He is a skilled artisan at the carpenter trade, and followed the
same at intervals for a number of years. He is independent in poli-

352 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

tics, and both he and his wife are communicants of the Catholic
church, holding membership in St. Mary's church, in their home town.
November 10, 1897, was solemized the marriage of Mr. Haack to
Miss Anna M. Link, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Link, of Madi-
son, and of this union have been born four children all of whom are
living, — Louis G., Raymond A., Marion G. and Elizabeth Anna Cas-
ilia. Yolkin Kukenbrand, grandfather of Mrs. Haack, was born in
Bavaria in 1815 and came to this country in 1843 settling at Hampton,
Portage county, where he died December 18, 1895 being in his eigh-
tieth year. His wife preceded him by eighteen years.

John H. Hagenah, traveling salesman for the J. I. Case plow
works of Racine, Wis., whose home in Madison is at 1044 Jenifer
street, was born near Hanover, Germany, January 28, 1844. His
parents were Christopher and Elizabeth (Oehlers) Hagenah, both
deceased. Christopher Hagenah was a German farmer who set-
tled in Reedsburg, Wis., on his arrival in this country. He was
widely and favorably known around Reedsburg and for a time was
the chairman of the town board. His death occurred at the home
of his son in 1888. His wife passed away just a week after land-
ing in the the United States. The subject of this sketch was the
eldest of their five children. Of the remaining children the follow-
ing facts are of interest. Peter, born in 1847, died in 1903 in Reeds-
burg. Claude was killed in the latter seventies in a railroad ac-
cident on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. Henry, a travel-
ing salesman for the McCormick Farm Implement company,
resides at Hillsboro, Wis. George is a retired business man who
makes his home in Reedsburg. John H. Hagenah received his ed-
ucational advantages in German schools. In January, 1867, he
immigrated- to this country and a year later went to Kilbourn City,
where he became clerk in the Tanner House. The following year
he went to Baraboo, and the next year removed to Chicago. His
employment there was with the Elder & Taylor hardware com-
pany. In 1870 he settled in Reedsburg. where his father had
located, and with a partner established the hardware concern of
Hagenah, Gifford & Company. This business continued until 1888
and in 1889 Mr. Hagenah came to Madison. For three years he
was traveling salesman for the David Bradley Manufacturing com-
pany of Kankakee. 111., and then assumed his present position writh
the J. I. Case establishment. While a resident of Reedsburg he
was chairman for one year of the village board and for two years
was town treasurer. He also belonged to the consreeration of St.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 353

John's church. On April 26, 1878, Mr. Hagenah was united in
marrage to Miss Catherine Meyer, also a native of Hanover, Ger-
many, and a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Meyer. Mrs. Meyer
died in September, 1905, in her eighty-fifth year. Her husband,
although eighty-five years of age, is an active farmer residing near
Logansville, Wis. To Mr. and Mrs. Hagenah have been born five
children. Two died young, Alvin when nine months old and
Ralph in his twelfth year. The latter was a boy of exceptional
promise. Clara, the eldest, is the wife of Philip Kuehne, secre-
tary-treasurer of the Madison Dairy Produce Company of Madison.
A sketch of William J., the only son living, appears elsewhere in
this volume. Alma, the youngest, is at present traveling in
Europe. Mrs. Hagenah is a member of the Lutheran church.
Her husband is a member of the Independent Order of Good For-
esters, of which organization he has been noble grand, a member
of the A. O. U. W.. is a thirty-second degree Mason, and a mem-
ber of the Wisconsin consistory. He is a man of whom nothing
but good is spoken, a thorough gentleman and a wholesome citizen,
^illiam J. Hagenah, deputy commissioner of labor and industrial
statistics and one of the leaders of the coming generation of bar-
risters, was born in Reedsburg, Sauk county, Wis., Jan. 25, 1881.
He is a son of John Henry and Catherine (Meyer) Hagenah.
William J. Hagenah was educated in the Madiscn schools, graduat-
ing from the English and science courses of the high school in 1899.
In 1903 he was graduated from the academic department of the Uni-
versity of Wisconsin with the degree of B. L. Two years later he com-
pleted 'the law course in the same institution and was given the degree
of LL. B. On March 7, 1906, he was made deputy commissioner of
labor and industrial statistics and has been serving in that capacity
since. From 1903 until his appointment to his present position he
served as statistical clerk in the same department, keeping up his
studies in the law school. Mr. Hagenah is a member of the Evan-
gelical church and of the Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity. During
his collegiate course he was one of the leaders of the university on the
forensic platform. He was leader of the debating team representing
the University of Wisconsin which in 1903 defeated a team from
the University of Iowa and the following year was on the team which,
debated with and defeated the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
in 1904. He was one of the orators in both the 1903 and 1905 com-
mencements and in 1901 was a member of the joint debate team. At
present he is a special investigator for the Pennsylvania society for
23— iii

354 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

the prevention of cruelty to children. He was a delegate froim the
state at large to the national convention of charities and corrections
held at Philadelphia, May 9 to 16, 1906. Mr. Hagenah is unmarried.
His friends predict a brilliant future for him.

Stephen Haight, who owns and operates a large farm in the town
of Christiania is a native of Wisconsin and son of one of its pioneers.
His father, John T. Haight, was a native of Monkton, Vermont, and
married Miss Elizabeth Holmes of the same place. He came to Wis-
consin in 1832, lived at Fort Atkinson and Koshkonong, where he
owned a farm and became prominent in territorial and state affairs.
As attorney and surveyor he was interested in land titles in the new
country, where much litigation ensued and he also took a prominent
part in politics. A Democrat in political affiliations he represented
his district in the legislature and held many minor offices. Five chil-
dren were born to John Haight and wife; Mary E., who lives at the
old home; Julia, also at home; Ann, the wife of George Pounder of
Fort Atkinson, Wis. ; John T., who farms the old homestead and
Stephen, the subject of this sketch. Stephen was born at Kosh-
konong, Jefferson county, Wis., June 23, 1843, received such education
as the schools of the district afforded at that time and lived at home
until he was thirty-two years of age. In October, 1874, he married
Miss Etta Ives and came to Dane county, town of Christiania, where
he purchased a farm which has ever since been his home. Mrs.
Haight is the daughter of Gideon and Mary Ann (Silverton) Ives,
who were early settlters of Jefferson county. Mr. Ives was a native
of Connecticut and Mrs. Ives of Canada. The marriage was blessed
with four children; John T. is the principal of the Cambridge high
school. He married M'ss Augusta Granger. George I. is a lawyer
with offices at 134 S. Clark St., Chicago, 111. He was educated at
Fort Atkinson, Madison and the Northwestern University, at Evans-
ton, and has been in Chicago engaged in the practise of law since
1889. W. Harrison attended the University of Wisconsin and was
a student in the Northwestern University law school, where he was
graduated with the class of 1906. Bert S. attended the agricultural
college of the University of Wisconsin and is engaged with his father
n the management of the farm. A large general farming business is
carried on by the father and son and considerable tobacco raised, but
their specialty is butter-making in which they are very successful.
For seventeen years the butter from their farm has been shipped, to
Congle Bros, of Chicago, 111. Mr. Ha'ght has a splendid farm of
iwo hundred forty-five acres with one hundred sixty-five acres under
cu1iivation and raises a fine breed of Holstein cattle and also Poland

BIOGRAPHICAL. 355

China hogs. Mr. Haigh't is a member of the Fort Atkinson Blue
Lodge No. 139 of the Masonic Order and takes much interest in its
affairs.

John P. Halbach, the genial and efficient sheriff of Dane county
during the term of 1905-1906, was born in Louisville, Ky., June 10:
1861. He was a son of Lewis and Henrietta (Stoltz) Halbach,
natives of Germany. The father was born April 26, 1836, at Bruck-
muekl-bach, Rhein Bavaria, and lost his life while working in a
foundry, a heavy casting falling upon him and crushing him. His
wife died a year previous, aged thirty-eight, leaving six children, —
Lewis, now deceased ; Henrietta, now deceased ; John P., the sub-
ject of this sketch ; Catherina, wife of Dr. Embery of Chicago ; Ed-
ward Charles, superintendent of the Winslow Bros, company of
New York ; and William, now foreman of a printing establishment
in San Antonio, Tex. Two other children, an infant and Michael
Lewis, passed away before the death of their mother. John P.
Halbach received his education in the common schools of Louis-
ville, Ky. There, also he learned the trade of harness maker. On
coming to Madison he established the John J. Halbach Harness
company, and has since successfully maintained it. Politically he
is a Republican and before his elevation to the office of sheriff had
served two terms as supervisor from the fourth ward of Madison.
On May 29, 1882, Mr. Halbach married Cora, daughter of Zachariah
and Martha Ramsdale. Mr. Ramsdale died October 5, 1901. aged
sixty-eight years. Mrs. Ramsdale is still living and makes her
home with her daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Halbach have one son,.
Lewis Frank, a pupil in the high school. The sheriff is a member
of the Masonic fraternity, the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks, and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mrs. Halbach is a
member of the Episcopal church.

Francis Waterbury Hall, an attorney-at-law, member of the firm-
of Tenney, Hall & Tenney and one of the leading members of the
Madison bar, is descended through a long line of American ancestry,,
being the eighth generation of the Waterbury family in America. He
was born in the town of Medina, Dane county, Wis., Feb. 4, 1853,
and is the son of Sylvester and Rebecca (Waterbury) Hall, the father
being a native of Deerfield, N. Y., born August 23, 1807, also belong-
ing to an old colonial family, and the mother a native of Massena,
N. Y., born June 24, 1810. Sylvester Hall was the son of Benjamin
G. and Esther (Taylor) Hall, the former having been born in Rhode
Island in 1772. The Waterbury family — the maternal ancestry — was

356 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

founded in America by John Waterbury, who came to Massachu-
setts, and a little later to Stamford, Conn., in 1646, and the com-
plete ancestral line from him to Francis W. Hall is as follows : 1st,
John; 2nd, David; 3rd, John; 4th, Isaac; 5th, Peter; 6th, Sliadrach;
7th, Rebecca; 8th, Francis Waterbury. Sergeant David Waterbury,
the second in the Amierican line, was an officer in the colonial wars
and it is from his services that the descendants of the present gener-
ation are entitled to membership in the colonial patriotic societies.
The Waterbury family rendered conspicuous service during the Revo-
lutionary War. In "Heroes of the Revolution" the following state-
ment is found: "There were four John Waterburys in the army, known
as John, John, Jr.; John, 2nd; and John, 5." Of the one known as
"John 2" it is said, "Although he was fifty-eight years old at the be-
ginning of hostilities, he shouldered his musket and marched with
the younger men." There were a number of other Waterburys in the
Revolution, — most of them from Stamford, Conn., and among them
Gen. David Waterbury, who raised the first regiment for the defense
of New York, and Peter Waterbury, of whom there is found the fol-
lowing in the Public Records of Connecticut, Vol. 2, under date ol
October, 1779 : "Upon a memorial of Peter Waterbury, of Stamford,
and Jesse Waring of Norfolk, showing the assembly that they be-
longed to the coast-guards and were captured at Stamford and are
now confined in the sugar-hause in New York and held as hostages,"
etc. Then follows an appeal for an exchange for two men named
Hoit, and the record concludes: "Resolved by this assembly that his
Excellency, the Governor, be, and hereby is, empowered and requested
to make an exchange of said Waterbury and said Waring for said
Hoits." Additional authority obtained from the town clerk's office of
Stamford, from the "History of Stamford" and from the family
records, identify this Peter Waterbury as the son of Isaac Waterbury
the great grandfather of F. W. Hall of this sketch. Francis Water-
bury Hall received his education at the Waterloo academy, the Eau
Claire seminary and the University of Wisconsin, receivng
from the last the degrees of A. M. and LL. B. He fitted himself for
the practice of the legal profession and was admitted to the bar in
1876, in Madison, where he practiced until 1879, and then removed
to Portage, Wis., where he entered the ministry and officiated as pas-
tor of the Methodist Episcopal church of that place for the ensuing
three years. In 1883 he returned to Madison and resumed the prac-
tice of law and has since been so engaged, his business connections
having been as follows:' Hall & Hand; Sanborn & Hall; Smith, Rogers

BIOGRAPHICAL. 357

& Hall ; Rogers, Hall & Donovan ; Bushnell, Rogers & Hall ; Hall &
Sheldon ;F. W. Hall ; Tenney, Hall & Tenney ; Tenneys, Hall, & Swan-
son; and Tenney, Hall & Tenney. Any sketch of Mr. Hall's life
which excluded his work as a teacher of Biblical law and literature
would be incomplete. For a number of years he gave a course of lec-
tures before the students of ancient classical literature of the Univer-
sity of Wisconsin, on "Spirit and Prominent Characteristics of the
Hebrew Code," "Public Insitutions Developed by the Code," "Com-
parison between the Hebrew Code and the Fundamental Elements of
Common Law," and "Hebrew Law in Civilization." A similar course
developing somewhat more the literary characteristics of the Bible
was given before the Biblical Literature department of the Downer
College Endowment Association .and at Lawrence University. Pres-
sure of other work :has compelled Air. Hall to decline many other invi-
tations to lecture along this and other lines, although he has fre-
quent calls both as a lyceum and campaign speaker; but he still re-
tains his position as teacher of the students' class in the Meth-
odist Episcopal church, and has won in that work a national reputa-
tion. The class grew from about forty to one hundred and fifty with
an average attendance of about one hundred. Mr. ,Hall uses the
methods of the lawyer in the presentation of his lesson. A correspon-
dent of the Sunday School Times says, "The central theme is seized
upon at the start, details being grouped so* that it progressively
stands out in bolder lines. Vividness is at the same, still farther in-
creased by keen analytical questions, aptly put, that connect the
theme with events within the experience, reading or imagination of
his class." His "Lawyer's Notes on the International Lessons" have
received very wide and favorable comment. Many of his students be-
long to the law college and through them he exerts a wide influence
which will be felt in the moral attitude of the Wisconsin bar of the im-
mediate future. In politics Mr. Hall is independent, although in re-
cent years he has usually voted with the Republican party and was a
delegate tothe national convention at Chicago in 1904 He has al-
ways declined to enter the field of politics as an aspirant for office,
but ,has nevertheless taken an active part in all movements, political
or other, pertaining to good government and the betterment of social
conditions. During the struggle over the freight commission bill
in 1903, in his speech before the assembly committee, the press of the
state accredited him with "a speech so much more able than any other
that has been made before any legislative committee recently as to be
in a class by itself," and also "that it is sufficient for any one man to

358 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

be known as the man who made that speech." He has contributed
much to the advancement of the city of Madison, especially in the
movements connected with the development of the public library and
the establishment of the city hospital. The former he served as sec-
retary for nineteen years, during- which time the beautiful new build-
ing was erected; on the board of the latter he has served since its in-
ception, selecting the site, and obtaining an option upon it. He was
secretary for about three years — the difficult years of establishing the
enterprise in public favor — and has since served as vice-president,
treasurer and president, having held the last position for two years,
and being at the present time at the head of the hospital board. His
versatility is shown by his activities in these widely varying lines, in
all of which his personality is strongly felt ; and to intellectual ability of
unusual grasp and analytical power he has added the culture of ex-
tensive travel and wide reading. Mr. Hall was married, November
26, 1875, to Miss Mary J. Tuttle, a class-mate in the University, and
a daughter of Stephen L. and Ann (Brabb) Tuttle, of Rockford, Kent
county, Mich. Mrs. Hall belongs, on her father's side, to one of the
most widely-known of the colonial families, and on her mother's, to
one of the "county" families of Yorkshire, England. No children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hall but they have an adopted son, Laur-
ence Waterbury Hall, born March 15, 1899. Mr. Hall is a member of
the Madison Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons.

George W. H. Hall has spent all his life in Albion on the farm
where he was born and is a well-informed and successful farmer.
His farm contains two hundred and seventy acres, of which about
two hundred and thirty are under cultivation and he has a fine
equipment. Mr. Hall raises good crops of tobacco, grain, hay, etc.,
but devotes himself particularly to his stock, raising fine pure-bred
short-horned cattle and Poland China hogs. Part of his large
property he leases to a tenant and manages the remainder himself.
George W. H. is the son of Samuel Hall of England and Ann
(Wright) Hall, second wife of Samuel. Mr. Hall was a farmer in
England but became dissatisfied with his prospects there and came
to the United States in 1844 before his marriage. With his brother
George, who accompanied him on the voyage he purchased one
hundred acres of land from the United States government, located
in the town of Albion and this was his home until his death. The
property was afterward divided between the brothers. Three chil-
dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hall ; Martha, who married Dexter
Wilson of Edgerton ; George W. H., who lives at the old home;

BIOGRAPHICAL. 359

Sarah (deceased). George W. H. was born in Albion on the
farm September 11, 1869, attended the district schools and the
Albion Academy and early engaged in farming. February 22,
1893, he married Miss Jessie B. Green, who was born in Dayton,
Wis., daughter of Thomas Green of Albion. Two children blessed
the marriage ; George H. and Dorothea Genevieve. The family
are prominent members of the Primitive Methodist church of
Albion, which Samuel Hall aided in organizing in the early days.
Mr. Hall is an independent voter, preferring to vote for whom he
considers the best man rather than to ally himself with any political
party. ,

Rev. Hans H. Holte, pastor of the United Norwegian Lutheran
church of America at Mt. Horeb. is a native of Norway, born
December 15, 1867. He came to the United States with his parents
when he was but one year old .and they first located at Spring
Grove, Houston county, Minn. The father's name was the same
as that of his son, and he followed the occupation of a tailor in his
native land ; but became a farmer after coming to America.
The family remained in Minnesota about twelve years and then re-
moved to North Dakota, locating near Noble, in Cass county,
where the parents resided until a short time ago. The subject ot
this review is one of a family of eight children — five sons and three
daughters — that were born to these parents. Mr. Holte remained
at home until he was twenty-one years of age, and then attended
school until he was ordained for the ministry. His education was
received in St. Olaf college at Northfield, Minn., where he took
a three-year course, and this was supplemented by attendance upon
the Concordia college at Morehead, Minn., for three years ; and he
also spent three years at the United Church Seminary at Minneapo-
lis, from which last named institution he was graduated with the
class of 1899. He was ordained at Minneapolis on September 14,
1899, and immediately came to Mt. Horeb, where he has officiated
ever since. He has a congregation that includes about eighty
families, and he preaches each alternate Sunday in the Norwegian
language, all other services, Sunday school work, etc.. being in
English. Rev. Mr. Holte was married on June II, 1900, to> Miss Min-
nie Thompson, of the town of Blue Mounds, and to this union there
have been born two children: Esther Monica (died at the age of
nine months), and Herman James, at home.

Burton J. Halverson is one of the leading young farmers of the
town of Medina and represents the third generation of his family in

360 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Dane county. His father, Asmund Halverson, was born in Norway
in 1839, came with his parents to the United States in 1843 an(l lo-
cated in Waukesha county. In 1848, the family moved to the town
of Medina, where they obtained one hundred acres of government
land. Asmund Halverson attendied the district school and always
worked upon the home farm, aiding his father to clear and improve it.
He married Miss Louisa A. Ellis, who was born in 'Waterbury,
Conn., in 1840, and six children were born to the marriage, of whom
three are living. Asmund was prominent in the community and ac-
tive in political affairs, a member of the Republican party and the
representative of Medina township upon the board of supervisors.
He attended the Baptist church, of which his wife was a member.
Mrs. Asmund Halverson died in 1891, and her husband in 1905.
Burton J. Halverson was born in Medina, on the old farm, May 23,
1877, educated in the home schools and the Medina free high school.
He early engaged in farming and is now the owner of the old home-
stead, a fine farm of one hundred twenty-six acres with many modern
improvements. Dairy farming is his specialty and he keeps well-
posted on .everything which leads to the improvement of methods and
equipment for that business. Like his father, he is a Republican,
interested in the welfare of the community, which his forefathers were
instrumental in founding.

George F. Halverson, general agent for Wisconsin for the
Walter A. Wood Mower and Reaping Machine Company of Hoosic
Falls, N. Y., was born in Dane county, Wis., December 27, 1864.
He is a son of Osmund Halverson Sobier and Louise Ellis, the
former a native of Norway, the latter of Connecticut. The father
came to the United States with his parents when but three years
of age in 1837, locating in Wisconsin. He was a farmer all his
active life and held many offices of trust and honor, although he
never sought them. When the sons became of age they changed
the name from Halver Sobier to Halverson. The father died Jan-
uary 1, 1905, at the age of sixty-eight. His wife's death occurred
in her fifty-second year. She was a devout member of and earnest
worker in the Baptist church, her father. Rev. Harmon Ellis, being
a minister of that denomination who came to Wisconsin as a mis-
sionary in the early days. The subject of this sketch is the oldest
of five children. Harmon, a traveling salesman, makes his home
in Sun Prairie. Vinnie died in her third year. Burton J. is oper-
ating the home farm in the town of Medina. Vinton died when
fifteen years of age. George F. Halverson received his scholastic

BIOGRAPHICAL. 361

education in Lake Mills, Wis. He remained on his father's farm
until 1892 when he came to Madison to learn the machinist's trade.
He acquired a knowledge of farm implements and machinery whicn
induced him to enter that line of business and for the past fourteen
years he has followed that line. On December 7, 1892, Mr. Halver-
son was united in marriage to Miss Flora A., daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Allen Cobb of Sun Prairie. Five children have been born to
this union, Lyne Harvey, Helen Jeanette, Ellis Cobb, George May-
nard and Mary Lucile. The parents are members of the First
Methodist Episcopal church and the father of the Free and Ac-
cepted Masons and of the the Union Commercial Travellers. Mr.
Halverson is considered one of the rising young business men of
the community.

Gunder Halverson, a prosperous farmer of the town of Pleasant
Springs, was born near Shearne, Norway, June 25, 1835. He is the son
of Halver and Margaret (Halverson) Jergunson, natives of Norway,
wHo were devout members of the Lutheran church. Of their eight
children only two are now living. John is farming in Norway.
Gunder, the subject of this sketch, was the only member of the family
to come to America, arriving in 1861 after a stormy passage of eight
weeks. From Quebec he went to Whitewater, Wis., and from there
to Menomonie, where he enlisted in the fall of 1862 in Company B,
Fifth 'Wisconsin Infantry. His regiment took active parts in the bat-
tles of Gettysburg and Fredericksburg and minor skirmishes
and engagements. Gunder was overcome by heat during one of the
campaigns and was sent to a Washington hospital. In 1864 he re-
ceived an honorable discharge from the army and soon after purchased
the place where he now lives, one hundred twenty acres in the town of
Pleasant Springs. When he first moved onto the farm there was only
a small clearing and a log house. All the improvements on the place
were made by Mr. Halverson; the bank barn, thirty-six by fifty-four
fee; was built in 1891 ; the home, an elegant structure, was erected
in 1897. While tobacco is the chief product of the farm, there are
many other crops raised. Politically Mr. Halvorson is a Republican.
Like his parents, he is an ardent Lutheran and worships at the
Western Lumeran church of Pleasant Springs. He has been twice
married; his first wife was a Miss Oleson, who died in 1868, two years
after her wedding. By his second wife, nee Betsy Holton, he has
had six children, — Martin, educated at Stoughton Academy, a farmer
in the town of Christiana ; Nora, Edwin and Rosella, all at home.
The children have all attended the district school. Mr. Halverson is a
member of the Stoughton post. Grand Army of the Republic.

362 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Hiat Halverson, deceased, was born in the town of Dunn, Dane
county, Wis., May 20. 1850. He was a son of Stener and Dogena
(Oualeyj Halverson. natives of Norway. Stener Halverson came
to Wisconsin in 1345. settling in Milwaukee. After a short resi-
dence there he went to Chicago, where he did teaming with oxen,
often hauling loads of hay over what are now Chicago's principal
thoroughfares. Land in the vicinity of what is now the business
district of that city was selling at $1.25 an acre. After a few
months of this labor Mr. Halverson came to Wisconsin again
settling in Stoughton, on eighty acres of government land. For
some two or three years he acted as a kind of guide for new set-
tlers ; he would haul grain to Milwaukee and then conduct emi-
grants to their new homes near Stoughton. An opportunit}^ was
offered to secure a larger piece of land, so he sold his Stoughton
farm and purchased one hundred and sixty acres in the town of
Dunn, a portion of it on Lake Kegonsa. Here he built a log hut,
making the roof of sod. The nearest neighbors were the Stough-
ton people. It was not an unusual occurrence for the Indians to
visit Mrs. Halverson while her husband was away. On one oc-
casion a party of them came begging and Mrs. Halverson gave
them some bread and pork. Not satisfied with that they demanded
the blankets and when refused them they raised their tomahawks
and threatened Mrs. Halverson's life. She was equal to the oc-
casion, however, and snatching a large knife from the table she
raised is above her head and drove the Indians from the yard in
confusion. As an illustration of the laziness of the red man, Mr.
Halverson often told of an Indian who came to him one day while
he was threshing beans and begged for some. Mr. Halverson
agreed to give him the beans, but told the applicant that he would
have to thresh them himself. The Indian spread his blanket, put
the beans into it, took the heavy flail and started to work. He had
taken no more than half a dozen strokes, when he threw down the
flail in disgust, caught up his blanket, scattering the beans to the
right and the left, and strode away. Mr. Halverson remained
on this farm until his death, having added to it from time to time
until it contained four hundred and six acres. His estate also in-
cluded two hundred acres in the town of Dunkirk, part of which is
now Halverson's addition to the city of Stoughton. In 1889 he
divided his estate among his four children, remaining of the eight
born to him, two sons in the town of Dunn, a daughter in Stough-
ton and a son in Boone county, Neb. Hiat Halverson received his

BIOGRAPHICAL. 363

•education in the Albion Academy. When a mere boy he started
life as a farm hand, and later went to Nebraska. Five years of his
life were put in here as a farm hand ; at the end of that time he
returned to Wisconsin where, on March 1, 1887, he married Martha,
daughter of Andrew and Sigre Maria (Larson) Torson, natives of
Norway. Mrs. Halverson first saw the light of day in Norway on
September 1, 1854. Of her father's family of ten children, seven
.are living, five in this country, — Louisa (Mrs. Amdrew Johnson) ot
the town of Rutland; Josephine (Mrs. Lewis Johnson) of the town
of Dunn ; xAugust and Samuel, of Taylor county, Mich. ; and Mrs.
Halverson. Shortly after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Halverson
"went back with a brother of Mr. Halverson to Nebraska, where
the two brothers purchased one hundred sixty acres of land in
Boone county. Upon the division of the father's estate in 1889
Hiat Halverson received the homestead and one hundred and seven
acres of land. He immediately returned and took up his residence
there. On November 13, 1899, Mr. Halverson died, leaving a
widow and one child, a daughter, Dogena, eleven years old.
Mrs. Halverson and the child still occupy the old homestead.

Louis A. Halverson is the buttermaker of the Medina Cheese and
Butter Company, which he has managed successfully for some years.
He was born in Waukesha county, Wis., Aug. 30, 1858, of Norwegian
parentage, lived with his parents at Deerfield, Dane county, Wis.,
where he engaged in farming for a number of years. Since 1893, he
has been occupied with the manufacture of dairy products, especially
butter and cheese. Dec. 15, 1897, he married Miss Fannie Griffin,
who was born in Illinois, daughter of Winston J. and Anna (Thomp-
son) Gnffin. Three children were born to the marriage: Leo Griffin,
Neal Fenton and Ethel Anne. Osborn Halverson, father of
Louis A., was born in Norway in 1833, came to the United States
with his parents when he was ten years old, lived for a short time on
a farm in Waukesha county and later in Deerfield, where he died in
1889. Halver and Betsey Aspenson, the first representatives of the
family in Dane county, came to the United States from Norway in
1843 and settled in Medina in 1848, where they owned a farm of
one hundred twenty-six acres and there resided the remainder of their
lives. Their son, Osborn Halverson, married Miss Olena Heimdal,
also a native of Norway, who came to Dane county with her parents
in 1843. Of their family of six children but three are living. Osborn
Halverson was a farmer and he and his wife were associated with the
Lutheran church. Winston Griffin, father of Mrs. Louis Halverson,

364 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

was the son of John and Martha (Winston) Griffin, Virginians of
Irish ancestry. The father, John Griffin, was born in Culpepper
county, Va., in 1770, and died in 1851. He married Martha Winston,
who was born in 1774, near Richmond, Va., as was also their son,
Winston J., in 1810. The family moved to Kentucky in 181 5 and
settled near Harrodsburg. Winston Griffin married Miss Anna
Thompson who was born near Zanesville, Ohio, May 22, 1824. Her
father was also born near Zanesville, Ohio, in 1790 and died in 1876
aged eighty-six. Her mother nee Lydia Bowers, born in 1792, was
a native of the same place, and died in hJdgar county, 111., in 1846.
Winston J. Griffin diedl in his seventy-sixth year, but his widow is
still living, well and hearty at the advanced age of eighty-one years.
Mrs. Halverson is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Halverson
is a Democrat but does not take a very active part in political affairs.
Melvin S. Halverson, a representative furniture dealer and fu-
neral director of the city of Stoughton, claims the old Badger state
as the place of his nativity, having been born in Manitowoc, Wiscon-
sin, November 7, 1879. He is the son of Simeon and Matilda (Ter-
kelson) Halverson, both native of Norway, and his paternal grand-
father was Halver Oaas, who came from Norway to America and set-
tled in Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, about 1855, there purchasing
and reclaiming one hundred acres of land and becoming one of the in-
fluential farmers of that section, where he continued to reside until
his death, in 1899. Of his children Ole and Simeon are deceased, and
those living are Aslak, Christopher, Gurine (Mrs. Thomas Aslakson),
Annie M. (Mrs. Christian Jacobson), and Karen. Simeon Halverson,
father of him whose name initiates this sketch, was reared to man-
hood in Manitowoc county, and his entire active career was one of close
and successful identification with the great basic industry of agricul-
ture. He cleared and improved a farm of one hundred acres, and on this
homestead he remained until his death, which occurred in 1895, at
which time he was fifty-seven years of age. His widow died twelve
days later at the age of fifty-four. They reared a family of seven
children: Hans, Anna (wife of Oscar Gunderson), Christopher, Louis,
Martin, Melvin S. and Norman. Melvin S. Halverson was reared
to manhood in his native county, where he early became inured to the
sturdy discipline of the home farim and where he received the advan-
tages of the public schools. At the age of seventeen years he initi-
ated his independent career, taking up the vocation of chimney sweep-
ing and following the same for four months. He then secured a po-
sition as clerk in one of the larger merchantile establishments in Man-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 365

itowoc, continuing in his line of occupation two years, at the expira-
tion of which, in 1899, he took up his residence in Stoughton, where
he entered the Stoughton Academy, in which he completed an eight
months' business course, after which he served four years as book-
keeper, two years with the Stoughton Wagon Company and two with
the Mandt Wagon Company. March 29, 1904, he engaged in the
furniture and undertaking business in this city, being associated in the
enterprise with E. J. Kjolseth, under the firm name of Kjolseth & Hal-
verson, until November 14, 1905, when the partnership was dissolved
by mutual consent, Mr. Halverson purchasing the interests of his
partner and having individually continued the business since that
time. He is a progressive business man and loyal citizen, is a Repub-
lican in his political proclivities, is affiliated with the Knights of
Pythias, and both he and his wife are members of Christ church, Nor-
wegian Lutheran. October 15, 1902, Mr. Halverson was married to
Miss Sena Erdahl, daughter of Guilder and Trine (Felland) Erdahl, of
Stoughton, and they have one child, Esther Margaret.

Nels Halvorsen (Kalhagen), the efficient and popular superin-
tendent of the shops of the Stoughton Wagon Company and repre-
sentative of the third ward on the board of alderman of the city
of Stoughton was born on the farm Kalhagen in Holmedal, Prae-
stagields, on July 4, 1852. He is a son of Gaardman Halvor xA.n-
derson Kalhagen and his wife Oline Thorsdatter. The schools of
his native land afforded him his early educational advantages, and
there also he served an apprenticeship at the trade of cabinetmaker,
tot which he devoted his attention about five years. Later he was
employed for a similar period as a ship carpenter and while acting
in this capacity visited the East and Wrest Indies. In 1884 he
came to the United States, taking up his residence in Stoughton,
where he has since continued to make his home. For the first six
months he was employed at the carpenter's trade, working for
Lars Vingum. and he then entered the employ of the Stoughton
Wagon company, with whom he has since remained and in whose
shops, by faithful and able service, he has worked his way up to
his present responsible position. He has the confidence and
esteem of his employers and of the men who work under his direc-
tion. He has been incumbent of the office of shop superintendent
since 1894. He is the inventor of the first and only anti-tip bob-
sleighs in America, as well as the Vicking bolster spring for
wagons, steel bolster sticks for lumber wagons, skeins for double
trusses on lumber wagons, steel-bent hounds for the same class of

366 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

vehicles, and other useful devices which are utilized by the com-
pany by which he is employed. He is a stanch advocate of the
principles of the Republican party and takes a lively interest in
public affairs in his home city. He is serving his first term as a
member of the board of aldermen, representing the third ward.
He and his family are members of the First Norwegian Lutheran
church, and he is affiliated with Social Lodge No. 60, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. September 27. 1883, Mr. Halvorsen was
united in marriage to Jannikke Ostensdatter Haaland, the daughter
of Osten Bergentsen Haaland and his wife Johanne Jensdatter.
She was born March 26, 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Halvorsen have six
children, namely: Jennie T., Laura O, Ada E., Harry B.,
Geneva A., and Esther C.

Halvor Halvorson is one of the prominent farmers and influential
citizens of Blooming Grove township, and is present chairman of
the township board of supervisors. Mr. Halvorson was born in
the township which is now his home, the date of his nativity hav-
ing been April 22, 1852. He is a son of Evan and Anna (Olsen)
Halvorson, both of whom were born and reared in Norway, the
former having been born in 1810 and the latter February 14, 1817.
They were numbered among the pioneers of Dane county, where
the father became a prosperous farmer, in Blooming Grove town-
ship, where he died June 24, 1901 ; his widow still resides on the
old homestead and is in excellent health, though nearing the age
of four score years. The subject of this sketch is administrator of
his father's estate. Halvor Halvorson received limited educational
advantages in his youth, having attended the district schools in an
irregular way. His father greatly objected to his securing an
English education being loyal to the language of his native land,
but the son has made good this early handicap, having been a close
observer and having gained a wide fund of information and definite
knowledge through personal application and through active asso-
ciation with men and affairs. He was reared to the sturdy dis-
cipline of the farm, and when he initiated his independent career
he took up such legitimate labor as would render him due returns,
following principally pursuits of a mechanical nature. In 1881 he
became a fully qualified mason and plasterer, and he followed his
trade as a vocation about fifteen years, after which he engaged in
farming, in Pleasant Springs township, where he remained two
years, at the expiration of which he purchased his present finely
improved homestead, in section 21, Blooming Grove township,

BIOGRAPHICAL. 367

where he has a landed estate of two hundred and seven acres. He
is a man of marked executive ability and indomitable energy, and
the results are shown in the thrift and prosperity so evident in his
attractive farmstead. Mr. Halvorson is generous, genial and
kindly, progressive in his ideas and ever ready to lend his aid and
influence in the support of all measures advanced for the general
good of the community. His pleasant home is a center of hos-
pitality, and the family is prominent in the social life of the com-
munity. Mr. Halvorson is aligned as a stanch supporter of the
principles and policies of the Democratic party, and is one of the
leaders in public affairs in his township. He served two years as
township treasurer, and was chairman of the township board of
supervisors from March 27, 1892, to March 26, 1896, while in 1902
he was again elected supervisor, and has since been re-elected each
year, his last election having occurred on April 4, 1905. He is
the present chairman of the board and in his official capacity he
has done much to further the best interests of the township and
county. He and his family are members of the Norwegian Luth-
eran church. On October 11, 1880, Mr. Halvorson was united in
marriage to Miss Carry Johnson, who was born May 29, 1859, a
daughter of Hans and Carry (Yvesager) Johnson, of Blooming
Grove township. Mr. and Mrs. Halvorson have one son, Theo-
dore E., who was born January 3, 1881, and who is associated with
his father in the work and management of the home farm. He
married Miss Sarah Anderson, who was born in Norway, March 15,
1882, and they have one child, Harley Cornelius, who was born
July 26, 1904.

Jacob Halvorson is a prominent farmer near Dahleville, where
he owns a large farm, one of the best equipped in this section of the
country. He is the son of Halvor Evenson, who was born in Norway,
spent his entire life there and died in i860. Halvor Evenson marred
Hagg Jacobson and after the death of her husband Mrs. Evenson, in
1861, came to the United States with her two sons and two* daughters.
The family all worked together to gain a foothold and in 1866 bought
a farm in the town of York, where Mrs. Evenson lived until her death
in 1896. Jacob was born in Telemarken, Norway, Dec. 25, 1844, had
but little opportunity to go to school and assisted his mother in every
way possible after the arrival of the family in Wisconsin. When they
became established he purchased a farm in Iowa county, containing
one hundred twenty acres to which he has since added eighty acres.
This property Mr. Halverson retained, gradually cleared it. brought

368 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

almost all of it under cultivation and added substantial buildings,
modern farm machinery, etc. For many years he has carried on a
general farming business with which he has been very successful and
he now contemplates the sale of his property and retirement from ac-
tive business. A brother of Mr. Halvorson, Evan, resides near,
and Turil who married Ona Killeswick, resides in the town of York,
Green county. In October, 1870, Jacob married Miss Turbier Olson,
who was born irri Norway in 1837, daughter of Ole and Tngebor Olson,
and four children were born to the marriage. Henry the oldest, re-
sides in South Dakota, Ole Andreas in Dodgeville, John at home and
Hannah Maria in Los Angeles, Cal. The family is identified with
the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Halvorson is a Republican and
has served as school clerk for three terms.

Rev. John Halvorson, who has in his charge the Lutheran con-
gregation of Rockdale was born in Stavanger City, Norway, De-
cember 4, 1861, and came to the United States with his parents
when he was but ten years old. At the age of eighteen, after being
graduated from Luther college, he entered Northwestern university
at Watertown, Wis., and was graduated in 1881. He studied
theology in Concordia seminary, St. Louis, and at Luther seminary.
Madison, and when he was ordained in 1884 was prepared to hold
services in any one of three languages. Soon after his ordination
he was called to Mayville, N. Dak., next took charge of the church
of Norway Lake, Minn., and then of Zion church of Minneapolis.
In 1902 he came to Rockdale. From 1890 to 1894, he was English
lecturer at the Norwegian Luther seminary in Minneapolis and
also preached often in English. In 1889. he married Miss Bertha
Glesne of Norway Lake, Minn., the first white person born in that
township. Their family consists of seven children : Ella Clara.
Elmer N., Sigurd J., Inga M.. Ruth E., Victor D., and Signe J. C.
Rev. John Halvorson is the son of Zacharias and Ellen (Peterson)
Halvorson of Stavanger City, Norway, who were members of the
Norwegian Lutheran church. Zacharias was a baker by trade but
entered the marble business in Marshalltown, Iowa, where he
located upon his arrival in the west. After three years in Mar
shalltown he moved with his family to Decorah. which was his
home the reaminder of his life and is still the home of his widow.
He was trustee and secretary of the Norwegian Lutheran church
of that community. Of the seven children of Zacharias Halvorson.
but three are now living. The Rockdale church, of which Mr.
Halvorson has charge, is the out-growth of the old East Kosh-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 369

konong Synod church, which was organized in 1844 and became
part of the first Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Amer-
ica, containing twenty-seven other organizations at its beginning.
The East Koskonong church is the oldest of these united churches
and the mother of many others. Its first pastor was Rev. J. W. C.
Dietrichson, the second, Rev. A. C. Preuss, then for thirty-one years
Rev. I. A. Otteson. He was followed in 1891 by Rev. D. G. Ristad
and since 1902, the parish has been under the care of Rev. John Hal-
vorson. The latter is interested in Scandinavian history and
literature and particularly in the lives and careers of his com-
patriots in the United States and has published a historic account
of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Synod, part of a complete
history of representative Scandinavians of the United States. He
is also the author of a treatise on the Minnesota district of the
synod.

Henry A. Ham, a well-known Stoughton butcher, served his ap-
prenticeship with his father in England, where Henry was born and
grew to manhood. The home of the family was Congressburg,
Somersetshire, England, and there Edward Ham and his father, Jo-
seph, were butchers for many years. Henry was born in Congress-
burg, March 8, 1848, son of Edward and Emma (Baker) Ham and
was apprenticed to h's father until he reached the age of twenty-one
years, when he came to the United States and located at Whitewater,
Wis. There he was butcher and farmer for ten years and in 1879
moved to Stoughton, which has since been his home. In 1881 the
firm of Nye & Ham opened a market in Stoughton and after one year
the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Ham continued in business
alone. Until 1902 he carried on a most successful business by him-
self and at that t'me retired and was succeeded by his son George,
who has since carried on the business. George Ham has a finely
equipped market furnished with all modern appliances and conducted
in a thoroughly scientific manner. April 2, 1867, Mr. Ham married
Miss Martha Alvis, a native of Congressburg and daughter of John
and Eliza (Ball) Alvis. Tour jchildren blessed the marriage;
George, Anne, who married Andrew Swenson, Hattie M., the wife
of Griffith Jehu and Dot E., who is Mrs. John Connor. The daughters
were all born in Whitewater. George, the only son, was born in
Congressburg, England, August 15, 1868 and was but ten months old
when his parents brought him to Whitewater. He attended the
Whitewater schools and followed in occupation, the footsteps of his
father and grandfathers. Mr. Ham is a Republican in his political
24— iii

370 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

sympathies and is always ready to do his share to promote the best
interests of the community. He owns a substantial business block of
three stores on East Main street in Stoughton and a pleasant home.
His energy and ability have made him prominent in the ranks of
Stoughton business men.

Edward C. Hammersley, one of the representative farmers of the
town of Madison, was born at Barnett, England, November 20, 1847.
His parents, William and Ann (Barwise) Hannmersley, were both na-
tives of that country, the former of Cheshire and the latter o( Liver-
pool. The father was a farmer, dairyman and veterinary surgeon
prior to his coming to this country. In January, 1850, he landed in
America, and the same year located on eighty acres of wild land in the
town of Madison. Early in the Civil War he enlisted in Company L.
Third Wisconsin cavalry, and served as a veterinary surgeon until his
death, which occurred at Little Rock, Ark., in 1864. His widow
survived him until March 5, 1888. Their children were Elizabeth,
Sarah, Edward C, William and Ann, (twins) George, Harriet and
Mariam. Edward C. Hammersley 's opportunities to acquire an edu-
cation were extremely limited, as the death of his father made it nec-
essary for him to aid in the support of the family. He therefore
stayed at home, cleared his father's estate of indebtedness, and upon
arriving at maturity began life for himself on rented land. After a
few years in this manner he bought eighty acres where he now lives,
improved it and added to it until he now owns nearly six hundred
acres in Dane county, besides other property. For many years he
dealt in live stock, and has been prominently indentified in real estate
transactions. Politically Mr. Hammersley is a Democrat'. For
some time he served as clerk of the school board, and was for nine
years treasurer of the town of Madison. On September 15, 1880, he
married Miss Ella A., daughter of Andrus and Alary (Lemon) Viall,
and to this marriage have been born the following children. Charles
Edward, an attorney, living at home with his parents, Ellen, now a
student at the state university; Fay, a farmer, attended the Wisconsin
Academy; Mildred and George, both students at the Wisconsin Acad-
emy, and Morris, attending the district schools. Mr. Hammersley is
a fine example of a self-made man. Beginning life in the most hum-
ble circumstances, he has risen to his present social and business
standing by his own energy and a strict adherence to correct principles,

Robert Alexander Hammond resides on the farm in Cottage
Grove township, on which he was born, the date of his nativity
having been August 18, 1855. It is interesting to note the fact that
all of his children have been born in the same house and room in

BIOGRAPHICAL. 371

which he himself was ushered into the world. He is one of the
prominent farmers and popular citizens of his native township and
county and represents one of the sterling- pioneer families of this
section of the state. His father, Alexander Hammond, was born
at historic old Fort Ticonderoga, New York, June 22, 1800, and
died September 28, 1879, at the age of seventy-nine years. He
.took up his residence on the present homestead farm of the subject
of this review in the year 1815, and he reclaimed the same from the
virgin forest, thus aiding materially in forwarding the march of
improvement in this now attractive agricultural district. His wife,
whose maiden name was Caroline Brown, was born in the state of
Pennsylvana, in 1821, and came with her parents, Roswell Brown
and wife, to Cottage Grove in 1837. She survived her husband by
many years, her death occurring on February 13, 1893. Of their
children it may T>e recorded that three died in infancy. Emma
who became the wife of Frank B. Marble, is now deceased; Joann
is the wife of George M. Kelly, of Cottage Grove township ; and
Robert Alexander is the younger of the two surviving chilnren
He was educated in the district schools, which he attended in an
irregular way, his advantages being limited, as schools were not
of high standard in this vicinity in his boyhood. He assisted in the
reclamation and other work of the farm, and has always made his
home on the place, which comprises one hundred and sixty acres,
in section 20. Good buildings add to the attractions of the home-
stead, while all departments of the farm show careful and effective
management on the part of the progressive owner. Mr. Hammond
gives his political allegiance to the Republican party and has served
two terms as a member of the township board of supervisors. He
and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. On May
7, 1877. Mr. Hammond was united in marriage to Miss Annie Ar-
thur, who was born in County Deny, Ireland, on November 8, 1856,
being a daughter of Samuel and Eliza (Steel) Arthur, both natives
of County Derry, Ireland, the. former of whom was born March 19,
1831. and the latter in 1826. The family came to the United States
in 1858, and came directly to Cottage Grove, Dane county. Both
died on their horn stead in Cottage Grove, the father in November
5, 1899. and the mother on April 5, 1890. To Mr. and Mrs. Ham-
mond have been born six children, namely Mary Maud, who was
born March 10. 1880, and who is the wife of C. J. Nelson, of
Stoughton, Wisconsin ; Arthur Asa, who was born September 28,
1881, on the home farm ; Harry Howard, who was born June 7,
1883, and who died in infancy; Edith Emma, who was born July 13-

372 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

1885 and who died in infancy ; Olive May, who was born December
13, 1889; and Robert Lee, who was born February 18, 1895.

Gisle Julson Hamre was, for the greater part of his life, a farmer
in the town of Christiana and still owns two hundred and twenty-five
acres of farm property in the township, which he leases, having- retired
from active business life. He is the son of Jule and Anna Gisleson,
who were natives of Nummedahl, Norway, married there and came to
the United States in 1842. They made Wisconsin their goal and after
the long journey across the ocean and thence by the lakes to Milwaukee,
they procured a team to bring them to Dane county and obtained a
farm in section 33, Christiana. Helick, brother of Jule, who came to
Portage in 1838, soon joined them and purchased a farm in section 28.
They were among the first settlers of the district. The home of -Jule
consisted of two hundred acres of wild land, with a log cabin and this
the young couple improved and always made their home. Six chil-
dren were born to them, of whom four are living ; Gisle J. is the oldest
son; Christian lives in Christiania ; Jule J. and Alex, are farmers of
Christiania. The family have always been devoted members of the
East church of Christiania. Gisle Julson was born in Nummedahl,
Norway, April 1, 1840, and came with his parents to America when he
was two years old. He attended the home schools and assisted his
parents with the farm and lived at home until he was twenty-six years
of age. IWith his brother Guilder he purchased a farm of one hundred
acres in section 34 and this they worked together for four years. In
September, 1870, he married Miss Martha Peterson, who was born in
Gubensthal, Norway in 1843, daughter of Peter Evenson and Bertha
( Larson) Evenson. Mrs. Hamre came from Norway with her
biothers and sisters in 1869. Of a family of five she is the only sur-
vivor. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Hamre lived on the old
homestead in Christiania for some years and then moved to Utica.
They are members of the East church of Christiania. Mr. Hamre is
a Democrat in his political affiliations, as was his father, but has never
desired to hold office.

John K. Hamre is a retired farmer of Morrisonville. who came to
Wisconsin from Norway. His parents, K!. G. and Tura (Malend)
Hamre, were natives of Norway and lived upon a farm. Of their
four children John K. is the only survivor. Mr. K. G. Hamre died
in 1884 and his wife in 1848. John K. was born in Norway, January
15, 1844, was educated in Norway and there engaged in trade with the
tarmers, from whom he bought farm produce and to whom he delivered
manufactured goods from the city. For five years he owned and
managed a farm in Norway, which he afterward sold in eleven differ-

. BIOGRAPHICAL. 373

ent sections, each a farm. In 1868, he married Miss Bertha S.
Meland, daughter of Sjur and Anna (Tjugen) Meland, of Norway.
In 1874, Mr. Hamre came to the United States, with the intention
of making it his home and lie purchased a farm of one hundred and
twenty acres in Leeds township, Columbia county, Wis, In 1875, he
brought his family to the new home and there resided until 1902,
when he moved to Morrisonville. The farm was ,added to until it
comprised four hundred and thirty-five acres and is a well equipped
and valuable property. Mr. Hamre also ownes an eighty-acre tract
one-half mile from Morrisonville Eleven children were born to Mr.
and Mrs. Hamre; Knudt, Turi, and Sjur (deceased) were born in
Norway. The other children were born in Spring Prairie, Wis.;
Eddie, Carrie (deceased), John, Carl, Benne (deceased) Anna, Benne
and Joseph. The family attends the Lutheran church. Mr. Hamre
is a member of the Republican party but not active in political affairs.
He is extensively interested in gold, copper and coal mines and is a
stock-holder in the Alaska Central Ry.

Christian Hansen. — In the great competitive struggle of life,
where each must enter the field and fight his way to the front, or
else be overtaken by disaster of time and place, there is ever par-
ticular interest attaching to the career of one who has turned the
tide of success and gained the haven of substantial prosperity
through well directed personal effort. Christian Hansen, president
and manager of the Wisconsin Wagon Company, manufacturers
of high-grade carriages and delivery wagons, in the city of Madi-
son, has indelibly impressed his influence on the commercial his-
tory of the capital city, has proved a force in local industrial affair j
and aided in furthering the commercial advancement of his city
and county, while he has never failed to realize the responsibilities
which success imposes, having ordered his life on a high plane of
honor and integrity. Mr. Hansen was the founder of the flourish-
ing and important enterprise at whose head he now stands. The
Wisconsin Wagon Company dates its inception back to August
20, 1874, while the concern was duly incorporated under the laws
of the state, in 1883, with the present executive corps, comprising
Mr. Hansen and his two sons. He is president and manager, as
has already been noted : Clarence S., is secretary, and Harry E.,
treasurer. The business was started on a very modest scale, the
original location of the little shop and salesroom having been on
Webster street, between King and Main streets, where operations
were continued, with gradual expansion of the facilities of the
plant, until 1883, when the present finely equipped building was

374 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

erected by the company, on Blair street, the cost of the same, with
the improvements now represented in the plant, being about ten
thousand dollars. In this building the company manufacture the
best grade of carriages, buggies and delivery wagons and also do
general repair work in this line, employing skilled artisans in the
handling of all details of manufacture. They also deal in medium
and high-grade carriages and other vehicles in addition to those of
their own manufacture, having a well appointed emporium for all
finished work, while the trade controlled is large and representa-
tive, indicating the reliability of the products of the factory and
the correct business methods which have begotten popular confi-
dence and support. The trade of the company extends throughout
the wide section of the territory of which Madison is the normal
commercial and distributing center, and also ramifies into other
states than Wisconsin, while it is constantly expanding in scope
and importance. An average of ten men is retained in the employ
of the company in carrying forward the work of the plant and sales
departments, while the entire capital stock of the concern is held
by Mr. Hansen and his sons, who are numbered among the repre-
sentative business men and honored citizens of Madion. Chris-
tian Hansen comes of stanch Danish lineage, and was born in
Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, which was then a Danish province,
on June 2, 1852, being a son of Hans and Catherine (Mueller) Han-
sen, who were natives of the same place, where they passed their
entire lives, Germany acquiring the province through force of arms
in 1864. George Jorgenson. a half-brother of Christian Hansen,
was at that time in the military service of Denmark and took part
in the conflict with the German forces. In 1867, having previously
availed himself of the excellent advantages of the schools of his
native province, Mr. Hansen entered upon an apprenticeship at the
trade of carriage woodworking, in the town of Nordborg, on the
island of Alsen, where he remained until 1870, when the Franco-
Prussian war broke out. Having no desire to be drafted into the
service of the German empire, Mr. Hansen, with a few personal
effects, made his way to Denmark's capital, the city of Copenhagen,
and about two weeks later he decided to seek his fortunes in
America, having a good knowledge of his trade and being ani-
mated by that self-reliance and determination which have been the
main factors in securing his advancement in life. From Copen-
hagen he sailed to England and thence proceeded to Glasgow, Scot-
land, finally embarking for New York city, where he landed late
in July of the year mentioned, his capitalistic reinforcement at the

BIOGRAPHICAL. 375

time being represented in about fifty dollars in gold. At that
period gold still commanded a premium in the United States, but
as he was not aware of this fact and was not familiar with local
customs, he failed to realize the advance which due him on ex-
changing his gold for the currency of the country. From New
York Mr. Hansen made his way to Chicago and thence to Madison,
making his advent in Wisconsin's capital city on September 12.
1870, and securing work as a day laborer on the construction of
the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, whose line was at that time
being extended into Madison. Young Hansen had not been ac-
customed to wielding a shovel, and his hands showed a full com-
plement of well developed blisters ere he had worked long in his
new field of endeavor, but he persisted in his efforts until some-
thing better offered. He finally secured work at his trade, enter-
ing the employ of T. E. Bird, of Madison, with whom he remained
until the spring of 1873, after which he was engaged in work, for
short intervals, in Rockford and Chicago, 111., and Janesville and
Baraboo, Wis., returning to Madison in 1874 and engaging in busi-
ness for himself, as designated in the earlier part of this article.
It is most gratifying to note the success which has resulted from
his earnest and well directed endeavors, his factory being now one
of the largest of the sort in this section of the state, while his repu-
tation as a business man and as a loyal citizen is of the highest.
His career has been a somewhat varied and eventful one, but he
has pressed steadily forward to a definite goal and has gained that
independence and prestige which such application and worthy effort
ever justify. In politics Mr. Hansen gives his allegiance to the
Democratic party, and he always manifests a deep interest in the
civic and material welfare of his beautiful home city, though never
seeking office of any description. In a fraternal way he is affiliated
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. October 30, 1875,
was solemnized the marriage of Air. Hansen to Miss Margaret Wil-
son, who was born and reared in Dane county. Wis., being a daugh-
ter of Thorbjon Wilson, an honored pioneer of this part of the state.
The children of this union are three in number, — Harry E.,
Daisy E.. and Clarence S., the sons being associated with their
father in business, as already noted, and beinp- numbered among
the prominent and popular young business men of the capital city.
The children belong to Grace Episcopal church.

Henry Drury Hanson, Jr., the editor of the Oregon Observer, was
born April 18, 1862. in Dunkirk, Dane county. His father Henry D.
Hanson, St., was born in Lincolnshire, England, and came to the Uni-

376 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

ted States in 1851, when twenty-one years old. His mother Sarah
(Filling-ham) Hanson, was also English by birth, and came to this
country a year later. Mr. Hanson stayed for a few months in the
vicinity of Buffalo, N. Y. and then came on to Rock county, Wis.,
where he became acquainted with his wife; they settled in Dunkirk,
and bought sixty acres of land there, which he still owns and has in-
creased to one hundred" acres. Mrs. Hanson died July 20, 1904, after
the family had, moved to Stoughton, where Mr. Hanson still resides.
Henry D. Hanson, Jr., is one of a family of eight, three sons and five
daughters, all of whom are living except one daughter. He was edu-
cated in Hanerville school, and later attended Milton college. He was
only sixteen when he started out for himself, and worked By the
month for two years, and then attended Milton college for three ; in
March, 1884, he bought out a one-half interest in the Oregon Ob-
server, and six months later his partner sold to E. B. Owen, and the
firm was Hanson & Owen until July, 1885, when Mr. Hanson pur-
chased the entire interest. The Observer is Republican in politics, and
during his management of it, Mr. Hanson has built up the circulation
from three hundred to one thousand subscribers, beside increasing the
size of the paper. Mr. Hanson is a member of the Presbyterian church ;
lie was married June 16, 1897, to Miss Mabel Johnson, daughter of
C. D. and Lucy Johnson, of Oregon village. Mrs. Hanson was born
in Dunn township, and was a teacher in the Oregon schools before her
marriage; she has since served three years on the board of education.
Mr. Hanson has served on the village board and as village treasurer,
several times. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and belongs to the
I. O. O. F., the Modern Woodmen and the Eastern Star. Mrs.
Hanson also belongs to the Eastern Star and is serving the second
year as matron.

Fred P. Harmon, postmaster of Belleville, was born in the town
of Montrose, Dane county, August 15, 1857, the son of Ezra and
Laura Ann (Smith) Harmon, both natives of Rupert, Vt., and belong-
ing to old New England families. They were married in their native
state and came to Wisconsin about 1850, remaining for a year in
Exeter, Green county; the following year they came to Montrose
township, Dane county, where Mr. Harmon bought a farm and en-
gaged in farming until the time of his death, in 1870, at the age of
fifty-four. Mrs. Harmon survived her husband thirty-five years,
passing away in 1905 at the ripe old age of eighty-three years. They
reared a family of four children, viz., DeWitt, who served in Company
H, Wisconsin volunteer infantry, during the Civil War; he returned
from the army sick and died about a month after reaching home;

BIOGRAPHICAL. 377

George F., of Paoli ; Fred P., the subject of this sketch; Mary V.
married Arthur Cady, of Detroit, Mich. Fred P. Harmon was reared
in his native town, in the public and private schools. He spent his
boyhood on the farm, and after arriving at manhood followed that vo-
cation until 1885. The homestead, which he had purchased, he sold at
that time, and in 1887 went into the business of butchering, which he
followed until 1901. On May 2, 1903, he received the appointment as
post-master of Belleville, a position which he has occupied up to the
present time. In 1882, he was married to Miss Louise, daughter of
Jacob Moss, (deceased,) of the town of Montrose, and one of the
early settlers. Mr. and Mrs. F. P. Harmon have a family of seven
children, Myrtie ; Dora M. ; Dewitt D. ; Hazel; Lucille; Loyd;
Mildred. Mr. Harmon's political affiliations are with the Republican
party, and he has served as the assessor of Belleville and the town of
Montrose.

The Harnan Sisters are the proprietors of the largest private
hotel in the city of Madison, and as a select boarding place, their
establishment is widely and favorably known. Being located
at No. 122 West Washington Avenue, but a few steps from the Capi-
tal Square, and with accommodations of the best, it ranks as a leader
among the private hostelries of the city and receives an extensive pat-
ronage from people of culture and refinement. The sisters who con-
duct this model boarding place are the daughters of John and Mar-
garet (Bergen) Harnan. both of whom were born near Dublin. Ire-
land. After their marriage in the Emerald Isle the father and mother
came to the United States about fifty years ago and first established
their home near Pottsville, Pa., where for a number of years Mr.
Harnan had charge of a coal mine. He then moved with his family
to Wisconsin and located in Iowa county, near the village of Arena,
where he purchased land and followed the occupation of a farmer
during the remainder of his life. He died at Arena about 1891. and
his wife passed away in Madison in 1901. They were the parents
of four children: Mary is the widow of Thomas Cass, and she with
her sister, Dora, who is the second in order of birth, are the proprie-
tors of the Harnan Hotel ; John M. was graduated from the law depart-
ment of the University of Wisconsin, and is now practicing his profes-
sion in Colorado' Springs; and Margaret, the youngest of the children,
resides with her sisters. Thomas Cass, the husband of Mary (Harnan)
Cass, died in 1894, no children having been born of the union. The
Harnan sisters came to' the capital city about 1885 and were employed
in different hotels for a number of years, thus gaining a practical
knowledge of the business, which has been of much value to them in

378 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

the successful management of their own establishment. The fine
building which they occupy was built under their personal direction,
and in 1897 they opened the hotel, receiving a good patronage from
the beginning, and the place has steadily grown in popularity under
their careful management ever since. The religious faith of the sis-
ters is expressed by membership in the Catholic church

Gen. Henry Harnden, one of the most widely known among Wis-
consin's heroes of the Civil War, inherited from a long line of
hardy and courageous ancestors the qualities which made him con-
spicuous in an epoch which especially brought into notice men of
brave and rugged character. His ancestors were among the very
early settlers of Massachusetts, the earliest being Richard Harnden.
General Harnden's father, Jonathan Harnden, the fifth of the Ameri-
can line, was born in 1786 and his grandfather, Benjamin Harnden,
born 1740, was a lieutenant in the Revolutionary War. Other
members of the family also bore a notable part in that struggle for
independence. On the maternal side there is a family history of sea-
faring people, which accounts for Henry Harnden's five years of
experience as a sailor. He was born at Wilmington, Mass., March
4, 1823, and received his early education in the schools of his native
town. He escaped from the monotony of life in a mill town when
he was eighteen years of age and sailed in a vessel bound for the
coast of Africa. Before his return he made two trips around Cape
Horn, visited many points on the west coast of South America, and
landed once on the site of San Francisco, (1839) getting a glimpse
of that California which Dana made familiar in his "Two Years
Before the Mast." At the time of his return home the Mexican
War was in progress and he followed the call of the adventurous
in his blood to that scene of action, witnessed the debarkation of
General Taylor's troops and assisted in the removal of the wounded
of the battle of Palo Alto to New Orleans. Upon his return to
Massachusetts he married, in 1848, Miss Mary Lightner, of Bos-
ton, and two years later joined the army of gold-seekers who were
wending their way across the continent to California. Upon this
journey his party had several encounters with the Indians and other
thrilling adventures. Soon after his return from this expedition,
in 1852, he and his wife migrated to Wisconsin, settling in the town
of Sullivan. Jefferson county, where he remained for a number of
years, although at the breaking out of the Civil War he was operat-
ing a mill at Ripon. He promptly responded to the call for volun-
teers, closing up his business and advising his employes to follow
his example in offering their services to their country; and it is

BIOGRAPHICAL. 379

upon record that they did so without exception. Henry Harnden
■enlisted as a private in Company D, First Wisconsin Cavalry, July
15, 1861, and was soon after promoted to the position of sergeant.
On January 1, 1862, he was promoted to the position of captain of
Company L. The history of the First Wisconsin Cavalry is Gen-
eral Harnden' s war history, and the esprit du corps which is so fre-
quently commended in the official reports of its action was largely
due to the fact that it contained a few men of General Harnden's
type, the fervor of whose intrepid spirit commuicated itself to the
whole body. One historian speaks of the advance of the First
Wisconsin as "a line of glittering steel that came upon the enemy
like the wind ;" Gen. R. B. Mitchell says in less picturesque phrase,
"The First Wisconsin Regiment is, by long odds, the best regiment
in the division at skirmishing." Another charge in which General
Harnden was the leader is recorded as "the most brilliant of the
campaign." The First Wisconsin Cavalry was assigned first to
Camp Benton, St. Louis, and later to Cape Girardeau, and their
early history wTas connected with the movements of the war in
Missouri and Arkansas. At Scatterville, July 10, 1862, Company
L under the command of Captain Harnden, attacked and routed a
detachment from Colonel Allen's command, capturing some and
putting the rest to flight. The regiment suffered greatly from
disease during its stay in Missouri, at one time, Captain Harnden
being in command, but three officers and sixty men were able to
ride. In 1863 the regiment was transferred to the Army of the
Cumberland. General Rosecranz writes under date of June 9,
"The First Wisconsin will be here (Murfreesborough, Tenn.,) by
Saturday," and from that time until the close of the war it is identi-
fied with that army, and participated in all its marches and battle2.
The official records, as a rule, are not greatly given to compliment-
ary phrasing, yet in those covering this period General Harnden is
repeatedly noticed for gallant conduct in action. "On the 26 (23)
five companies of the regiment (First Wisconsin) and a portion of
the Fourth Indiana Cavalry charged a brigade of Confederate
cavalry near Burnt Church . . . routing them
There Captain Harnden was severely wounded while gallantly lead-
ing the charge." Similar commendations which the limits of this
article forbid quoting may be found repeatedly in the official docu-
ments. The Wisconsin Roster briefly sums up General Harnden's
war record as follows: "Enlisted, Rome. Jeff. Co.. private. Q. M.
Serg. Promoted Capt. Co. I, January 1. 1862. Wounded. May 23,
1864, at Burnt Hickory, Ga. Promoted Major, May 24, 1864.

380 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Wounded, April 16, 1865. Brevet General, U. S. Vol., March 13,
1865." This brief record covers four years of service, over thirty
engagements, several severe wounds and a general line of conduct
as a soldier that carried him from the position of private to that of
brigadier general. Any person can read between the lines the full
meaning of this record. The memorial presented to Mrs. Harnden
by the G. A. R. upon the death of her distinguished husband per-
haps expresses as well as so brief a document can the place, which
General Harndon held in public esteem and in the hearts of his
comrades of the field.

"Brig. Gen. Henry Harnden, late Commander of the Department of
Wisconsin, G. A. R., enlisted as a private in the First Regiment, Wis-
consin Cavalry, August, 1862. He passed with conspicuous merit
through the office of corporal, quartermaster, sergeant, lieutenant,
captain, lieutenant-colonel, colonel to that of brevet brigadier general.
He distinguished himself during his military service on very many oc-
casions. In the spring of 1862, at the head of less than two hundred
men he charged a largely superior force of the enemy, at Scatterville, in
Missouri, capturing a large number of prisoners and a large quantity
of munitions of war. At the battle of Burnt Hickory, he made a bril-
liant attack with a force of about six hundred upon body of Confed-
erates numbering several thousand, driving them into' confusion and
defeat. Though badly wounded, he bade h's men fGo on' and not
mind him. He participated in over thirty battles and was wounded
several times ; yet amid it all no man ever saw him flinch for a moment
from the discharge of any duty involving the honor of a soldier or the
responsibility of a commander. The various names by which he was
called by the troops in his command such as 'Old Puritan,' 'The
Fighting Captain', and 'Old Honesty', bespoke the profound faith
and regard in which he was held by the men who placed their lives
and the honor of their country in his keeping. The famous General
McCook repeatedly selected him for the execution of the most danger-
ous and difficult expeditions and gave frequent expression to his con-
fidence in General Harnden's bravery, coolness and remarkable trust-
worthiness. The crowning glory of his long and arduous military ca-
reer was the capture of the fleeing president of the confederacy, Jeffer-
son Davis. At the close of the war he retired to his farm covered with
well-earned renown and enshrined in the affection of every man who
had served with him. One year ago his comrades of this department
selected him with great unanimity as their commander. He was old
and enfeebled with wounds, yet he gave to this new expression of their
trust the same full measure of devotion and adherence to dutv that had

BIOGRAPHICAL. 381

so richly characterized his whole life. His heart beat high and warm
for his old comrades and he entered upon the discharge of his duties
with the most inspiring zeal. In March last he obeyed the summons
of the Great Commander to 'come up higher'. His death was in full
keeping with the brave life he had led, and he was followed to his
grave by a guard of honor from his old regiment and a large concourse
of mourning friends. In this brief and inadequate recital of a few inci-
dents in the life of a brave and self-sacrificing patriot and citizen, we
are deeply impressed with the high standard of patriotic and political
duty which governed his life. Men like General Harndcn stand forth
as grand expositors to the youth of our country of the value of Amer-
ican institutions. He was a product of those institutions and gladly
made every sacrifice in their defence. We, his comrades, cherish his
memory and deeply mourn his death. To his family we extend the
sincere sympathy of men who knew him when 'tried by fire' and who
glory in the fact he was never found wanting." Although General
Harnden was. perhaps, best known to the general public in connection
with the dramatic episode of his capture of Jefferson Davis, yet that
was but one of a long succession of thrilling incidents connected with
his varied career. General Harndert's account of the capture, pub-
lished in 1898, in a dainty little volume, is an important historical doc-
ument in the consideration of the closing events of the war. Upon his
return from the field he entered actively into the interests of civil life ;
he was elected a member of the assembly from the third district of
Jefferson county, and in the legislature of 1867 was chairman of mil-
itary affairs. He was appointed by Governor Fairchild as one of the
trustees of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home and was financial agent of
the board. He was appointed United States assessor of the second col-
lection district of Wisconsin and later United States collector of in-
ternal revenue, which latter office he held for ten years. His later life
was spent in Madison. His death occurred March 17, 1900, and he is
survived by his wife and three daughters, Mrs. W. E. Main. Mrs.
Rhoda Clark and Miss Flora. One daughter, Laura, passed away be-
fore her father. The personal characteristics by which General
Harnden will be remembered by his intimate friends include a wonder-
full}' genial and kindly nature, which is not often found in connection
with the strong will and indomitable purpose which made him a great
commander. Many men have encircled the globe but few are able to
reproduce for the pleasure of their friends the life of other lands with
the vividness which characterized General Harnden's narratives. He
was par excellence, a story-teller, and as such will long be remembered
in the social circle and by the camp-fire of his comrades, as in the

382 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

larger world his memory will be revered for the greater deeds in the
defense of the institutions of his country.

Louis A. Harrison, the able and popular manager of the Brit-
tingham & Hixon Lumber Company at McFarland, is a native son of
Dane county, where he has pased practically his entire life thus far.
He has gained success by determined and legitimate effort, having been
dependent upon his own resources from his boyhood days. He was
born in Dunn township, July 10, 1863, and is a son of Osman and
Anna (Ottum) Harrison, both of whom were born and reared in Nor-
way, while they were numbered among the early settlers in Dane
county, the father having been a woodworker by vocation. Louis A.
Harrison early learned the lessons of practical industry, having com-
menced to work and aid in his own support when but ten years of age,
while his educational advantages were limited to a brief and irregular
attendance in the public schools. The only financial assistance he has
ever received from his boyhood days to the present was an inheritance
of seventy-five dollars from his father's estate. He has worked his
way upward on the ladder of success and is to-day in charge of im-
portant industrial interests, while he is also* the owner of a good farm,
in Blooming Grove township, in the immediate vicinity of McFarland.
He resides on his farm, which is well improved and under effective
cultivation, and his wife is the owner of an adjoining tract, making
the place a very desirable one. For a number of years Mr. Harrison
followed the vocation of draftsman and builder, having erected many
bu'ldings in this part of the county, and for the past six years he has
been manager of the business of the Brittingham & Hixon Lumber
Company, which controls a large busness. Mr. Harrison is a stanch
adherent of the Democratic party, is a member of the Order of
Beavers, and both he and his wife hold membership in the Norwegian
Lutheran church. In 1883 Mr. Harrison was united in marr'age to
Miss Betsey Swenson, who was born May 11, 1861, being a daughter
of Swen and Segne Sundwick Swenson, who are now residents of
North Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Harrison have eleven children, whose,
names, with respective dates of birth, are as follows: Hatt'e, March 16,
1884; Tilhe, February 9, 1887; Oscar, January 12, 1889; Willie, Janu-
ary 31, 1 891 ; Adolph, March 9, 1894; Laura, September 6, 1896;
Hazel and Hester, twins, July 25, 1898; Oden, September, 1899;
Idilla, September 2, 1901 ; and Luella, June 29, 1904.

David Harrop, retired, of the village of Mazomanie, was born in
Cheshire, England, January 20, 1825. His parents, John and Ann
(Murrissey) Harrop, were both natives of Cheshire, where John
Harrop worked at his trade of mining, (three hundred feet under

BIOGRAPHICAL. 383

the ground) and in later life took to farming-. They had eight chil-
dren, two of whom died in infancy. The others were Harriet, Anna,
Abram, John, Ann and David. The last is the only member living.
David was educated in the church schools of England and there
learned the tailor's trade. After a service of seven years he came to
America, landing in Boston and going from there directly to Mazo-
manie, where he arrived June 16, 1845. He was a member of the
British Temperance Emigration society, through whose influence he
got a farm in Iowa county after he had worked at bis trade for a time.
He now owns three hundred acres of farm land in Iowa county, be-
sides a farm near Mazomanie village. Politically he is a Republican,
but has never aspired to office. Mr. Harrop is a striking example
of Christian manhood and a devout member of the Congregational
church. His father and mother were both Methodists. On March 2,
1845, he married Mary, daughter of Robert and Martha Gorst, both
natives of Cheshire, England. Robert Gorst was one of the founders
of the British Temperance Emigration society. To David and Mary
Harrop were born eigiht children, four of whom are now living;
Martha Ann, wife of Frank Wilson, Iowa county, la.; John, manag-
ing a farm and a mill in Arena, Wis. ; Sarah Ellen, proprietor of the
Hotel Cumberland, Cumberland, Wis. ; and Wesley, farming the old
homestead farm. Mrs. Harrop died November 10, 1905. The chil-
dren all received the best education the schools of the vicinity afforded.
William Hartwig, an industrious and successful farmer of the
town of Deerfield, was born in Blomberg, Germany, October 24,
1857. He was one of four children of William and Minnie (Plot;
Hartwig, natives of Germany. His education was rather limited,
being only what the public schools of the Fatherland offered, and
the three years of soldier's life required of every German citizen.
William's service was from 1877 to 1880. In 1882 he came directly
to Wisconsin from the old country. For five years he worked as a
farm hand ; three years more he worked tobacco land on shares ;
two years longer he rented a farm and then he bought the farm of
one hundred and two acres which is now his home. Politically he
is independent ; religiously he is affiliated with the German
Lutheran church. On September 14. 1882. he married Mary,
daughter of Christian Blanck, a native of Germany. Mrs. Hartwig
was born May 8, 1859. Ten children were born of this marriage, —
Herman, August 22, 1883; Ida, April 29, 1885; Otto, April 2. 1887;
Addie, October 23, 1888; Albert, December 22, 1891; Amelia. Janu-
ary 26, 1893; Ella, May 23, 1895; Walter, June 11, 1897; Rudolph.
July 3, 1899 ; and Willie, January 22. 1902. Mr. Hartwig started to

384 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

win his way with the debt of his transportation to pay. His suc-
cess and prosperity are due to the thrift and industry which has
characterized his life. His domestic happiness can well be the
envy of his neighbors.

Lorenzo Hatch is a retired farmer of Marshall and an old resi-
dent of Dane county. His ancestors were members of the Connecti-
cut Colony and both his grandfather and great-grandfather, the latter
a major in Connecticut militia, served the patriot cause in the Revolu-
ionary War. Wells Hatch, the father of Lorenzo, was born in Con-
necticut in 1790, received his early education there and married Miss
Mary Rexford, likewise a native of Connecticut. Ten children
blessed their marriage of whom but one. Lorenzo, is living. Their
early married life was spent in New York and in 1814. Wells Hatch
took his family to Virginia, where in the operation of a saw-mill and
a farm his son Lorenzo assisted him. Lorenzo was born in Chenango
county, N. Y. March 17, 1823, attended the Sherman Academy in
Chenango county, N. Y. and accompanied his parents to Virginia.
Early in the year of 1851, Lorenzo- came to Wisconsin and pur
chased a farm of ninety acres near Marshall, where he now resides.
This he worked and improved and has made a pleasant home. In 1848,
he married Miss Clara E. Adsit, a native 'of New York and daughter of
Stephen and Betsey Adsit, early settlers of Dane county. Four chil-
dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hatch; Adsit C, Susan M. Mary
and Josephine. Some time after Mrs. Hatch's death in 1858, Mr.
Hatch married Miss Amelia Kellogg and three children were born
to them; Guy and Edith, both deceased, and Lorenzo, Jr., who is a
graduate of the Medina high school, a prosperous farmer and town
clerk. Mr. Hatch was again left alone by the death of his wife in
1879 and married Mrs. Achsa A. Parfrey, who died in 1893. Mr.
Hatch has been prominent in town affairs and is a Democrat in polit-
ical sympathy. He has served on the board of supervisors, for some
years as its chairman ; has been assessor and justice of peace.

Halvor Haugan, a prominent farmer of Pleasant Springs, was
born in the town of Pleasant Springs, Dane county, Wis., October
17, 1849. His parents were Ole and Malan (Grunhild) Haugan,
natives of Ever Telemarken, Norway. In 1848 they started for
America on a sailing vessel, the trip consuming eleven weeks.
After landing in New York they came west by way of the Erie
canal to Buffalo, thence to Milwaukee by steamer and from Mil-
waukee to Pleasant Springs by ox-team. The first year here the
father earned a living by hauling wheat to Milwaukee, the trip
taking a week each way. The price paid was worth the trip, as it

BIOGRAPHICAL. 385

never fell below forty cents a bushel. After hiring out for a year
the father bought one hundred and twenty acres of partially im-
proved land in Pleasant Springs township. There he built his
home and passed the rest of his days. Ole Haugan was a Repub-
lican in politics, and a Lutheran in religion. He helped build the
old log church where the Lutherans of the vicinity first worshipped.
Four children were born to him and his wife; Halvor. the subject
of this sketch, Samuel, a farmer of the town of Dunkirk, Ole, work-
ing the homestead farm, and Rachel, deceased, the wife of G. Nel-
son. Halvor Haugan's education was limited. He worked hard
as a boy and stayed at home until he was twenty-eight years old.
In 1877 he bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in sec-
tion 27, where he still resides. All the improvements on the place
Mr. Haugan has made. He built- his barn in 1883 and his home,
one of the finest in the county, in 1888. Later he added forty acres
to the farm, and today is known as a grower of high grade tobacco
A Republican in politics, he has served three years as school clerk
and two terms on the town board. In 1904 and 1905 he was a dele-
gate to the Farmers' National Convention, and has served on the
state central committee. He is a member of and an active in the
West Lutheran church of Pleasant Springs. On January 27, 1876.
he married Ingebor Everson, a native of Norway, who died Febru-
ary 2, 1900, aged forty-two. Seven children blessed this marriage :
Emma, wife of Charles Huber of Pleasant Springs, and the mother
of three children, Vilbut, Inez and Halvor H. ; Lena, wife of Erick
Hoverland, a farmer of Pleasant Springs ; Regina. Oscar, Nora,
Ruth and Hlarry, the last five being all at home. By his thrift and
energy Mr. Haugan has developed into one of ihe most prominent
and successful farmers of the community.

The Hausmann Brewing Company was represented for many
years by Joseph Hausmann who was born in Baden, Germany, May
26, 1828, and was the son of Jacob and Anna Hausmann. He came to
America in March, 1852, locating first at Freeport, 111., from which
point he move. I. in 1854, to Portage, Wisconsin, where he worked in
the brewery business until 1859. In 1863 he located in Madi-
son. Previous to this time, about 1858, William Voight had built up
a small brewery on the corner of State and Gorham streets, (on the
site now occupied by the Hausmann brewery), and the breaking out
of the Civil War, the establishment of Camp Randall, and the conse-
quent influx of not only soldiers, but many civilians, greatly increased
die business of the brewery, and it was during this flush of business
that the plant was purchased by Joseph Hausmann. He is a man of
25— iii

386 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

much business ability and under his management the plant was en-
larged from time to time, by the build. ng of the brew-house, ice-
houses, cooling and storage rooms, etc., until it occupied more than
two-thirds ot the block. Mr. Hausmann carried on the business in
his own name until 1892 when it was incorporated and three of his
sons were actively associated with him in the business. Joseph Haus-
mann was president of the corporation, William P., vice-president,
Carl J., secretary and treasurer, and another son, Otto B., was also in-
terested as a stock-holder. October 22, 1902, the senior member of the
firm retired, Carl J. was elected president and Otto B., vice-president.
Air. Hausmiann's death followed not long after his retirement. Joseph
Hausmann served in the army in his native country and saw fourteen
months of active service in the revolution of 1848 — 49 and received a
sabre wound on one cheek. He was married July 1, 1858, to Miss
Sarah Blass, who was born in New York city, February 11, 1839.
They had six children, Albertna, born March 7, 1859; William P.,
born March 7, 1861 ; Carl J. born February 3, 1863; Otto B., born
April 27, 1865; Oscar, born November 20, 1867, and died October 21,
1879, and Clara, born November 15, 1869, and died March 6, 1871.
Mr. Joseph Hausmann belonged to the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows and the family is connected with the German Catholic church.
Rev. Christian J. Hausner. the able and honored pastor of St.
Mary's church, at Pine Bluff, Cross Plains township, is one of the
earnest workers of the Catholic church in Dane county and is well
entitled to representation in this publication. Father Hausner was
born in Pleasant Prairie township, Kenosha county, Wisconsin,
February 6. 1873, and is a son of Christoph and Katherine (Engel)
Hausner, both native of Simern, Luxemburg, (Germany), where the
former was born in 1831 and the latter in 1841. Christoph Hausner
immigrated to America in 1856, becoming one of the pioneer far-
mers of Kenosha county, where he has since maintained his home
and where he is held in high esteem by all who know him. He is
a communicant of St. George's church, in the city of Kenosha, and
has been active in the parish work for many years. His marriage
to Miss Katherine Engel was solemnized February 6, 1862, and her
death occurred November 18. 1898. Of their twelve children four
died in infancy, and concerning the others the following data are en-
tered, the names being mentioned in the order of birth :. Henry,
died March 12, 1898; John is a farmer in Kenosha county; Matthew
completed his educational training in the Catholic normal school
at St. Francis, Wisconsin, and was thereafter 1 successful teacher,
following the pedagogic profession fifteen years and now being a

BIOGRAPHICAL. 387

traveling salesman, with residence at Keoltztown, Osage county,
Missouri; Susan is the wife of Henry Beien, of Kenosha, Wiscon-
sin ; Mary and Frank remain with their father on the old home-
stead, of which the latter has the general charge. Rev. Christian ).,
of this sketch, was the next in order of nativity ; and Katherine is
the wife of John Radigan, of Kenosha. The subject ot this brief
tribute secured his rudimentary, education in the district school
near his home and thereafter continued his studies in the parochial
school of St. George's church, in Kenosha. In 1889 he entered St.
Francis Seminary, at St. Francis, Milwaukee county, where he com-
pleted the prescribed course in 1898, being duly graduated and be-
ing ordained to the priesthood on June 19, of that year. He said his
first mass in St. George's church, Kenosha, on June 26, 1898, and
his first charge was that of assistant in St. Joseph's church, in the
city of Milwaukee. He was then appointed pastor of St. Mary's
church, at Bristol, Kenosha county, with Wilmot as a mission
This latter charge had been vacant sixteen years, and Father Haus-
ner succeeded in infusing much of vitality into the spiritual and
temporal life of the parish, where he remained four years, at the
expiration of which he came to his present charge, where he labors
with all zeal and consecration in his holy calling. Since he came
to the parish a new rectory has been erected at a cost of $3,500
and many improvements made in and about the church. He has
merited the good will and high esteem not only of his own people
but of the whole community.

Hank H. Hawkinson is a substantial land owner of the town of
Dunn. His birthplace was McFarland and the date, September 22,
1 861. His parents were Hans and Christene Hawkinson, natives of
Norway. Hans Hawkinson came to Dane county in 1857. For sev-
eral years he earned a livlihood by hiring out to different farmers,
accumulating enough money to purchase sixty-one and one-half acres
of land in the town of Dunn. From time to time he added to this
until in 1883 it contained some two hundred and eighty odd acres.
Hank Hawkinson received his educat'on in the district schools of
Dunn township. When twenty-two years old he purchased two
hundred and sixty-four and one-half acres of the homestead, the
father retaining eighteen acres to which he retired when he gave up
active farm life. Since 1883 he has conducted this farm with great
success. In politics Mr. Hawkinson is a Democrat. In religious af-
fairs he unites with the Norwegian Lutheran church. On March 15,
1882 he married Carrie, daughter of Mike and Marie Larson of the
town of Pleasant Springs. Mrs. Hawkinson was born December n,

388 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

1857, in Norway, and she received her education in the schools of
Stoughton. Her parents came to Dane county when she was three
years old. By her union with Air. Hawkinson she is the mother of
seven children, — Harlie Julius, born August I, 1883; Alfred Marvin,
born February 2$, 1885; Bennie Christian, November 14, 1886; Leman
Clarence, born July 11, 1892; Ella Maria, born July 3, 1894; Clara
Hannah, born December 14, 1896; and Edwin Samuel, born October
2, 1899. All the children are living at home. By frugality and per-
severance Mr. Hawkinson has become one of the prosperous citizens
of the community. His wife has truly been a helpmate, as well as an
inspiration. Mr. Hawkinson had one sister, now Mrs. Roge, of the
town of Rutland. His mother died in 1901 while making her home
with this daughter.

John D. Hayes, Madison's pioneer blacksmith and horseshoer,
whose place of business at 212 and 214 South Pinckney street, was
born in the capital city June 3, 1859. He comes of good Irish stock,
his parents, Dennis and Ann (McCormick) Hayes, having both been
born on the Emerald Isle, the father in the city of Limerick and the
mother in the County Tipperary. Dennis Hayes was a tailor who
learned his trade in the city of Limerick and from the time of his
coming to this city in 1847 to the time °f ms death, August 3, 1862,
was employed in the M. S. Klauber company. He was an honest up-
right man, well and favorably known among his neighbors. His
wife died at the age seventy years in 1882. She was a kindly,
motherly woman, one of those ever ready to assist in case of sickness.
They had four children. James, for many years yardmaster for the
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, met his death in a railroad
accident. Patrick died in 1881 at the age of twenty-three. He was a
skillful horseshoer, learning his trade with Judge Anthony Donovan,
for whom he worked six years. Margaret is the wife of Frank Brad-
ford, a conductor on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway.
The youngest was John D. He received his education in the public
schools of his native city and served his apprenticeship as a horse-
shoer under Judge Donovan, for whom he worked eight years, in
the same shop which he now conducts. In 1886 he purchased a half
interest in the establishment and two years later assumed entire con-
trol. He is one of the three oldest men following this vocation in
the city. On November 25, 1885, Mr. Hayes was united in marriage to
Mary, daughter of Peter and Mary (Naughtin) Barry of Madison.
Mrs. Barry was an aunt of Rev. Father John M. Naughtin of St.
Raphael's church, Madison. Mr. Barry was a native of the same
city in Ireland from which Dennis Hayes hailed, coming to Wiscon-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 38&

sin in 1842. For many years, until his death in 1904, he conducted
a grocery store on Main street in Madison. Mr. and Mrs Barry
had four children. James H. was for several years private secretary
to ex-Senator William F. Vilas and a graduate of the department of
law of the University of Wisconsin in the class of 1884. From Mad-
ison he went to Milwaukee, where he was connected with the legal
firm Jenkins, Bottom and Vilas and later,, in Chicago, with Keep
& Loudan. His death occurred in 1893. He was a most promising
young man and his death cast a pall of gloom over the whole com-
munity. Miss Sarah Barry makes her home in Chicago. Bridget
resides in Madison. Mary became the wife of John D. Hayes. Mr.
and Mrs. Hayes 'have five children; Mary, for some time librarian for
Prof. Harper of the department of botany of the state university;
Martha, John, Margaret and Sarah Romona. The family are mem-
bers of the Catholic church. Mr. Hayes is prominent in Catho-
lic fraternal circles, being a Catholic Knight, a Forester and a Knight
of Columbus. Politically he is a Democrat and as such served two
consecutive terms of two years each in the city council. He fathered
the twelve o'clock closing ordinance for saloons and was influential
in the passage of many of the measures relating to streets. At the
present time (1906) he is a member of the board of water commis-
sioners.

George Haynes is numbered among the prosperous farmers and
exemplary citzens of the town of Rutland, where he has resided for
several years, although his residence in Dane county covers the period
of his lifetime, with the exception of the first two years. He was
born in Washtenaw county, Mich., December 22, 1854. and is one of
five children born to Marvin H. and Angeline (Speer) Haynes, the
father being a native of the state of New York ?nd the mother of
Washtenaw county, Mich. Of the children born to these parents four
are living, the names and places of residence of whom are as follows:
George, the subject of this review, resides in the town of Rutland;
Almon, of the village of Brooklyn; Nora, the wife of Zala Baldwin, of
the city of Madison, and Irene, who is now Mrs. Lev/is Ford of the
village of Brooklyn. The parents of these children came to Wiscon-
sin and settled in the town of Rutland, Dane county, in 1856, and for
about two years the father worked as a common laborer, seldom if
ever receiving more than fifty cents per day. He was then employed
in a saw and grist-mill for four years, as general manager, and gave
up this position to become a soldier in the Union army He enlisted
August 10, 1861, in Company D, Seventh Regiment of Wisconsin in-
fantry as a private, and served with it until February 25, 1863, when

390 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

he was discharged on account of disability caused by a wound received
at the battle of Gainesville, Virginia. The Seventh Regiment, to which
Mr. Haynes belonged, became a part of the celebrated "Iron Brigade,"
the history of which is familiar to every one who has taken more than
a passing interest in the part that Wisconsin took in the Civil War.
The engagement at Gainesville, Va., August 28, 1862, was one of the
bloodiest battles of the war, and the fact was attested in the calendar
of many a Wisconsin homestead, as it was fought by the "Iron
Brigade" alone, which suffered severely in killed and wounded, Mr.
Haynes being among the latter. After being mustered out of the
service he purchased forty acres of land in the town of Rutland, later
added fifty-six acres, and resided on this farm about thirty years. He
then sold out and bought a comfortable home in the village of Brook-
lyn, where he lived in retirement until his death, October 6, 1902.
The mother died in Madison, December 30, 1904. George Haynes,
whose name introduces this memoir, was less than two years old
when his parents moved from the Wolverine state to Wisconsin, and
he received his education in the seminary at Evansville, Rock county.
At the age of seventeen years he began as an apprentice to learn the
trade of a carpenter, but after one year he found that the work was
too hard for him, so he returned home and worked as a farm hand
until he reached the age of twenty-two. He then began working rented
land, paying cash rent for about fifteen years, when he was able to buy
a farm of one hundred acres in the town of Oregon. He then sold this
farm and bought another in the town of Rutland, upon which he has
since had his residence. The date of his marriage was October 29,
1876, and the lady of his choice was Miss. Ellen Guernsey, who was
born in the town of Dunkirk, February 24, 1857. Mrs. Haynes is one
of eleven children born to Otis and Adeline. (Aldridge) Guernsey, of
whom seven are living, as follows : Adelaide, now Mrs. Bolles, cf
Knapp, Wis.; Freeman, who resides at Voltaire, N. D.; Amasa, of
Huron, S. D. ; Eben, of Voltaire, N. D. ; Ida, now Mrs. Palmer of
Stoughton, Wis. ; Alice, the wife of B. J. Kehoe, of Madison, and El-
len, who is the wife of the subject of this review. Mr. and Mrs.
Haynes are the parents of five children, the names and other facts con-
cerning whom are given as follows : Ernest E. married Silvia Wilcox
and resides in the town of Dunkirk; Iva Maud is the wife of Asa
Goodrich, of Milton, Rock county, Wis.; Leila Angeline, now Mrs.
Geo. Jackson of Milton, Wis.; Marvin Otis and Ida Frances reside at
home. Mr. Haynes is a Republican in his political affiliations, and
though he has never sought office he has served as school director for
a number of terms. His religious views are expressed by a member-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 391

ship in the Methodist church, and his standing- is very high in the
community in which he resides ; Tor he is known as a man of much
energy and natural ability, a kind and loving husband and father, pub-
lic spirited and ever ready to assist a worthy cause.

Charles R. Head, M. D., was one of the honored pioneer physi-
cians and surgeons of Albion, where he was engaged in the prac-
tice of his profession for nearly half a century and where his death
occurred June 19. 1906, about two months prior to his eighty-sixth
birthday. Dr. Head was born in Alfred, Alleghany county, Newr
York, August 30, 1820, being a son of Solomon and Sarah (Coon)
Head, both representative of families founded in America in the
colonial epoch. The mother was a descendant of the prominent old
Maccoon family, which was settled in Rhode Island in an early
day. Solomon Head was a contractor and also owned a large farm
in the Susquehanna valley, near Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania . from
which state he removed with his family to the state of New York,
where they maintained their home for a number of years. They
then set forth for the wilds of Wisconsin, settling in Milton, Rock
county, as pioneers of 1839. In 1843 Solomon Head established a
home in Albion township, Dane county, where he purchased one
hundred and sixty acres of government land, the entire tract be-
ing in the wild state, and here he reclaimed a considerable portion,
both he and his wife remaining on the homestead until they were
summoned from the field of life's endeavors. Both were zealous
and devoted members of the Seventh-day Baptist church. To them
were born six children, and of the number only two are now living,
Sylvia and Henry, both of whom remain resident of Albion town-
ship. Dr. Head, subject of this memoir, passed his youth in the
state of New York and received good educational advantages, hav-
ing attended college at Alfred, that' state, and Castleton. Vermont,
and having secured his medical education by private study and by
attendance in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York
city, from which celebrated institution he was graduated with the
degree of doctor of medicine, in 1848. He forthwith rejoined his
parents, in Albion, Dane county, Wisconsin, where he entered upon
the active work of his chosen profession, in which he there con-
tinued for forty-five years. None unfamiliar with the conditions
which obtained in those early pioneer days when he first essayed
his labors in this section can fully understand the arduous and un-
remitting toil, the self-abnegation and the generous fidelity which
actuated this typical physician of the day. The country was thinly
settled, roads were none or of the most primitive type, and in sum-

392 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

mer's heat or winter's rigors and storms Dr. Head made his way,
night or day, over many weary stretches of road to minister to
those in affliction, and his kindly ministrations and cheerful pres-
ence brought comfort to many an isolated sufferer. His name was
a familiar one in almost every household in the region and his prac-
tice extended even beyond the environs thereof. When he was
called to his final rest, in the fullness of years and honors, there
were many of the representative families, of even the second and
third generations, who felt his loss with a sense of deep personal
bereavement. He was significantly humanity's friend, and he rode
and wrote during a long and active life, bearing comfort and conso-
lation and encouragement into many a home. The family retained
possession of the original farm in Albion township, gradually add-
ing to its area until it comprised a valuable landed estate of two
hundred and forty acres, and of this property Dr. Head also had
the general care and supervision during his father's declining years.
The place has since been divided among his children, with the ex-
ception of the homestead of eighty acres which he retained to him-
self until his death and which continues to be the residence of his
widow. The doctor was a stanch supporter of the Union cause
during the climacteric period of the Civil War, and from 1863 to
1865 he was surgeon of the board of enrollment. For three terms
he served as a member of the assembly in the state legislature, — in
1854. 1856 and 1863, and he was uncompromising in his allegiance
to the Republican party. He stood in all things for the highest
type of citizenship, doing all in his power to further the material,
moral and civic development and prosperity of his county and state
and having been especially interested in educational affairs. He
was one of those primarily instrumental in founding Albion
Academy, for the support of which he contributed generous sums
of money, besides furnishing" a large amount of material for the
construction of the academy buildings. For forty years he was
president of the board of directors of the institution. His religious
faith was that which made for faithfulness in all the relations of
life, and his was a symmetrical and noble and useful manhood.
May 13, 1854, was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Flead to Miss
Seraphkia Potter, daughter of Joseph and Rachel (West) Pottei,
of Rensselaer county, New York, who removed thence to Wiscon-
sin in 1848, purchasing a farm in Albion township, this county,
where they passed the residue of their lives. Dr. and Mrs. Head
became the parents of four children, namely: Charles R., who died

BIOGRAPHICAL. 393

in 1858; Grace, who died in infancy; Dr. Louis R. who is a repre-
sentative physician of the city of Madison, where he controls a
large practice ; and Mark A., who is one of the successful agricul-
turists of Albion township, residing on a portion of the old home-
stead ; he was engaged in the drug business for a number of years
but was compelled to retire on account of impaired health.

John F. Hebl was born in Austria. October 20, 1846, and came to
America with his parents when he was three years old ; his first home
was in Jefferson county, and it was in the common schools of that
county that he received his education ; after a residence there of
twenty-five years he came to Dane, (1876). He located on the farm
which is at the present time his home, and entered into the life of the
community as a member of the Catholic church, as a member of the
Grange, as a supervisor of the township, — an office to which he was
elected several times, ait the present time serving his second term as
as chairman of the board, — and, since 1890. as president of the
Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Co. He married, in i860, Miss
Frances Springer, daughter of Joseph and Anna Springer, early
Gterman settlers of Medina township. Their children are Matilda,
Mary, Charles, Alvina, U'lma, Dotty and Tena, of whom all except
Tena and Lotty are living. Mr. Hebl's parents, John and Mary
(Odoum) Hebl, were natives of Austria, and came to the United
States in 1850, making their home in Jefferson county, where Mrs.
Hebl died the same year; her husband survived her nearly half a
century, dying in 1897. He was a farmer by occupation, a Democrat,
— as was also his son, the subject of this sketch, — and both he and his
wife were members of the Catholic church. Of their seven children
five are living.

Charles M. Heer, one of the prominent farmers and stock breed
ers of Roxbury township, has been a life-long resident of Dane county,
having been born in the township in which he resides, June 25, 1868.
He is a son of Martin and Amelia (Honeisen) Herr, both of whom
are natives of Germany, the former being born in 1826 ami the latter
on April 7, 1832. The father migrated to America about 1847 or
1848, and the mother a year or two later, both settling in the state of
New York, where they met, and they were married in 1850. Four
years later they continued their travels westward, selecting Wisconsin
as the state for their permanent abode, and after a vear spent in Dodge
county they came to Dane county and established their home in Rox-
bury township, on the farm now owned in partnership by their son,
George M., and daughter, Anna. Here they lived the remainder ol
their lives, maintaining the high regard of their neighbors and the

394 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

veneration of dutiful children. They were members of the Lutheran
church, and the father claimed allegiance to the Democratic party.
These worthy parents had born to them eight children, and it is fitting
in this memoir that mention should be made of each: John, the eld-
est, is a prosperous farmer in Sauk county. Margaret and Emma are
residents of Lodi. George M. remains upon the old homestead of one
hundred and fifty-three acres, and also owns eighty acres in Dane
township; with his brother (the firm being known as Heer Bros.), he is
a breeder of Short-horn cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs ; he is also an
extensive feeder of stock. In politics he is a Republican. Anna also
lives on the homestead. Mary, another daughter, died at the age of
four years and three months. Charles M. is the immediate subject
of this review, and Frank is a resident of Caledonia, Wis. Charles
M. Heer received his education in the common schools of the vicinity
and in the high school at Lodi. Upon reaching manhood he decided
to make farming his life's occupation, and that he selected wisely is
shown by the flattering success that has been his portion. He owns a
fine farm of one hundred and ninety acres, and is an extensive breeder
of short-horned cattle and Shropshire sheep. He showed his cattle
at the international stock show in Chicago., in 1905, and had the dis-
tinction of receiving several first premiums. At the Wisconsin state
fair he took nearly all of the second, besides some first premiums.
He also raises Duroc Jersey hogs, and is an extensive feeder and ship-
per of live stock in general. For "Royal Sultan," the prize-winner at
the international stock show, standing at the head of the short-horned
herd, the owner has refused $3,000. In politics Mr. Heer is an adher-
ent of the Republican faith, and has filled the position of clerk of his
district for twelve years in succession. He wds married, on May 8,
1893, to Miss Mary M. Mills, of Columbia county, Wis., the daughter
of Job and Mary Amanda (Dye) Mills, who were very early settlers
of Columbia county, and who now reside in Lodi, Mr. Mills being an
extensive land-owner (and an active, participant in affairs generally.
Mr. and Mrs. Heer have a family of four very interesting and prom-
ising children : Francis, Vernon, Josephine and Marion.

William C. Hegelmeyer, secretary of the Storghton AVagon Co.,
is of German origin. His grandfather, Frederick Hegelmeyer, was one.
of the advance guard of the mighty army of Germans who1 settled in
Milwaukee county, where he located in 1835. He was a farmer in
Milwaukee county as was also Leonard Wiler, maternal grandfather
of William Hegelmeyer, who came to Milwaukee county from Penn-
sylvania in 1836. John Hegelmeyer, son of Frederick, was foreman
of a lumber yard in Milwaukee and for several vears was ward fore-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 395

man for the eleventh ward of that city. He served four years in the
Civil War as a piivate in Company C, Twenty-fourth Wisconsin Vol-
unteer Infantry, participated in the battles of Missionary Ridge,
Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and minor engagements and saw
much hard service. He married Hannah Wiler and both are now
living at Greenfield. Milwaukee county, retired from active life.
Their son William was born in Milwaukee county, October 16, 1869,
received his education in the Milwaukee public school and high school
and also attended Excelsior College in Milwaukee. W-hen a young
man he left home and entered the employment of the T. G. Mandt
Manufacturing Co. at Stoughton as a stenographer. With this com-
pany which is now known as the Stoughton Wagon Co. he has been
connected ever since and has been secretary for over three years.
Mr. Hegelmeyer is affiliated with the Republican party and takes an
active interest in local affairs. In 1895 be was city clerk of Stough-
ton and was elected a second time without opposition. He has also
served on the city council as alderman from the fourth ward and
has been vice-president of the board of education. Mr. Hegelmeyer
is a member of the K. of P., U. R. K. of P. and the Modern Wood-
men of the World. February 28, 1891, he was married to Miss Fleta B.
Hibbard of Stoughton, daughter of John M. and Jennie (Warren)
Hibbard, Four children were born to the marriage; Warren, Grace,
Harlow and Gretchen.

William Heiliger was for nearly thirty years a well known citi-
zen of Madison, where he worked at the trade of a blacksmith and for
a few years prior to his death conducted a livery business. He was a
native of Germany, from which country so many of Dane county's
residents came, and he was born there on January 28, 1837. He re-
ceived his education in the excellent schools of the Fatherland, and at
the age of eighteen years migrated to America. He first located in
Milwaukee, and there worked at his trade for about two> years, when
the promising inducements offered by the thriving village of Madison
attracted him hither and he resided within her confines the remainder
Of his life. He soon became one of the leading blacksmiths of the cap-
ital city and followed that employment during the greater part of his
active life, but in the late years conducted a livery business, meeting
with flattering success in all of his undertakings. His livery estab-
lishment was on East Washington Avenue. While not an office-seeker
in any sense of the term ,yet he took the interest of a good citizen in
public affairs and rendered an unswerving allegiance to the principles
and policies of the Democratic part)'. His religious faith was attested
by a life-long membership in the Catholic church, and he was also a

396 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

member of the St. Michael's society. Mr. Heiliger was married on
November 10, 1866, to Miss Frances Minch, who was also a native of
Germany and the daughter of John and Salone (Fisher) Minch, who
migrated to America and became prominent residents of the town of
Montrose, where the father followed the occupation of farming. The
parents are now deceased, as are three of the five children born to
them, the surviving ones being Frank H. Minch, of Paoli, Wis., and
the wife of the subject of this review. Mr. and Mrs. Heiliger became
the parents of five children, all of whom were born in Madison and
received their education in the city schools. Their names follow :
Adeline, Elenora, Emma. Otto, and Walter. The latter is a dentist,
having received his professional education in the dental college at
Milwaukee. Mrs. Heiliger resides in her pleasant home at No. 320
West Wilson Street, in Madison.

John B. Heim, superintendent of the Madison city waterworks,
now serving his twenty-fourth year, was born in Rochester, N. Y.,
July 15, 1848. His father, Conrad Heim, was a native of Unter-
le'chtersbach, Bavaria, Germany, and a son of John Heim, a prominent
leader in his township. Anastasia (Aut) Heim, mother of fhe~sub-
ject of this sketch, was born near Fulda, Hesse, Germany. The
father of subject emigrated to America in 1846, the mother coming
the year following, to seek their fortunes in the new world, leaving
behind in the old country their parents, brothers and sisters. They
both made the voyage across in sailing vessels and in each instance
fifty-six days were spent on the waiter. They first met and became ac-
quainted at Rochester, N. Y., and in that city they were married. The
father was a tailor by trade and at this trade he found work in Roches-
ter, and soom he had accumulated a sufficiency to establish a home. The
depression in business caused by the hard times of the year 1857, was
the cause of the father leaving the east the following year and coming
west, he and his family landing in Madison on April 22, 1858. From the
east he brought with him a stock of goods and he opened a clothing
store in this city. But the fashions of the eastern goods being ahead of
those of the west, and the hard times following him, he did not succeed
in his undertaking, and finally his entire accumulations were swept
away. Later, however, he again engaged in business on a small scale,
meanwhile learning the art of cutting. To the latter vocation he finally
gave all his attention and became assistant cutter in the establishment
of Samuel Klauber & Co. On May 27, 1865, the mother departed
this life aged forty-three years. The father was again marrie-d and,
after living a retired life for many years, died Xovember 11, 1900, at
the ripe old age of seventy-nine years. John B., the eldest of a family

BIOGRAPHICAL. 397

of ten children, received a common school education, leading his class
in the different grades and was anxious for a higher education, but
because of the misfortune of his parents was unable to obtain it, and
was apprenticed to B. W. Suckow to learn the trade of a book-binder,
and assisted his parents in the support of the family until he was over
twenty-one years of age. He finished the trade in all its branches and
accepted the management of the establishment of W. J. Park & Co.,
April 12, 1871., which position he resigned October 11, 1882. During
this period of over eleven years, he built up a large trade and re-
gained the state work which had been lost to the firm; secured the
supreme court reports, which work had been lost to a firm in Chicago ;
secured the work of the city and university libraries ; designed the
new cover for the blue book and the style for the geological reports,
both of which were adopted ; and carried off the first prize for the
best and most artistic work at both the state and county fairs. In
April, 188 1, he was nominated, against his wishes, as alderman in the
republican second ward and elected for a term of two years. This
was a turning point in his career. At the first meeting of the common
council. May 1881, an ordinance for a franchise for a system of water-
works by a private corporation was introduced. This he opposed at
once and had it referred to a select committee of four citizens and four
members of the common council, of which committee he was made a
member. The company, fearing the opposition, withdrew, and an-
other company asked for a franchise. Alderman Heim again took the
lead, urging municipal ownership, and backed by Mayor James Conk-
lin and the city attorney, R. M. Bashford, succeeded in defeating the
ordinance, and legislation was secured by which the city was em-
powered to construct, own and operate its own waterworks. Mr.
Heim, the youngest member of the council, was then made chairman
of a committee of construction, which committee rendered most ef-
ficient service to the city. On completion of the work Mr. Heim, at
the urgent request of the mayor, city attorney, city clerk and members
of the committee, after a two weeks deliberation, accepted the manage-
ment of the waterworks and was so elected by the common council.
From a plant, the original cost of construction of which was
$95,027.54 with twelve and one-half miles of water mains, it has
grown, under the supervision of Mr. Heim, until the plant now repre-
sents a valuation of $453,224.51 with forty-six and one-half miles
of main and a total indebtedness of only $35,000. Superintendent
■Heim was always an advocate of the meter system and in his first
annual report recommended its adoption by the city. Finally, in
1888, after presistently urging the matter, the general meter sysem

398 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

was adopted, Madison as a city, taking the lead in this method of
selling water. In May, 1895, Supt. Heim presented a paper at the
national convention of the American Water Works Association at
Atlanta, Ga., on his experience with water meters. This gave him a
national reputation and was the incentive to a general adoption of the
meter system not only in municipalities but by water companies as
well. Mr. Heim has also presented the following papers at national
conventions : "Laying and Lowering of Water-mains," Denver, Colo.,
1897; "Meters and Meter Rates," Buffalo, N. Y., 1898; "Artesian
Wells," Richmond, Va., 1899; "Thawing of Frozen Mains and Ser-
vices by Electricity," Columbus, O., 1900; "Management of Water
Works," Chicago, 111., 1901; "Meter Rates," St. Louis, Mo., 1903.
Superintendent Heim has held important positions on committees of
the American Water Works Association, being chairman of the .pub-
lishing committee, through whose hands all papers must pass before
they are read at the convention; member of the executive committee;
and vice-president for years, which position he now holds. As an ex-
pert in his line he has a reputation all over Wisconsin, and his services
have been frequently secured by different cities and companies as ap-
praiser in the sale or transfer of water works plants. He has repre-
sented as appraiser the cities of Sheboygan, Appleton, Waukesha,.
Portage, and was the expert to accept plants at Evansville, Wis., and
at Jefferson, Wis. He has also been called as expert to Fond du Lac
and Monroe, Wis., and was recently appointed as chairman of the
commission to appraise the plant of the Water Co. at Monroe, Wis.
Mr. Heim's long service of twenty-three years as superintendent of
the Madison city water works, demonstrates his entire fitness for the
position. He has taken an active part in city matters and has served
on innumerable committees. Politically he is a Democrat, and has
been a delegate to city, county, congressional and state conventions.
He is religiously inclined and is a member of the Holy Redeemer
congregation, being its secretary in 1877-8, the youngest member ever
elected, and now again serving his seventh year. He is a member of
the board of directors. In 1892, he was appointed, by the archbishop,
cha'rman of a committee to erect a large school building in Madison,
but preferred to have the oldest member act as such and nominated
him, Mr. Heim accepting the chairmanship of a committee to solicit
the funds. The amount raised by the committee exceeded $13,000.
He is the founder of a free eight grade school in connection with the
parish. He was chairman of the three bazaars held by the congre-
gation to liquidate the church debt, which netted the congregation
$14,190, author of an Easter offering which netted $4,300. He is

BIOGRAPHICAL. 399

also a member of the St. Michael's Benevolent Society and was its
secretary from 1891 to 1897, and has been its president for eight years,
since 1898, which is for a longer period than any former president
lias served. He represented the society at the national and at every
state convention, and has been a member of the executive comm.ttee
of the state organization since 1891. He is a member of the Catholic
Knights of Wisconsin and has been treasurer of the local branch for
years and its president for five years longer than any predecessor.
Mr. Heim is also a member of the Relief Association, Madison No. 2,
which was originally a hand fire-engine company, and of which he
was a torch boy. This company afterwards organized itself into a
benevolent association and will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary July
30, 1906. Mr. Heim is now serving his thirty-fourth year as secre-
tarv and is chairman of the Golden Jubilee committee. He was mar-
ried to Miss Mary E. Rickenbach who was born in the town of Bloom-
ing Grove, Dane county, in 1853. Her parents and grandparents
were all natives of Pennsylvania, and her father, Abraham Ricken-
bach, was one of the early settlers of Dane county. Mrs. Heim d.ed
in Madison, May 14. 1889, aged thirty-six, after suffering as an in-
valid for many years. She was the mother of four children, Oliva,
John B. Jr., Katie and Petronilla. Mr. He m afterward married
Miss Prudence Rickenbach, a sister of his first wife, and they have one
daughter, Mary Prudence.

John K. Helgerson, a prosperous farmer of the town of Dunn,
was born on the farm where he now resides on May 13, 1863. He
was the fourth of five children of Knute and Breta (Iverson) Helger-
son, natives of Norway; the other children living are Eric, a farmer
in the town of Dunn, and Anna, now Mrs. Ere of Soldiers Grove
The subject's mother with her first husband, a Mr. Olson, came to
Dane county from Milwaukee on foot. The husband worked as a
farm hand in the town of Cottage Grove for a couple of years, and
then did the same work for a couple of years in the town of Dunn,
where he died, leaving a widow and four children, only one of whom
is living, Thomas Olson of Fort Dodge. la. Knute Helgerson went
to Canada from Norway; from Norway he drifted to Wisconsin, where
he had the same work as in Canada, — grading on the railroad.
Shortly after his arrival in Wisconsin he married Mrs. Olson and pur-
chased eighty acres of land in the town of Dunn. From time to time
he added to it, until at the time of his death in 1882 he had two hun-
dred and eleven acres. John K. Heleerson received his education in
the district schools in the town of Dunn and in the Northwestern Busi-
ness College of Madison. He was but nineteen years old at the time

400 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

of his father's death, but under a guardian he bought forty acres of his
father's place and started life for himself. So successful was he that
before many years he was enabled to add to the place until it con-
tained one hundred and nineteen acres. Not long ago he sold forty
acres, realizing a handsome profit on it. In politics Mr. Helgerson
is independent. His religious affiliations are with the Norwegian
Lutheran church. In 1893 he married Bessie, daughter of Peter and
Mary (Iverson) Hanson, natives of Norway. Mrs. Helgerson was
born February 19, 1864, received her education in the common schools
of Norway and was the only member of a family of ten to come to
America. Six children have blessed this union, — Maltha Berdena,
born December 15, 1893; Clifford Johan, born July 18, 1895; Nora,
born September 10, 1897; Inger, born February 20, 1899; Anna Ber-
tina, March 31, 1901 ; and Athel Caroline, August 11, 1903. Mr. Hel-
gerson's domestic relations are such that any man might well be
proud of them. His spare moments are given to the entertainment
of his children. For several months his wife has been in failing health
and it has been the husband's most devoted effort to relieve her of the
drudgery attendant upon a woman's part of the farm life, and to make
her comfortable. Although he has expended a goodly part of his
hard-earned savings in attempts to benefit his consort, he does not
begrudge it. If he thought the remainder of his wealth would make
her well he would willingly use it all, and begin again at the bottom
of the ladder.

Ole Hellickson, who is engaged in the merchant tailoring, cloth-
ing and men's furnishing goods business in the city of Stoughton,
controls a most prosperous enterprise and is one of the popular busi-
ness men of the city. Mr. Hellickson is a native of Norway, having
been born December 25, 1853, and having thus been a welcome Christ-
mas guest in the home of his parents, Hellick and Bertt (Hellicks-
datter) Christenson. He was reared and educated in his native land,
where also he served a thorough apprenticeship, of three years' dura-
tion, at the tailor's trade. For two years thereafter he was engaged in
business on his own account, and he then decided to come to America,
whither many of his sterling countrymen had preceded him. In May,
1876, he landed in New York city, whence he came forthwith to Dane
county, taking up his residence in Stoughton. where he worked at
his trade, as a journeyman, for four years, at the expiration of which,
in 1880, he engaged in business in an independent way. From a small
beginning he has built up a flourishing enterprise and he caters to
a discriminating and appreciative trade. In 1889 his establishment
was destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of one thousand dollars, and he

BIOGRAPHICAL. 401

at once erected his present building, which is modern and well equip-
ped and he has attained prestige as one of the leading merchants of
the city. In politics he is a Republican, he is affiliated with the Mod-
ern Woodmen of America, and both he and his wife hold member-
ship in Christ Norwegian Lutheran church. July 29, 1885, Mr. Hel-
lickson was united in marriage to Miss Anna C. Holten, daughter of
Levi G. and Sonnev (Christopher) Holten, formerly of Utica, Wiscon-
sin, but now of Stoughton, and they have five children, — Henry.
Sophia, Levi, Bessie and Gustav.

Hon. Joseph R. Henderson was born in Menstrie, Clackmannan-
shire, Scotland, August 14, 1848, and was the son of Andrew and
Margaret Robinson, both natives of Perthshire, Scotland. The father
was a farmer by vocation and -acted as foreman on one farm for
twenty-one years. In 1854, when Joseph was six years of age, the
family came to America. They came first to Canada and landed at
Quebec, reaching the LTnited States via the St. Lawrence river and the
Great Lakes. They reached Madison by rail and Mrs. Henderson
and the children remained at the depot while Mr. Henderson walked
to Verona and procured a team for the transportation of his family
and their goods toi the town of Springdale. He located on section
twenty-five but afterward moved to section fourteen where he spent
the remainder of his life. He was a man who would take no part in
politics and refused to accept office, but was a generous contributor
to the Presbyterian church of Verona. He died January 19, 1900.
aged eighty-four years, three months and nineteen days. His wife
died December 29, 1859 at tne age- of forty-nine years. They had a
family of six children: William, of St. Mary's, Minn.; Rachel, married
James McKeand, of Hamilton county, Nebraska; Katharine, died,
aged sixteen; Joseph R., the subject of this sketch and Andrew his
twin brother, a farmer of Wells, Minnesota; Bessie, of Wells, Minne-
sota; Elizabeth, married John Farley, of Owatonna, Minnesota. Mr.
Henderson received his education in the public schools of the town-
ship, at Professor George's academy, of Madison, and in the high
school of Wilton, Minnesota. He remained with his father until he
was twenty years of age when he went to- Minnesota and remained
four years, working most of the time on a farm; he then returned to
his father and remained with him until his death. He is now one of
the large farmers of that locality, owning four hundred acres of land
in sections 10, 11, 13, and 14. He was married September 28, 1876,
to Miss Margaret Nimmo, of Springdale, the daughter of Henry and
Margaret (Blake) Nimmo, pioneers who settled on section thirty-six
26— iii

402 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

in 1854, and there their daughter was born. They came to Wiscon-
sin from New York state, but were both natives of Scotland, and they
still living, having their home in Verona. Air. Nimmo served 'in the
Civil War, belonging to Company E, Eighteenth Regiment, Wiscon-
sin Yolunteen Infantry. To Mr. and Mrs. Henderson have been
born five boys and three girls: Maggie, married Andrew E. Patten, of
Springdale, died aged twenty-seven; Andrew, resides at home; Joseph,
with Gisholt Machine Co., Madison; Mary, married Charles Himsel,
of Verona; Gracie, died, aged thirteen; Clarence, Lester and Forrest,
all attending school. Mr. Henderson served as clerk of the district
school board for twenty-one years, and until he refused to longer ac-
cept the position; he was a member of the board of supervisors for
seven years, chairman of the town board for four years, assessor for
five years and was representative of the third assembly district in the
legislature of 1891-92. His district was so gerrymandered at the time
that it was forty-two miles long and only six miles wide and was
known as "the shoe-string district." Mr. Henderson is a member of
the M. W. A. and belongs to the Presbyterian church of Verona. He
is a clever writer and has written a good deal of verse, his longest
production of this kind being called "Uncle Joe's Advice to His
Father, or Abraham Lincoln." Another entitled "On the Road to
Riley" received much local commendation.

Knud Henderson (Lonne) of Cambridge is one of the best known
of the Norwegian pioneers of Dane county. Like most Norwegians
he has always been a music-lover and he early engaged in the pro-
fession of teach ng music. Many valuable collections of Norwegian
music have also been published by him. With his parents, Halgor
and Margaret (Glunnie) (Lonne). he came from Voss, Norway, in
1849. Eight ch ldren accompanied their parents to* America, of whom
Knud was the oldest. After the long and ted'ous voyage and the
journey to Milwaukee were safely accomplished, the father
hired a wag. n to transport the household goods while the family
walked beside it. After two weeks of travel their destination was
reached and the family settled upon a farm of. two hundred eighty
acres in the town of Chr'stiania. The labor of reclaiming the land
from the wilderness occupied them all and a small frame house was
built which still marks the spot they first called home in America.
But three children of Halgor Lonne are now living: Knud; Claus,
a farmer in Winnebago county, Iowa, and Susan, wife of G. Robey
of Chicago Byngen and Margat Lonne, brother and sister of Hal-
gor, came to America in 1844 and lived in Chicago. Knud Hender-
son was born in Voss, November 16, 1835, attended school in Dane

BIOGRAPHICAL. 403

county and in Chicago. He learned carriage painting and decorating
and lived in Chicago for a number of years. In 1857 he purchased the
old homestead and in 1869 returned to make it his home after a long
visit to the .scenes of his childhood in Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
His first musical publication was a "Karol Bog" or book of carols in
1865 and it wab followed by a collection of songs in Norwegian in
1876 called "National Selskabs" and "Music Laeri'' in 1870. A set
of valuable musical charts was copyrighted by Mr. Henderson in
1 881. In 1 87 1 his establishment in Chicago was burned and over
2000 copies •A musical publications destroyed by, the fire. This was
not Mt. Henderson's only severe loss by fire for he lost his home in
1885 and another year his entire crop of ten stacks of grain. July 4,
1869, he married Miss Martha Glunnie of Voss, Norway, daughter of
Knud and Bretha Glunnie, who lived on a farm in Voss. Six children
blessed the marriage. Margaret is the wife of H. L. Wilson, a law-
yer in Chicago ; "Bertina was graduated from the University of Wis-
consin in 1896 and is employed as a high school teacher; Amanda at-
tended the Milwaukee college and resides with her parents ; Henry,
a graduate of the Cambridge high school, is farming the old home-
stead in Chr stiania; Lettie is a graduate of the Chicago Musical col-
lege and teaches music in Chicago; Leonora was graduated with the
class of 1906 from the University of Wisconsin. The family is
prominent in the Liberty Lutheran church of Deerfield and Mr.
Henderson is an active worker for the cause of temperance. He
is a Republican but not an office-seeker. Mr. Henderson is sec-
retary of the Society of Norwegian Pioneers, also of the Prairie
Queen Telephone Co. and the Wisconsin Tobacco Grower's As-
sociation and treasurer of the National Norwegian Association.
He also writes for various papers, the Chicago Scandinavian, the
American Cultivator, of Boston, and a Norwegian newspaper. Mr.
Henderson is fond of traveling and knows his adopted country well
besieles having traveled in England and other parts of Europe.

Leander J. Henika, a farmer and thrasher living in the town of
Madison, three miles from the city, was born November 16, 1832 in
Canandaigua, Ontario county, N. Y. His parents were Frederick
Henika, born April 8, 1806, in Ontario county, N. Y. ; and Lucy F.
Pratt, born September 9, 1810. Frederick Henika was of German
descent, and his wife of good English stock. Their marriage occurred
December 17, 1829, and to this union were born, — Julia Ann, Decem-
ber 22, 1830, lives in Madison; Leander J., the subject of this sketch;
George Hayner, January 31, 1835, now retired and living in AVash-
ington, D. C; Charles Burgoin, April 30, 1837, an undertaker in

404 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Petoskey, Michigan; Franklin, died February 24, 1901; Minnie Pratt,
born September 20, 1842, died September 23 of the year following;
Elisha P., June 21, 1845, lives in Milwaukee; Holmes Lucas (M. D.),
born March 15, 1848, died April 19, 1876; and Morris Edward, born
June 2$, 1850, a traveling salesman who makes his home in Milwau-
kee. Leander J. Henika received a limited education in the public
schools of his native state. In the spring of 1855 he came to Dane
county with his parents. He started life for himself when he was
twenty-four years of age. His first labor was the breaking of land
with five yoke of oxen in the town of Oregon, where later he pur-
chased eighty acres of land. After a few years he sold out and bought
property three miles south of the city of Madison, where he continued
his residence for several years and then purchased the home where
he now resides. Like his father Mr. Henika is a Republican. His
religious affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal church of Madi-
son. On January 5, 1859, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth,
daughter of Michael and Margaret (Mahoney) Collins, natives of
Ireland. Mr. Collins settled in Canada after first coming to America;
from there he went to Ontario county, N. Y., where he worked at
his trade of weaver for a few years and then drifted to Oregon in
this county. He and his wife \ver° members of the Catholic church.
Mrs. Henika was the youngest of six children, — all of them deceased
except herself, — John, Catherine, Sylvester, Emily and Mary. Mrs.
Henika was born in Genesee county, N. Y., August 1, 1840. Only
one child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Henika, a son, Frederick R., who
first saw the light of day on November 16, 1859. He has been twice
married, the first time to Jessie Ganoe; his second wife was Alice Page,
by whom he has had three children, only one of whom, Robert, is
living. Frederick R. Henika is in the teaming business in Madi-
son. Leander J. Henika is probably best known as a thresher.
For over forty years he has not missed a harvest season.

E. J. Henry, general merchant and postmaster at Basco, Dane
county, is a native of France, born January 2, 1876. His parents,
Joseph and Josephine (Maley) Henry were both born in France,
reared there, and came to this country when their oldest child, the
subject of this sketch, was an infant. Mr. Joseph Henry was a
soldier in France and served all through the Franco-Prussia war.
On coming to Wisconsin the family settled in Montrose township,
Dane county, where they still reside or a farm of ninety acres.
They have two sons, E. J. and Fred ; the latter is engaged in farm-
ing with his father. Mr. Henry was brought up in the town of
Montrose, and received his education in the public schools ; he as-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 405

sisted in the work of his father's farm until he was sixteen years
of age, when he began working for himself as a cooper, in Basco,
which business he followed for six years. He then entered the
employ of the Elgin Creamery Packing Co., of Elgin, 111., for a
short time, and after that worked at the carpenter trade in various
parts of Green and Dane counties for four years. In February,
1903, he opened a general store in Basco, where he has since con-
ducted a successful mercantile business, carrying a good line of
merchandise, and also buying and shipping farm produce. He was
appointed postmaster shortly after coming to Basco. He was
married June 2. 1903, to Miss Josephine Faivre, daughter of
Charles Faivre, of Montrose township. They have two children,
Francis Emile and Vincent Joseph. Mr. Henry is a member of
the M. W. A. and the Beavers, of Stoughton. He is at present
town treasurer, this being his third term.

William Arnon Henry, dean of the college of agriculture, and
director of the agricultural experiment station, in the University of
Wisconsin, was born at Norwalk, Huron county, Ohio, June 16, 1850.
His early education was obtained at home and at a private academy;
he then attended Wesleyan University, Delaware, for a year and a
hr.lf ; was principal of the high school at New Haven, Ind., 1871-72;
and of the high school at Boulder, Col., 1873-76. In 1876 he entered
Goinnell University and was graduated in 1880 with the degree of
Agr. B. While pursuing his university work, he assisted C. V. Riley
of the United States entomological commission, Washington, in 1879,
and also served as assistant instructor in botany at Cornell in 1880.
Quoting from his article, "The Agricultural College," in "Madison,
Past and Present," he writes, "On the first day of September, 1880. I
reached Madison to take up my work at the University. I had been
chosen by President Bascom to relieve Professor Daniells of the care
of the university farm, and Doctor Birge of the work of instruction
in botany ; then I was to spend my winter in visiting the farmers and
holding farmer's meetings. To give some idea of the scope of my
efforts, as indicated by the title . I was given, I was made professor of
botany and agriculture. That was a pretty broad title for one person

to wear The first home of the department of agriculture was the

janitor's room, formerly occupied by 'Patrick' in Main Hall. In 1883.
after much hesitation, we were granted two rooms on the third floor
of the old South Domitory. It had taken three years for the agri-
cultural department to find a place where it could put a desk and
chair." The college of agriculture is now in possession of over
$300,000 worth of buildings devoted exclusively to research and in-

406 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

struction in agriculture, and the number of students in the agricul-
tural department, including those in the dairy course, and the long and
short agricultural courses, is in excess of the total attendance at the
University when Professor Henry first took charge. Much of this
extraordinary growth is due to the enthusiasm and zealous efforts of
Professor Henry. Quoting again from the above mentioned article
of Professor Henry, he says: '"When I came to Madison twenty-two
years ago, the agricultural department received about one letter per
week on the average. Now our correspondence amounts to thousands
of letters annually, farmers writing to us on every conceivable topic.
The department, grown into a college and experiment station, has be-
come a bureau of information. Not only do we get letters from' far-
mers, but from business men of all classes who are interested in some
line of agriculture." Since coming to the University Professor
Henry's instructional work has graduallv narrowed in scope, until now
he teaches only the subjects of feeds and feeding. His time is neces-
sarily given, almost exclusively, to the executive work of the college
of agriculture and the experiment station. For many years he has
given numerous lectures before the farmers' institutes on feeding and
care of live stock. He has published, by direction of the legislature,
a "Report on Amber Cane and the Ensilage of Fodders" (Madison,
1881-82, 2 vols.) ; ''A Hand-book for the Home Seeker" (Madison,
1895); "Feeds and Feeding;" and "The Feeding of Cattle." Six-
teen annual reports and more than one hundred bulletins have been
issued by the Wisconsin state agricultural experiment station since
he has been its director. He is a staff correspondent of the "Breeders
Gazette," Chicago, and the "Country Gentleman," Albany, N. Y., and
a frequent contributor to other agricultural journals. In 1891 he was
president of the Wisconsin State Dairymen's Association. Fie married
Clara Roxana Taylor, in August, 1881, and has one child. He is still
in the prime of a vigorous manhood, and has many years of useful-
ness before him. He is the recognized authority in the country on
feeds and feeding.

Elling Hermanson, a successful farmer of the town of Dunkirk,
is a native of southern Norway, son 'of Herman Herhanson (Lunde)
and Christiana (Mellheim) Hermanson. His parents spent their
entire lives in Norway and Elling. He was born August 3, 1858, was
educated in Norway and remained at his father's home until he reached
the age of twenty years. In 1878 he embarked for the United
States and continued his journey as far west as Stoughton, wlrere
he entered the employment of the Mandt Wagon Co. and worked
in the mechanical, carpentering and warehouse departments for six

BIOGRAPHICAL. 407

veal's. In 1884 he bought eighty acres of farm land in section 36;
town of Dunkirk, improved the property in every way and made it
his home until 1904, when he moved to the adjoining farm of one
hundred and sixty acres which he had purchased in 1902. His
farm property of two hundred and forty acres is in a fine state of
cultivation and supplied with modern equipment and comfortable
buildings and Mr. Hermanson carries on an extensive business.
The first wife of Mr. Hermanson was Miss Annie Severson, daugh-
ter of Louis Severson, a veteran of the Civil War. Three children
were born to them, of whom but one, Louis IT., survives. After
the death of Mrs. Hermanson, Mr. Hermanson married, March 8.
1888, Miss Martha Peterson, daughter of Peter and Ingeborg Peter-
son of Richland county, Wis., and six children blessed the mar-
riage: Herman, Palma, Emily, Etta, Elmer and Ella. The family
is associated with the First Norwegian Lutheran church of
Stougfhton. Mr. Hermanson is a member of the Farmers' Equitable
Association. For two years he has served on the board of super-
visors and is affiliated with the Republican party. Mr. Herman-
son has been a member of the Emerald Creamery Association since
its organization in 1893. It is one of the most successful cream-
eries in the county, which has been in operation every day since
it started.

Parke C. Herrick, of Oregon, was born in Rutland township, May
25, 1866, and is the son of J. T. Herrick, one of the sturdy lumber-
men which Maine sent out in such numbers to subdue the great
forests of the northwest, fifty years ago. Mr. Herrick was a native
of Bangor, and until he was thirty years of age worked in the
pineries of his native state; he came to Wisconsin about 1850, but
abandoned his old occupation and settled down as a farmer in the
town of Rutland, Dane county, taking up eighty acres of govern-
ment land and turning it from a forest wilderness into a cultivated
farm. Parke Herrick's mother, Mary E. (Morgan) Herrick, was
a native of Ireland ; she and her husband have both passed away.
Parke Herrick received his education principally at the district
schools of Rutland. He was reared as a farmer and has always
followed that occupation, except one year, when he worked at the
carpenter trade; he settled in Oregon, December, 1894. renting
eighty acres of the J. D. Burk estate, and has occupied the place
ever since, running it for general farming purposes and the raising
of cattle, hogs and sheep. He is a member of the Baptist church
and a Republican in politics. He was united in marriage. Septem-

408 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

ber 25, 1889, to Miss Clara W. Cook, daughter of John S. and Sarah
(Fowler) Cook, of Zion City, 111. ; they have no children.

Charles W. Heyl, cigar and tobacco dealer of Madison, and sec-
retary and treasurer of the Union Ice company, was born in Phila-
delphia, Pa., May 14, 1857. His parents, Charles W., Sr., and Mar-
garet (Beck) Heyl, natives of Germany. Charles W. Heyl, Sr., was
a tinsmith and hardware merchant in Philadelphia and continued in
the same business after coming to Madison, when the subject of
this sketch was but one month old. For two terms he served as city
treasurer and at different times served in the common council. He
died at the age of sixty-three. Charles W. Heyl was one of five
children, of whom two, Louis and John, are dead; the others are Jo-
seph, connected with the Hampton Hardware Company of Marys-
ville, California; and Matilda living in Fremont, Nebraska. The edu-
cation which Mr. Heyl received was in the public schools of Madison.
After a few years spent in clerking he learned the tinners' trade, after
which he took charge of the -Northwestern Hotel. He maintained a
high class hostelry there for twenty years and then went into the busi-
ness which now furnishes him a livelihood. He is a Democrat in
politics, and has served in the lower house of the legislature as the
representative from the Madison district. While Hons. R. M. Bash-
ford, W. H. Rogers and John Corscot were mayors of Madison Mr.
Heyl was a member of the common council, and Hon. Jabe Alford
made him chief of the city police, which position he held one year.
He has also been a member of the board of education. On June 9,
1881, he married Augusta, daughter of John and Elizabeth Reiner,
of Madison. Mr. Reiner is dead but his widow is still resident of
Madison. Mr. and Mrs. Heyl have two children living, — Edmund
Charles, a clerk in his father's store, and Lewis W., attending the
public schools. Mrs. Heyl is a member of the Presbyterian church.
Her husband is a member of all the Masonic bodies, has been dele-
gate to the grand commandry several years, and for five years was
eminent commander of the commandry. He is also> a member of the
Knights of Pythias.

John M. Hibbard, editor and publisher of the Sfoughton Courier,
and former postmaster of the city, is one of the best known and
most popular citizens of Stoughton. where he has maintained his
home for more than forty years. Mr. Hibbard is a representative
of one of the sterling pioneer families of Wisconsin, of which
commonwealth he is a native, having been born at Lafayette,
Walworth county. January 19, 1849, and being a son of Richard M.
Hibbard, who came to the state in 1843, having been in Milwaukee

BIOGRAPHICAL. 409

when that present beautiful city was represented by but two or
three houses. The parents continued residents of Wisconsin until
their death. The subject of this review was afforded the advan-
tages of the common schools and was graduated from the Stough-
ton high school at the age of sixteen years. In September, 1969,
he was appointed assistant postmaster, under A. C. Croft, of
Stoughton, serving in this capacity five and one-half years. He
was then appointed postmaster, by Hon. Marshall Jewell, who was
then postmaster general, and he held the office during the adminis-
trations of Presidents Grant, Hayes, Garfield. Arthur, Cleveland
and Harrison, a total of eighteen years. This record of service is
exceptional and indicates the confidence and esteem in which the
incumbent is held in the community of which he has so long been
a resident. In 1893 Mr. Hibbard was elected city treasurer, being
re-elected in 1894 and thus serving two terms. He later served
four years as deputy sheriff of the county, under Sheriffs Michael-
son and Moulton. In 1894 he purchased the plant and business of
the Stoughton Courier, of which he has since continued editor and
publisher. The Courier is a weekly paper, is an effective ex-
ponent of local interests, supports the cause of the Republican
party, and is ably edited and cleanly issued. Mr. Hibbard is af-
filiated with the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows and other social organizations. November 16, 1870;
he was united in marriage to Miss Jennie E. Warren, who was
born in the state of New York, and they have five children, namely:
Fleta B., who is the wife of W .C. Hegelmeyer, secretary of the
Stoughton Wagon Company ; Waldo W., who is wire chief for
the Bell Telephone Company at Greeley, Colorado; Loretta D.,
who is an expert stenographer; Walter E., who is in the employ
of the Wisconsin Telephone Company ; and Leona Hazel, who re-
mains at the parental home. Mr. Hibbard is the proud possessor
of a photograph of five generations, in which he himself is repre-
sented, and he appreciates the distinction implied in the exceptional
condition thus indicated.

Jacob R. Hiestand, deceased, was a pioneer of Dane county and
one of the leading and highly respected citizens of Blooming Grove
township, where he lived in his fine homestead for half a century.
Mr. Hiestand was a native of the Buckeye state, having been born
on a farm nine miles from Dayton, Ohio, on February 7, 1821. His
parents were John and Barbara (Cochran) Hiestand, both natives of
Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in which state the family had re-
sided for many years. Mr. Hiestand was but a boy when his parents

410 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio. He was reared on the farm and
secured a good common school education. While a boy he returned
to Lancaster county on a visit in company with an uncle, making the
journey over the Allegheny mountains on horseback. He remained
on this visit to his Pennsylvania relatives for a year or more, and dur-
ing that period attended school. Mr. Hiestand after reaching man's es-
tate, engaged in the dry goods business in Dayon, ()., in partnership
with his cousin, William Dixon. While thus engaged his health failed,
and acting on the advice of his physician, he closed out his mercantile
interests and went to live on his father's farm. After one year on the
farm he decided to visit the west, and in the spring of 1850, he and his
friend David Carrol, left Dayton for Madison, Wis., in a two horse
buggy and made the entire journey in that manner, and theirs was one
of the first, if not the first, covered buggy ever seen in Madison. Here
Mr. Hiestand became acquainted with the then Governor Farwell, and
was by him shown many courtesies. So well pleased was Mr. Hies
tand with the country that he decided to make Dane county his per-
manent home; but on the advice of Governor Farwell, he did not at
that time purchase any land. He returned to Ohio, settled up his af-
fairs, and in the fall of 1851, he started on the return trip to Madison
with his wife and two children. The return journey was made from
Dayton to Maumee, Ohio, by canal, thence to Chicago by rail, and
thence by lake boat to Milwaukee, thence to Watertown by rail, and
completing the way to Madison by team. Soon after arriving the sec-
ond time in Madison, Mr. Hiestand lost no time in purchasing a farm,
which was the eighty acres in Blooming Grove township four and a
half miles from the capitol building, where he afterwards made his
home, and where his widow resides at the present time. This home-
stead he improved and brought to a high state of cultivation. The
buildings he erected are of the best, the residence being one of the
most comfortable farm houses in the county, with beautiful surround-
ings. Mr. Hiestand carried on p-eneral farming successfully. An
historical fact is that he and Mr. Pomeroy grew the first tobacco in
Wisconsin that was ever marketed. This, however, was not grown
on his homestead but on the Yeager farm. Politically, Mr Hiestand
was a Republican, and as such held various town offices for many
years. While a resident of Dayton he was a member of the first Pres-
byterian church, but never transferred his membership to the Madi-
son church because of his inability to attened. He was a member of
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Dayton, Ohio. His death
occurred January 23, 1901. On September 2, 1847, ne married Mary
A., daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Stutsman, living in Dayton. Six

BIOGRAPHICAL. 411

children were born to them, — Elizabeth, born January 21, 1850, now
Mrs. William Gay, of Blooming- Grove township; John Edwin, born
November 24, 1852, living with his mother on the old homestead;
Eannie Jane, born February 6, 1855, now Mrs. J. R. Morton of Chi-
cago; Harry Cochran, born August 1, 1857, died April 22, 1900, his
widow and three children now live on the son's farm adjoining the
homestead; William Dixon, born July 8, 1861, became court reporter
in the circuit court in Minneapolis in 1887; in the fall of 1888 be-
came private secretary to President Chamberlain of the University of
Wisconsin, and the following year was made registrar of the Univer-
sity which position he has since retained. He married Frances M.,
the daughter of William and Eliza (Shaffer) Richards, of Platteville,
Wis., and they have one son. Clara Mary, born July 11, 1863, is now
Mrs. Milford A. Pelton of Madison, and the mother of three children.
Charles Hildreth is one of the well known and popular citizens
of Dane county, being the owner of the fine estate known as Indian
Garden, on the western shore of Lake Waubesa. a few miles dis-
tant from Madison. He has been significantly successful as a busi-
ness man and has been the artificer of his own fortunes, showing
that power of mastering expedients which ever conserves personal
advancement along legitimate lines of enterprise. Mr. Hildreth is
a native of the Empire state of the Union and a scion of a family
founded in America in the colonial epoch. He was born in W^ater-
town, Jefferson county, New York, in 1851, and is a son of Lamp-
son and Sarah (Tuttle) Hildreth, both of whom were likewise born
in that county. The maternal grandfather and two of his brothers
were soldiers in the War of 181 2. When Mr. Hildreth was a child
of about three years his parents removed from New York state to
Wisconsin and settled at the point now known as Clinton Junc-
tion, in Rock county, where they remained about three years, at
the expiration of which they removed to what is now the village of
Rutland, in the township of the same name, in Dane county.
While residents of Rock county their nearest trading point was
Milwaukee, and the trip had to be made with team and wagon. In
Rutland township the father engaged in farming, reclaiming much
of the land utilized, and here Charles was reared under sturdy
discipline, early becoming inured to the arduous labors of the
pioneer farm. Incidentally it may be stated that on the home farm
he aided in raising what was undoubtedly the first crop of tobacco
ever propagated in Wisconsin, a state whose product in this line
is now of great commercal importance. In the local schools ot
Rutland township Mr. Hildreth secured his fundamental educa-

412 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

tional training, while he continued to assist in the work of the home
farm for a number of years, his parents continuing residents of
Dane county until the close of their lives. From the beginning
Mr. Hildreth has had to make his own opportunities, and ambition
and self-reliance have been dominating characterics of the youth
and the man. At the age of fourteeen years he had saved enough
from his small earnings to enable him to enter Albion academy,
where he remained as a student for one term. In the following
year he was enrolled as a student in the University of Wisconsin,
where he completed his education. At the time there were only
three buildings on the grounds of what is now one of the greatest
universities of the country, and he had a sleeping room in the old
building which was then used as the library. Mr. Hildreth's first
business venture of an important nature was to secure control of
one of the best hotels in the city of Rochester. New York, and he
owned and successfully conducted the same for a number of years.
After disposing of the same he engaged in the laundry business in
Utica, New York. He later closed out this business and returned
to Wisconsin , purchasing the Indian Garden farm, his present place
of residence. He gave his attention to the management of this
farm until about 1880 when he leased the property to his tenants
and returned to Rutland township, where he had previously pur-
chased another valuable tract of land, upon which he took up his
residence, leasing the major portion of the land to desirable tenants.
On this place he continued to make his home for a score of years,
at the expiration of which period he sold the property for a con-
sideration of twelve thousand dollars and returned to his Indian
Garden farm, in May, 1905. He here intends to make his per-
manent residence and to develop the entire tract of one hundred
and twenty-nine acres into a beautiful park. — making the same a
pleasure resort for the citizens of Madison. The enterprise is a
commendable one and the natural attractions of the place render it
possible to develop a most beautiful summer resort. Mr. Hil-
dreth is a stanch supporter of the Republican party and its cause
and has always taken an active interest in public affairs, but has
never sought or held office. He and his wife are members of the
Seventh-day Adventist church. In association with one of his
brothers he erected the Adventist church in Stoughton, and he
has been a liberal supporter of the work of the church, locally and
at large. He is the owner of fourteen city lots in South Madison,
besides other property in the capital city, and he has extensive
creamery interests in Dane county and other points in southern

BIOGRAPHICAL. 413

Wisconsin. He is a man of genial nature and has a host of loyal
friends, while his generosity and kindliness are ever manifest in
his intercourse with his fellow men. He has accumulated a com-
petency, and he and his devoted wife are now living a life of
gracious retirement, in the full enjoyment of the rewards of years
of earnest endeavor. April 22, 1881, he was united in marriage to
Miss Emma Wise, daughter of Solomon and Amanda (Unax) Wise,
of Davis, Stephenson county, Illinois, no children having been born
of the union.

Frederick G. Hill is one of the leading contractors and builders
of the city of Stoughton and is one of the popular citizens and busi-
ness men of the thriving second city of the county. He was born in
Stoughton, October 10, 1858, and is a son of Joseph A. and Jane E.
(Buckman) Hill. His father was born in England, whence he came
to the United States abouf 1855, soon afterward taking up his resi-
dence in Stoughton, where he followed the painter's trade for several
years. At the time of the Civil War he tendered his services in de-
fense of the Union, enlisting in Company A, Twenty-third Wisconsin
Volunteer Infantry, in which he was promoted corporal. He died
while in the service, having contracted disease which terminated fa-
tally. His wife was born in ISt. Lawrence county, New York, being
a daughter of Reuben Buckman, formerly of Ogdenburg, that state,
and one of the worthy pioneers of Dane county. He reclaimed a
good farm in Dunkirk township, where he resided until his death.
Joseph A. and Jane E. Hill became the parents of two children, of
whom the subject of this sketch is the elder; his sister, Emma G., is
now the wife of James M. Gancy, of Stoughton. Mr. Hill was af-
forded the advantages of the public schools of Stoughton, where he
was reared to manhood. Here he served a thorough apprenticeship
at the carpenter's trade, becoming a skilled artisan in the same. For
eight years he followed his trade as a journeyman, and in 1887 he
engaged in business for himself, as a contractor and builder. He
has gained an excellent reputation for high-grade and reliable work
and has been very successful in his operations. He did the carpenter
work for the Hyland building, the Scheldrup drug store, the Haus-
man building, and the Methodist and Baptist churches in Stoughton,
where also many of the handsome residences of "the city stand in evi-
dence of his skill. He also erected a number of the best cottages on
Lake Kegonsa. Mr. Hill is a staunch advocate of the cause of the
prohibition party, fraternally is identified with the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows, and both he and his wife hold membership in the
Methodist Episcopal church, in whose work they take an active in-

414 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

terest. October 19, 1883, Mr. Hill was united in marriage to Miss
Cora L. Lombard, daughter of Ford Lombard of Pulaski, New
York. They have no children.

Ole O. Hill is a pioneer resident of Perry township, where he
came with his father in 1848 and has been engaged in farming ever
since he finished attending school. Ole Boken and Anna (Bergum)
Boken, his parents, were natives of Norway, married there and came
to America with their little family when Ole O. was but five years old.
Mr. Boken served in the Norwegian army for several years but in
America turned his attention at once to farming. He purchased forty
acres in the town of Perry, cleared and improved it and from time to
time, added to i<: until he owned two hundred acres of improved land,
well equipped with comfortable buildings. Mr. Boken died in 1878
and his wife in 1896. Ole O. is their oldest son and there are three
other members of the family living; Therman O. resides in Trem-
peleau county, Wis. ; Mary is Mrs. Slotten of Trempeleau county ;
Astrea is Mrs. Helgeson. Ole O. was born in Valdras, Norway,
September 23, 1843, attended the Dahleville district school and as-
sisted his parents on their farm until he was twenty-five years old.
At this time he purchased eighty acres of unimproved property and
began to work upon it, adding to it from time to time. He now
owns a fine farm of two hundred forty acres all of which he has
improved and equipped by his own unaided efforts and upon which
he carries on an extensive general farming business. In March,
1868, Mr. Hill married Miss Astrea Jelly, born in the town of Blue
Mounds, February 26, 1851, daughter of Ole and Maria (Severude)
Jelly. Six children blessed the marriage ; Anna, Maria, Lena,
(Mrs. Edward Goli of Dahleville), Alma, Otto C. and Elmer. Mrs.
Hill has one younger sister Anna, who resides in Dahleville and
two younger brothers, Knudt, who lives in Blue Mounds and Ole,
who farms the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Hill have lived in
Dane county since the early days and have materially aided in the
progress of the community. They are members of the Norwegian
Lutheran church. Mr. Hill is affiliated with the Republican party
but has never devoted much time to practical politics.

Joseph W. Hobbins, president and cashier of the Capital City
bank of Madison, was born in Birmingham, England, on July 23,
1848. He is a son of William and Fannie Hobbins, both natives
of England. On December 10, 1875, he was united in marriage to
Miss Mary N. Mears, daughter of James R. and Lois C. Mears of
Madson. To this union have been born eight children,, as fol-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 413

lows: William J.. Lois F., Joseph N., Harry M., Mary K.,
James R., Fannie and Grace.

Martin Hobbs, one of the old settlers of Dane, was born in Ire-
land, November n, 1837. His parents, Michael and Katharine (Fein-
erty) Hobbs, natives of Ireland, were farmers in their native land
where they lived and died. They had a family of two sons and six
daughters, all of whom are living. One son and three daughters re-
mained in Ireland; the other son, the subject of this sketch, and two
daughters are living in this country. All of them received their edu-
cation in their native land, and Martin was twenty-five years of age
when he left his home to seek his fortune in a ne wcountry. He came to
Washington county, Wis., when he first arrived in the United States,
lived there for a few months and then moved to Waukesha county
where he remained four years. Later, about 1866, he came to Dane
and settled in Oregon township; after a stay of two years he went
to the town of Primrose, which was his home for thirty years. His
last move was to return to Oregon, in which town he owns an im-
proved farm of two hundred acres. Mr. Hobbs has taken his share
of responsibilities in public affairs having served as chairman of the
town board and as school treasurer, and as supervisors of Primrose
for seven years. His party politics are Democratic, and his church
connections are with the Catholic church of Oregon. Miss Mary
Cullen. daughter of Daniel and Ann Cullen of Fitchburg, became
his wife February 27. 1867. They were also natives of Ireland,
Mrs. Hobbs coming to the United States with her parents when she
was two years old; Mr. and Mrs. Cullen settled in Dane, town of
Fitchburg, in 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Hobbs have nine children, all
born in Dane county and all living. — Michael, of Oregon village;
Daniel of Oregon township ; Margaret, at home ; Catherine, a steno-
grapher, Mary a book-keeper. Bezie, with Electric Company of
Madison as stenographer and book-keeper; Agnes, Thomas and
Ambrose, at home on the farm. All were educated in the schools
of Primrose township and of the village of Oregon.

William Hoberland, one of the successful German farmers of the
town of Middleton, was born in Hanover, Luneburg, Germany, De-
cember 22, 1847. His parents. George and Elizabeth (Flucher)
Hoberland, were natives of Hanover, where the father was a
laborer. In 1871, after the family was grown up, George Hober-
land and his wife came to America and located in Middleton.
They were devout members of the Lutheran church. William
Hoberland, the subject of this sketch, was the second of four chil-
dren, the others being Dora, widow of John Sander of Madison ;

416 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

John, a farmer in Verona, and Henry, a carpenter in Middleton.
The parents died in Middleton not many years ago. William re-
ceived his education at the common schools of Hanover and at the
age of fourteen went to work on a farm. For six years he remained
in that wrork, and then came to- the United States. Houston
county, Minn., was the scene of his labors for the first two years
of his life in this country, after which he drifted to Middleton,
where he farmed on a rented farm for four years. At the end of
that time an opportunity was offered to buy one hundred and
twenty-four acres of partly improved land at the head of Lake
Mendota, and Mr. Hoberland took it. He lived there for thirteen
years and then sold it to buy the farm where he now lives, a part of
section 28, town of Middleton. When the place first came into
Mr. Hoberland's hands it was entirely unimproved. In 1898 he
built the house and in 1903 the barn was erected. Though an
active Republican the only office he has ever held was as a mem-
ber of the school board for two years. He is a believer in the
Lutheran faith, and worships with the congregation of that de-
nomination at Middleton. On October 6, 1875, he married Mary,
daughter of James and Charlotte (Windt) Koepcke. Mr. and
Mrs. Koepcke came to America from Mecklenburg, Germany, in
1853, living at different times in the towns of Madison, Pheasant
Branch, Springfield and in Middleton, where Mrs. Koepcke has con-
tinued to reside since her husband's death a few years ago. To
William and Mary Hoberland have been borne two sons, Augustave
and John, both living at home. Both sons received all the educa-
tional advantages that the schools of the vicinity offered. William
Hoberland is distinctively a self-made man. He started life with
no other capital than ambition and energy and today Is one of the
most prosperous farmers in the community.

John Hoepker is an old resident of Dane county and one of its
well-known farmers. He came from Germany in 1847 with his par-
ents, Mink and Catherine Hoepker, and lived upon a farm in the town
of Madison. Mink Hoepker died the same year of his arrival in Dane
county and his son John cared for the widowed mother, who lived
until 1882. John is the only living child of Mr. and Mrs. Mink Hoeo-
ker and was born November 12, 1830, in Germany, where he attended
echool until the age of seventeen when he came to the United States
with his parents. After a few years on the farm in Madison township
he went to Blooming Grove and in 1867, purchased a farm of two
hundred and forty acres in the town of Burke, which is his present
home. All of the improvements upon the property have been made

BIOGRAPHICAL. 417

by Mr. Hoepker and he has been obliged to rebuild both house and
barn after their destruction by fire. He raises a good deal of stock,
particularly Poland China hogs and short-horned cattle and carried on
for years an extensive farming business, which is now managed by
his two youngest sons, Walter and Frank. December 13, 1856, Mr.
Hoepker married Miss Angeline Scheible, who was born in Witten-
burg, Germany, in 1840, daughter of George and Christian Scheible,
who were natives of Germany and came to Madison, in 1853 and after-
ward lived in Burke. Ten children were born to* Mr. and Mrs. Hoep-
ker; Margaret, the oldest, is the wife of Yernard Vahlen; Mary is
Mrs. George Wolf; Christina is Mrs. William Hessing; Henry and
Alfred are farmers ; George, Emma and Charles are deceased ; Walter
and Frank manage the home farm for their father. The family be-
long to the Lutheran church. Mr. Hoepker is a Democrat in his
political affiliations.

Peter Eric Hoveland, who died on his fine homestead farm, in
section 32 Cottage Grove township, December 2, 1904, was a sterling
type of that sturdy element which has contributed so materially to the
development and material prosperity of Dane county and the state of
Wisconsin at large. He and his estimable wife came to America
without financial means and worked together, frugal, industrious and
economical, until they had gained a position of independence and pros-
perity. He was born in Norway, November 3, 1839. and was a son of
Eric Oleson and Gro (Nelson) Hoveland, both of whom passed their
entire lives in Norway. He was reared to maturity in his native land,
where he received a common school education and where he was iden-
tified with agricultural pursuits up to the time of his immigration to
America. He was married in 1867 and shortly afterward set forth
with his young wife to establish a home in the United States. They
came at once to Wisconsin and located on the farm which is now the
home of Mrs. Hoveland. About a year after their arrival, however,
they left this homestead and went to what is now the state of South
Dakota, where Mr. Hoveland continued to be engaged in farming for
the ensuing fourteen years, becoming the owner of a valuable property
in that section. At the expiration of the interval noted he disposed
of his Dakota farm and returned to the original homestead in Cottage
Grove in township, Dane county, Wisconsin, where he passed the re-
mainder of his life. The homestead comprises forty acres of fine
land and is maintained under a high state of cultivation, while the
permanent improvements are of subbstantial order. Mr. Hoveland
commanded the high regard of all who knew him. He was a Repub-
27— iii

418 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

lican in politics, and was a member of the Norwegian Lutheran
church, as is also his widow, who still resides on the home farm,
which is now operated by his only son. On Christmas day of the
year 1867 Mr. Hoveland was united in marriage to Miss Martha
Johnson Offerdahl, who was born in Norway, September 25, 1843, a
daughter of John Christopherson ' and Ellen (Offenson) Offerdahl,
who remained resident of Norway until their death. Mr. and Mrs.
Hoveland became the parents of nine children, whose names,
with respective dates of birth, are as follows: Lena, March 4, 1869;
Julia, July 7, 1872; Eric Guotave, October 24, 1875; Rachel, July 14,
1876; Julia, July 12, 1877; Lena, October 12,1879; Olans, September
6, 1880; Caroline, June 17, 1882; and Nellie, October 28, 1885. Of
the children only three are living: Eric G., who has charge of the
home farm ; Julia, who is a trained nurse and employed in the Madison
sanitarium; and Caroline, who is the wife of Otto Niemann, of the
firm of Fischer & Niemann, dealers in wood, coal, etc., in the city of
Madison.

John Hoeveler is now living in comfortable retirement in the city
of Madison after long years of activity in mercantile affairs, in which
he met with a reasonable degree of success and also maintained the
high regard of his associates and competitors. He was born at Col-
ogne, Germany, on April 28, 1835, his parents Vainer and Agnes
Hoeveler — having been life-long residents of the same country.
Our subject received his education in the excellent schools of the
Fatherland. When he was but twelve years of age his mother died,
and six years later he started for an independent career in the land of
more favorable opportunities. He landed in New York and remained
in that city about eight months, then continued his journey westward
to Wisconsin. In Janesville he secured employment in a furniture
store and continued so engaged for four years, at the end of which
time he came to Madison and started in business as a partner in the
firm of Daubner & Christofferson. He was a member of this firm
for thirty-three years and three months, Mr. Christofferson dying
seven years prior to the dissolution of the partnership. Our subject
then sold the establishment to his son, who still continues the busi-
ness on Main Street. During the years from 1863 to 1865 he con-
ducted a grocery store at Pheasant Branch, but at the same time re-
taining his relations with the furniture esablishment. Mr. Hoeveler
made all of the desks now used in the Assembly chamber in the state
capitol. In 1885 he made an extended visit to the Fatherland. When
he first came to Madison, in 1858, he purchased the lot where his
residence now stands in the city and paid for the same $150. Some

BIOGRAPHICAL. 419

idea will be given of the increase in the value of real estate in Madi-
son when the fact is stated that the same lot is now valued at $150 per
fiont foot. During the years of our subject's prosperity in business
he bought a lot and built a home thereon for his wife's parents in
Richland Center, Wis. He was married in April, 1857, to Miss
Agnes Kirch, who was also a native of Germany, born in February,
1835, daughter of Peter Kirch and wife. To this union fourteen chil-
dren were born, the names and other facts concerning whom are
given as follows: Mary Elizabeth married Jacob Kehrein and resides
in Milwaukee; John P. married Anna Weyman and resides in the city
of Madison; Chanes is deceased; Theodore married Julia Stoeviken
and resides in Madison; Barbara married Professor Kehl and re-
sides in Madison; Wilhelmina married Jacob Buellesbach and
resides in Madison; Christina resides with her father; Martha marri< d
Leo Sachs and resides in Madison; Anna Frances married Frank
Kemp and resides in Beloit, Wis. ; Agnes is deceased ; Frances resides
with her father; Theresa married Edward A. Iverson and resides in
Chicago; Catherine married Edward Argost and resides in Illinois;
and two children died in infancy. The mother died May 17, 1905.
Mr. Hoeveler gives an unswerving alleg'ance to the tenets of the
Democratic party, and his religious faith is expressed by membership
in the Roman Catholic church. He has been a member in good stand-
ing of the St. Michael's Society for the past forty years.

Theodore Hoeveler, who conducts the furniture and upholstery
establishment at 115 West Main street, and an undertaking estab-
lishment at 137 West Johnson street, which concern is the oldest
of the kind in Madison, was born in Dane county, May 16, 1865.
His parents were John and Agnes (Kirch) Hoeveler, both natives
of Cologne, German Prussia. He received his preparatory edu-
cation in the Madison schools and at the age of fourteen years went
to work for his father in the furniture business as a finisher. After
two years his father took him to Milwaukee to learn the trade of
upholsterer. Two years more of his life were spent in the Cream
City, and his apprenticeship was completed in Chicago, where he
was employed by the Pullman Palace Car Company for a portion
of a year. He then returned to Madison and entered the North-
western business college, graduating in 1884. Upon the comple-
tion of his commercial course he worked as an upholsterer in St
Paul, Minneapolis. St. Louis and New York, and in 1885 established
an upholstery store on Wabash avenue in Chicago which he con-
ducted for six years. Mr. Hoeveler then returned to Madison and
opened a store on Carroll street and in 1901 bought out his father's

420 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

business. The firm name was "H. Christophers & Company" and
"later "Hoeveler & Barckhan" but since 1903 Mr. Hoeveler has been
conducting the business alone. He has an excellent stock of goods,
filling all four stories of the commodious building on West Main
street which he owns. The undertaking department is situated in
the new brick building on Johnson street which he has leased. He
has been granted a license as an undertaker and embalmer by the
state board of health and his business in that line is constantly in-
creasing. On June 2, 1891, he was united in marriage in Milwau-
kee to Miss Julia Stoeveken, a resident of that city although a na-
tive of Minnesota. Her parents are Anton and Louise (Munch-
rath) Stoeveken. To Mr. and Mrs. Hoeveler have been born two
children — Louise and Theodore Anthony. The family are com-
municants of the Holy Redeemer Catholic church. Mr. Hoeveler
is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Modern Woodmen
of America and St. Michael's Benevolent Society. Of sound busi-
ness sense and genial manner a brilliant future is predicted for him
by all with whom he comes in contact.

August Hoffman, deceased, for many years a farmer in the town
of Primrose, was born in Switzerland en Christmas day, 1830. With
his wife, also a native of Switzerland, he came to the United States
in the fall of 1881 and settled on a farm in the town of Primrose.
The place comprised some eighty acres of ground, wholly unimproved
when he purchased it, which he cleared and improved. It was on
this farm that Mrs. Hoffmari died two years after her arrival in this
country, and her husband was still active in its management when he
succumbed in 1902. The place then reverted to a son, Henry Hoff-
man and a daughter, Elizabeth Hoffman. Henry was born in Switz-
erland, January 14, 1859, and preceded his family to this country some
four years. Since the father's death Henry and his sister Elizabeth have
made the old homestead their residence and have earned a livelihood
from it. Politically Henry is independent, casting his vote as his con-
science and judgment dictate. His religious affiliations are with the
Reformed church. He has turned his special attention in farming to
dairying and is making a great success of it. The only other child of
August Hoffman, Mary, makes her home in New Glarus, Wis.

William Hoffman, proprietor of the grain and flour mill at Mid-
dleton, is a native of Germany. His parents, Godfried and Chris-
tina Hoffman were born in Bavaria and there spent their lives
farming. Two of their sons, Theobald, who is a farmer in Arkan-
sas, and William came to America; the other three children, Mary,
Frederick and Jacob, remained in Bavaria. William, who was the

BIOGRAPHICAL. 421

third child, was born at Hexiheim, November I, 1847, educated in
the common schools and lived with his parents until he had attained
the age of seventeen years, when he determined to go to America.
For two years and a half he worked in a brewery at Manetta, Lan-
caster county, Pa., and then journeyed to Madison, Wis., where he
worked one year. For .the next three years Mr. Hoffman found em-
ployment at the Pheasant Branch brewery and then located at
Middleton, where he opened a hotel, which he managed suc-
cessfully for seventeen years. In 1889, he built a grain and
flour mill which was destroyed by the fire in 1900. The same year
it was rebuilt and in it Mr. Hoffman carries on a general custom
business, shipping to Madison, Pheasant Branch, Pine Bluff,
Springfield and other villages in the vicinity. Mr. Hoffman is a
Democrat but has never aspired to office, his time completely occu-
pied by his business. In October. 1868, he was married to Miss
Catherine Hoffman, daughter of William and Lena Hoffman of
Bavaria, Germany. Their family consists of five children, all of
whom have attended the Middleton schools. The oldest daughter,
Lena, is the wife of Henry Niebold of Middleton. William, the
second child, is a butcher of Middleton, and Emma, John and Al-
bert still live at the parental home. The family are supporters of
the German Lutheran church as were their ancestors in Germany.
Mr. Hoffman is a member of the Middleton branch of the I. O. O. F.
James Hogan, of Waunakee, was born at Freshford, Killkenny
County, Ireland, September, 1883. His ancestors, on both sides of the
family, were natives and residents of Ireland, and there they all died.
His paternal grandfather was Columbus Hogan, who married a Miss
Butler; his maternal grandfather was Timothy Hickey who married a
Miss Dunn. His parents, Michael and Annastatia (Hickey) Hogan,
wero both natives of Freshford, Ireland ; they had a family of seven
children, of whom all that remain are Mrs. Kennedy, widow of Martin
Kennedy, and James, the subject of this sketch. Mr. Hogan was a
young man when he came to the United Status (1857), but he supple-
mented the instruction which he had received in his native country by
attendance at the Northwestern Business college, sharing the instruc-
tion of Prof. Tullev with two distinguished citizens of Madison, Dr.
Jackson and Col. Vilas. Mr. Hogan's first stop was in New York,
but the same year came on to Madison, and first found employment on
a farm ; then he turned his attention to the educational line and taught
school for several years, and assisted in garden work. D. J. Powers,
of Madison, when he was secretary of the agricultural society. He is
musical in his tastes and during his residence in Madison belonged to

422 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

the Madison band. In 1864 Mr. Hogan bought the farm known as
the Louis Montandon farm, of one hundred and sixty acres. His
sons, Dominic and Joseph, who are now operating the farm in partner-
ship with their father, have added another hundred and sixty acres to
the original homestead, and now work it under the firm name of Jas.
Hogan & Sons, breeders of Poland China swine, Cottswold sheep and
short-horn cattle. Mr. Hogan is a supporter of the Democratic party
and has filled the office of clerk of the township for thirteen years ; he
has also served as justice of the peace, and was chairman of the board
of Westport for two years ; he and his family are members of St.
Mary's Church of the Lake, (Catholic). On November 26, 1864 he
was married to Miss Hannah O'Malley, born in Ireland, 1836,
daughter of Michael O'Malley and Mary (O'Neal) Malley, who is
mentioned in this work; their children are, Mary, born October 4,
1866; Michael, born January 16, 1868, a farmer of West Bend; James
C, born August 6, 1869, a Catholic priest of Oshkosh ; Joseph, born
July 30, 1878, and Dominic P., born November 8, 1872, partners of
their father in the home farm; Annastatia, born October 19, 1876,
John M., born July 21, 1878, a physician of Rhinelander, Oneida
county.

Captain William Hogbin is one of the well known residents of
the city of Madison. He carries on the business of repairing, dye-
ing and tailoring for the university battalion, at Madison, and in
addition to this occupation is a practical carpenter, mechanic and
harnessmaker. The present business was established about thirty
year ago and is now located at No. 414 West Gilman street. Mr.
Hogbin spent seven years on the tailors' bench in London, and
there learned the details of his business, and for the past thirty-five
years has carried it on with the greatest success winning the high
regard of, not only his customers, but also of the people of the city
generally. Our subject was born in Dover. England, September 24,
1834, coming of good old Anglo-Saxon stock, and is the son of
Robert and Elizabeth (Monday) Hogbin, natives of Kent, Dover
county, England, where they lived near neighbors to the parents of
the great temperance lecturer, Gough. Robert Hogbin grew up in
his native county and passed many years on the English race-
course as a successful jockey, and was one of the most daring riders
of either England or Wales in his day. Many times he was the
driver selected by the Duke of Wellington, and was a driver for the
late Queen Victoria in her youthful days, as his skill with a horse
was widely known. Later in life Ihe became a reserve soldier
under Wellington, serving some time, but later, in 1853, with his

BIOGRAPHICAL. 423

wife and family, removed to America. They left London on the
sailing vessel, the "Prince Albert," landing in New York city in
June, going from there to Utica, N. Y. After the children had
grown, the parents came as far west as Dubuque, Iowa, where they
both died, the father at the age of eighty-nine and the mother at
the age of eighty-one years. The father was born in 1792, the
mother in 1791, and for many years they had been worthy members
of the Methodist church. Captain Hogbin is the youngest of a
family of eleven children, of whom two are yet living. He was a
young man when his parents came to this country, and had learned
his trade with his brother George in "West London, serving an ap-
prenticeship of nearly seven years, and after coming to the United
States he followed his trade one year in LTtica and then engaged as
a clerk in a market store for a term of two years, during which time
he was married. This important alliance was with Mrs. Catherine
Knott, nee Tiffany, the widow of Joseph M. Knott, a native of Eng-
land and a harness-maker who died in the prime of life at Utica,
N. Y.. leaving his widow with three children. Walter S. and Al-
bert W. Knott are both deceased. The former served in the Civil
War in Company D, Ninth Illinois volunteer cavalry, came home,
married and died about fifteen years ago. The daughter of Mrs.
Knott was Mary, now the widow of Stedman B. Farrier, of Michi-
gan. She now lives in Chicago, with her two daughters and one
son. Mr. Farrier served through the Civil War with Company D,
Fifth Michigan volunteer infantry, and entered the service as a
student from the University of Wisconsin. Captain Hogbin en-
listed from Chicago, 111., in 1862, in Company E, Eighty-eighth Illi-
nois volunteer infantry, as a tailor, being, however, soon put upon
detached duty as regimental tailor, in what was well known as the
the Second Board of Trade Regiment of Chicago. He took part in
the battles of Perryville and Stone's River and was in many other
engagements, remaining in the service nearly three years, and be-
ing mustered out July 5, 1865, at Indianapolis, Ind. A full record of
the military career of our valiant subject can be found in the
"Soldiers' and Citizens' Album of the State of Wisconsin." Since
the war he has been a devoted citizen of the Union, a lover of th;
old flag for which he fought, and he is a prominent member of the
Lucius Fairchild post. No. 11, of Madison, in which he held the
office of chaplain three and one half years, and has also been offi-
cer of the day for three years, commander of post one year and is
now trustee of the post, inspector general, assistant surgeon, and
also past commander. He served as aide dc camp on the staff of Gen-

424 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

eral Shaws, who was commander-in-chief. In his political
opinions our subject is one of the strongest of Republicans. Mr.
Hogbin has been member of Good Templars for years and has
been in all the chairs in this organization and also in the Sons of
Temperance. He was also organizer of five Sunday school classes
in Dubuque, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Hogbin attend the Congrega-
tional church, are honest, upright people, and have many warm
friends in the capital city. Their only daughter, Elizabeth Jane, is
the wife of Edwin M. Dorn, a retired liveryman of Chicago.

Rev. Peter Holfeltz, the popular pastor of St. Norbert's Catholic
church, in Roxbury township, is a native of Germany, having been
born at Remerschen, Luxemburg, September 8, 1856. His parents
were John and Susan (Kieffer) Holfeltz, both of whom were born in
Germany, the former on June 9, 181 8, and the latter in 1820. The
mother of Father Holfeltz died when the latter was but ten years old,
and his father migrated to America, in 1875, and died in Manitowoc
county, Wis., in 1893. Five children were born to John Holfeltz and
wife, and four of them are living, as follows : Matthias resides with
his brother, the Rev. Peter Holfeltz, in Dane county ; John resides on
the home farm in Manitowoc county ; Susan is a resident of Marinette,
Wis., and Peter is he to whom this review is especially dedicated.
Father Holfeltz received his preliminary education in the excellent
common schools of his native land, and after coming to America
entered the Mt. Calvary school in Fond du Lac, county, Wis., in
winch he took a classical course, and was graduated from the St.
Francis seminary, in philosophy and theology, with the class of 1887.
After thus completing his education he occupied the position of as-
sistant in St. Michael's church at Milwaukee for a time, and then be-
came pastor at Caledonia of the St. Louis congregation. He filled the
latter position for nine years, was then stationed at Saukville, Wis.,
for two years, at Alvemo, Wis., for four years, and was forced to
leave the last-named charge on account of illness. In 1902 he came
io Roxbury as pastor of St. Norbert's Catholic church, and under his
direction, during the past four years the church has prospered exceed-
ingly. Among the material improvements should be mentioned the
house in which Father Holfeltz resides, and which was built under
his direction and he is now remodeling the church at an expense of
$18,000.

Nels Holman, editor of the News, at Deerfield, Wis., was born
in that town May 3, 1861. His parents, Sjur and Ragnhild (Aase)
Holman, were both natives of Norway, the former born at Valestrand,
February 19, 1819, and the latter at Sogn, August 19, 1832. The

Rev. Peter IIolfeltz.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 425

father came to America in 1849, worked for awhile at Smith's tavern,
near Sim Prairie and then went to work on the old Dane county
court-house. About this time the mother arrived in this country,
they were married and bought a farm near Deerfield, where they
lived until they retired from the active labors of life and took up their
residence in the village of Deerfield, where they still live, having cel-
ebrated their golden wedding on July 5, 1905. Of their children eight
are now living and three are deceased. Martha is the wife of Edward
Sterricker, of Omaha, Neb. ; Andrew is located at Copper Center,
Alaska; Nels is the subject of this sketch; Louis lives at Okonagan
mission, Britisn Columbia ; Gerina and Ella live at home with the
parents ; John is at Yankton, S. D. ; and Edward is at Pine River,
Minn. Four of Mrs. Holman 's brothers and sisters are living. Fred
lives at Groton. S. D. ; Emelia is single and lives in Minneapolis,
Minn.; Marie, also single, lives in Chicago; and Olga is Mrs. A. R.
Mather, of Groton, S. D. Nicolina, now deceased, was the wife of
T. G. Reed, of Minneapolis, Minn. Nels Holman was educated at the
Marshall academy and the Red Wing seminary, after which he at-
tended the law department of the University of Wisconsin. For a
time he was engaged in mercantile pursuits at Lakota, N. D., and was
for about seventeen years in the lumber business at Deerfield. from
1885 to 1902. He served as president of the Wisconsin Retail Lum-
ber Dealers' Association for two years. In 1895 he became the pub-
lisher of the Deerfield Enterprise, which he published until the fol-
lowing year. Since 1899 he has been the publisher and proprietor
of the Deerfield News, one of the live and influential journals of the
county. In politics Mr. Holman is a firm believer in the principles
of the Republican party. From 1888 to 1890, inclusive, he was town
clerk; was then chairman of the town board for one year ; from 1891
to 1905 was a member of the Dane county board of supervisors, and
was one year chairman of the board. He served for five years on
the Deerfield school Iboard, and also served in 1893 as a member of
the Wisconsin legislature. In all these positions of trust and re-
sponsibility he has acquitted himself in such a way as to merit the
esteem and confidence of his constituents. He is a member of the
Lutheran church and is a consistent practitioner of the precepts of
his faith. One of his brothers enlisted in the South Dakota in-
fantry as a private in the Civil War, and for gallant conduct in
crossing a burning bridge in the face of a heavy fire, was made a
second lieutenant. In fraternal circles Nels Flolman is well known
and deservedly popular. He belongs to Perry Lodge, No. 269. Free
and Accepted Masons, to No. 1413 of the Woodmen, and is a mem-

426 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

ber of the Order of Beavers. On May 17, 1886, he was united in
marriage to Miss Jennie Oleson, who was born September 14, 1862,
and is a daughter of Soren and Inger Oleson, of Brown county,
S. D. To this marriage have been born three children: Earle Staf-
ford, December 31, 1888 ; Evalyn Constance, January 13, 1890, and
Luther Leslie, January 7, 1898.

Joseph W. Holmes is another of the native sons of Dane county
who has here found ample scope for successful accomplishment in
connection with the great basic industry of agriculture, and he is
the owner of a most productive and well improved farm, in section
2, Cottage Grove township. He was born on the old homestead farm
of his father, in the township mentioned, the date of his nativity
standing recorded as March 2, 1850. He is a son of Jacob and Jennett
(Black) Holmes, the former of whom was born in the dominion of
Canada, and the latter near the city of Belfast, Ireland. They were
numbered among the sterling pioneers of Dane county, having
taken up their residence in Cottage Grove township in 1844, when
this section was scarcely more than an unreclaimed forest. Here the
father purchased eighty acres of government land, entirely unim-
proved, and he continued to reside on the same about two years, at
the expiration of which he disposed of the property and purchased
another farm, in the southern part of the same township. He re-
claimed a considerable portion of that place and there continued to
reside about twelve years, when he sold the farm and bought that
which now constitutes the homestead of his son Joseph W.. sub-
ject of this review. On this place the parents continued to reside
until their dealth. Of their eight children only four are living, name-
ly: Margaret, who is the wife of Albert H. Higday, now resident of
the state of Iowa; Joseph W., whose name initiates this sketch;
Jacob G., who is a resident of the city of Madison and Robert H.,
who resides in Pittsville, Wood county. Wis. Joseph W. Holmes
is indebted to the district schools of his native township for his
early educational training, and he continued to remain with his par-
ents until their death, except for a period of three years passed in
the state of Iowa. He started his independent business career
when seventeen years of age, associating himself with his brother-
in-law in the purchase of a threshing machine, which they success-
fully operated in partnership for a period of three years. Mr.
Holmes soon afterward took up his residence in the state of Iowa,
where he resided three years, engaged in farming and also in the
operation of a threshing outfit. He then returned to Cottage
Grove township and purchased of his father his present homestead

BIOGRAPHICAL. 427

farm, upon which he has made numerous improvements, while he
is known as one of the energetic and substantial farmers of the
county and as a citizen loyal and public-spirited in his attitude.
Mr. Holmes is a stanch advocate of the principles of the Demo-
cratic party, and he has served one term as a member of the board
of supervisors of his township. On July 4, 1875, Mr. Holmes was
united in marriage to Miss Carolina Parker, who was born in the
state of Illinois, April 22, 1857, being one of the seven children of
Samuel and Mary (Rinehart) Parker, who passed the closing years
of their lives in Plymouth county. Iowa. Mrs. Holmes is the eldest
of the five living children, the others being: Margaret Ann, wife
of Orrin Sager, of Plymouth county, Iowa; Joseph R., a resident
of Cherokee county, that state; Stella V., wife of Perry Sager, of
Plymouth county, Iowa; and Keturah, the wife of Frederick Kar-
ken of Sioux City, that state. Mr. and Mrs Holmes haVe two
children, — Margaret Jane, born April 2, 1876; and Irwin Everett,
born June 5, 1891.

John J. Holmstad, of Stoughton, received through training in the
work of the carperter trade, and is now numbered among the suc-
cessful contractors and builders of Dane county. Like many other
representative citizens Dane county he is a native of the fair Norse-
land, having been born in Norway, August 2, 1857, and being a son
of Jens and Mary (Johanson) Peterson. On attaining to maturity
the subject of this sketch adopted the family name, the nomenclature
of Norway providing, as is well known, a peculiar system in the
applying of surnames from the Christian names of the fathers. Mr.
Holmstad was reared and educated in his native land, and for a num-
ber of years was there associated in work with his father, who was a
timberman. In 1879, at the age of twenty-two years, he immigrated
to America and took up his residence in Stoughton. He began his
apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade under the direction of Jens
England, of Cambridge, this county, but his principle work in this
preliminary way was done with A. E. Ovren, of Stoughton. He
continued work as a journeyman until 1888, when he showed his
self-reliance and courage by engaging in business for himself, as a
contractor and builder. His success has been most gratifying and
he has built up a very profitable business, giving employment to
fifteen men and making a specialty of the erection of fine residences.
Many of the handsomest homes in Stoughton stand as evidences of
his skill and reliability. Mr. Holmstad is a loyal citizen and com-
mands unqualified esteem in the community. He is a Prohibitionist
in his political affiliation, and is now serving his third year as alder-

428 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

man from the third ward of Stoughton. He and his wife hold mem-
bership in the Norwegian Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is
a trustee. March 20, 1886, Mr. Holmstad was married to Miss
Katrina Pederson, formerly of Christiania, Norway, and they have
three sons, — Parker, Miner and Norval. Parker is now bookkeeper
for Brittingham & Hixon, a large lumbering concern of Sparta, Wis-
consin.

John H. Holtan, manager of the Stoughton branch of the Ameri-
can Cigar Company, is a native of Pleasant Springs, Dane county,
Wis., sons of Hans and Randie (Lunde) Holtan. Anfin Holtan was
the first representative of the family in Wisconsin and located in
Pleasant Springs in 1846, where he purchased a farm of two hun-
dred acres. He has twice married and had eight children, two by
the first marriage, Ragnel and Hans, and six by the second mar-
riage, Ole; Breta, the wife of Gunder Halverson ; Anna (deceased),
the wife of Ole Aase ; Anna, Mrs. Anton Linn ; Gunder ; Gertrude,
Mrs. John B. Haven. Hans, father of John H. owned a farm of one
hundred acres in Pleasant Springs where he carried on a general
farming business until 1890, when he retired from active work but
continued to reside on the farm until 1906 when he removed to
Stoughton. Mrs. Hans Holtan died January 23, 1906. Nine children
were born to them ; Anfin, Austin, John H., Gertrude, the wife of
Louis Severson, George, Ole. Andrew, Josie, the wife of Albert
Asleson and Richard. John H. attended the district school in
Pleasant Springs and later the Albion Academy and worked upon
the farm until he reached the age of twenty-one years when he went
to Stoughton and was employed as a clerk until 1891, when he
engaged in the tobacco business with his brother Austin. This
business was carried on by the brothers until 1900, when John H.,
accepted the position of manager for the American Cigar Company,
which he still holds. The company employs in Stoughton. during
the packing season, fully two hundred and fifty people and owns
large storage and packing buildings. June 4, 1891, Mr. Holtan was
married to Miss Hattie Bell Severson, daughter of Sever H. and
Gurena (IverbergJ Severson of Stoughton. Three children blessed
the marriage ; Gurena Ruth, Sigurd Harold and Clarice Joan. The
family is identified with the Norwegian Lutheran church of
Stoughton. Mr. Holtan is a member of the Republican party and
takes an active interest in politics. He has served as a member of
the county board of supervisors for six years and as alderman for
the first ward of Stoughton two years.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 429

Levi G. Holton is a retired farmer of Stoughton, where he has
lived since June, 1904, and owns a handsome home. He was born in
CTiristiania, Norway, September 19, 1830, son of Gullick and Anna
(Levi) Holton, who embarked for the United States in 1846 and
came west as far as Dane county, Wis., where they obtained a farm
of eighty acres in the town of Albion. Another tract of forty acres
was soon added and this was the home of Air. Holton and his family
from that time. Three children were born to Gullick and Anna
Holton; Halvor (deceased), Levi G. and Betsey (deceased), the wife
of John Kittleson of Iowa. Levi G. was sixteen years of age when he
came to America and received his early education in Norway. He
has always been a farmer, worked out for a few years and made his
home with his parents, assisting them with the work of improving
their new property, until his marriage July 23, 1853. Mrs. Holton
was before her marriage Miss Susan Julson, daughter of Christopher
and Mary (Olson) Julson of Norway, who came to Chnstianta in
1843. Eight children were born to the marriage, of whom seven are
living. Gullick resides in Grand Forks county, N. D. ; Anna is Mrs.
Ole Hellickson ; Christian owns one of the old farms ; Mary is Mrs.
Christian Olstad ; Betsey is Mrs. Henry Thronson ; Julius is a practis-
ing dentist of Edgerton and is married to Lora Dickenson ; Emma is
Mrs. Gullick Gullickson living on one of the old farms. In 1852 Mr.
Holton purchased eighty acres of land in the town of Christiania and
made all of the improvements upon it. To this he added forty acres
and in 1890 another tract containing eightv acres. The first eighty
acres, the homestead, is still owned by Mr. Holton as is also one other
farm of eighty acres ; the remainder he sold to his son Christian.
Mr. Holton carried on an extensive general farming business but for
twenty years made a specialty of rais'ng tobacco, in which he was
very successful. He is a Democrat and active in local affairs, having
served several times on the town board of Christiania. The family
attends the Norwegian Lutheran church of Stoughton.

Ole S. Holum, was one of the most public-spirited and liberal
business men of De Forest, in whose death the village lost a man who
Avas always ready to work for her advancement in ever}- possible way.
He was born in the township of Windsor, near De Forest, August 21,
1847, son °f Stephen O. and Carrie (Linde) Holum, both natives of
Norway. Stephen Holum came to the United States in 1845, located
at Rock Prairie, Rock county, Wis., but after two years in that
vicinity, came to Windsor and engaged in farming. He owned a
splendid farm of about six hundred acres, which was his home until
his death. He and his wife had four sons and four daughters of

430 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

whom only two daughters are now living. Ole S. attended the home
schools at Windsor and was then sent to Luther college at Decorali,
Iowa. For two years he was a student at the University of Wiscon-
sin and also attended the Lutheran seminary and the Northwestern
Business college at Madison. For a year he read law in the office of
Rufus B. Smith at Madison and on his return to De Forest carried on
a large farming business. A member of the Democratic party, Mr.
Holum was always active in political matters, was elected township
clerk in 1872, held the office for eighteen years and was for one year
chairman of the town and one year supervisor. In 1876, he was
elected register of deeds and reelected in 1880, holding office for four
years. Nominated for insurance commissioner in 1890 he suffered
defeat and was also nominated for the assembly on the Democratic
ticket. In 1891, he was appointed to a post in the office of the state
adjutant-general, which he held for two years. Mr. Holum did a
great deal for the educational advancement of De Forest, donated the
site for the high school building and was clerk of the high school until
his death. In 1893, Mr. Holum opened a general store in De Forest
and in 1896 established the Park Hotel and livery. When the village
of De Forest was incorporated he was elected clerk and reelected in
1904. September 4, 1884, he married Miss Harriet Lettitia Trevoy,
who was born in Madison, Wis. June 14, 1855, daughter of William
A. J. and Ruth (Starks) Trevoy, who were early residents of Dane
county. Mr. Trevoy was born in Boston in 1815, was a highly edu-
cated and cultured man and a well-known teacher. Mrs. Trevoy was
born in Otsego county, N. Y. in 181 5, daughter of Jonathan and Try-
phosa (Greeman) Starks. Mrs. Starks was one of the first residents
of Madison, Wis. and her daughter, Mrs. Trevoy, built the block where
the Sherlock House now stands. Mrs. Trevoy spent the last years of
her life with her daughter, Mrs. Holum, in De Forest, where she died
in 1 891. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Holum; Ruth,
who attends the University of Wisconsin, Lois, Ella, Stephen and
Fay. The family are leaders in the first Lutheran church, of which
Mr. Holum was a substitute member of the church council from 1895
until his death.

John N. Holverson, a well-known harness-maker of Rockdale,
a native of Dane county, is of Norwegian parentage. His father, Nels
Holverson, was born and educated in Norway and there married
Ingebar Oney. Mr. Nels Holverson learned the harness maker's
trade in Norway but when he came to Wisconsin in 1849, he ob-
tained a farm at Albion and cleared and improved it. In 1856 the
farm was sold and the family moved to Oakland, where they pur-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 431

chased another farm property. In 1861 Mr. Holverson enlisted as
a private in Company H of the Fifteenth Wisconsin Infantry and
remained in the service for two years. Upon his return he located
in Rockdale where he resided seven years after which he lived at
Busseville until his death in 1890. Mrs. Holverson died in 1895.
Their family numbered seven sons and daughters. Kate, the oldest
daughter, is the widow of Lars Johnson. John N. is the subject of
this sketch. Annie is Mrs. Russell of Liberty, N. D. Peter is a
farmer of Rock "county, Wis. Lena is Mrs. William Henph of
Sumner, Wis. Mary married Mr. Cole of Fort Atkinson, a hard-
ware dealer. Amelia is the wife of Frank Barston a farmer of Al-
bion. John N. was born at Albion, January 3, 1851, attended the
school of the district for a few years and began to work out when
he was ten years old. At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to
B. L. Nelson, a harness maker of Rockdale and remained with him
for seven years. The next three years he spent at Spring Grove,
Minn., and upon his return to Rockdale he opened an establish-
ment for the making and repairing of harnesses, which is his pres-
ent business. In 1891 he purchased a farm of eighty acres known
as the I. C. Yager farm, which is managed by his son-in-law, Olaf
Haren. Mr. Holverson is a Democrat in his political affiliations
but does not desire office. April 28, 1874, he married Miss Serena
Tellefson, daughter of Chester Tellefson and Haga (Asmonson)
Tellefson of Rockdale and sister of Charles and Theo. Tellefson.
Two children blessed the union ; Nora who is the wife of Olat
Haren and lives on her father's farm in section 24, in the town of
Christiania, and Christian, who lives with his parents. The family
are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Samuel Holverson, who has dealt in leaf tobacco at Stoughton
for a number of years, is a native of Dane county. His parents,
Gulbrand and Martha Holverson, were born, educated and married
in Norway and embarked for the United States in 1852. For the
first two years they made their home at Cottage Grove and in 1854
purchased a farm of seventy-six acres in the town of Dunn, sections
11 and 14. This was the permanent home of Mr. and Mrs. Hol-
verson and here their children were born. Twelve children came
t'o them, of whom three died in infancy and of the others Halvor,
Carrie, Christiana, Lena, and John are deceased ; Gulbrand G. is the
oldest living son ; Ida is the widow of John Lillesand ; Anna is the
widow of Peter Daley ; Samuel M,, was born in Dunn township,
June 30, 1867, attended the district schools and in 1885 opened a
grocery store in Stoughton. After three years he sold his business

432 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

and was employed by Johnson and Melaas as manager of the Chi-
cago Fair store. He was later employed by the same firm as sales-
man in a general store and at the same time dealt in leaf tobacco.
Since 1901 he has been a member of the firm of Holverson and Bit-
ter, dealers in leaf tobacco and since 190-1 has also dealt in real es-
tate independently. Mr. Holverson is a member of the Independ-
ent Order of Foresters. He is an independent voter, not allied with
any political party and is active in municipal politics, having repre-
sented the second ward in the city council of Stoughton for two
years and having recently been appointed supervisor to fill a
vacancy and in the spring of 1906 elected for the full term of two
years. January 7, 1891, he married Miss Helen Holtan, daughter
of Halvor and Ingebor (Olson) Holtan, who were natives of Nor-
way and pioneers of the town of Albion. Three children have
blessed the marriage; Inez (deceased), Hiram Silas and Mabel
Hazel. The family is prominent in the Christ Norwegian church
of Stoughton.

John L. Holz owns and manages the farm in the town of Perry
which was the original home of his parents in Wisconsin. He is
the son of Vincent and Mary E. (Bientz) Holz, the former a native
of Baden, Germany, and the latter of Pennsylvania. Vincent Holz
was educated in Germany, served three years in the German army
and came to the United States in 1854. The first year he worked
out and then decided to locate permanently in the town of Perry,
where he purchased a farm of one hundred and forty acres. This
was his home until his death in 1890 and he made many improve-
ments, which were afterward continued by his sons. John L. was
born on the farm in Perry, March 5, 1874, attended the nearest dis-
trict school and also the Madison Business College. When he
reached the age of twenty-one he purchased the interest of his
brothers and sisters in the farm and took charge of it. His mother
remained with him after the death of her husband, Vincent Holz,
and still makes her home on the farm with John L. who has not
married. In 1900 he sold forty acres and changed his residence
upon the property to the other remaining one hundred acres. Mr.
Holz is a progressive and energetic young farmer and has added
much of the value of the property by his careful and wise manage-
ment. He is one of a family of nine children. Caroline, the oldest
daughter, married Edward Post of Madison. Anna married Alois
Haack of Pine Bluff. Wis. Katie married Andrew Wunderl of
Madison. Vincent resides in Washington. Lena married Michael
Angenir of Washington. Joseph lives in the town of Perry. Mar-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 433

garet, deceased, married Sabbas Brunner of Washington. Barbara,
deceased, married William Dorn of Iowa county, Wis. John L. is
the youngest son. Mr. Holz is a member of the German Catholic
church and is a Democrat in his political affiliations.

Frederick Homburg is the owner of a fine farm of eighty acres,
most eligibly located in section 18, Cottage Grove township, and he is
one of the sterling pioneer citizens of Dane county, where he has
gained independence and prosperity through well directed effort in
connection with the great basic industry of agriculture. He is a
native of Germany, where he was born August 10, 1830, being a son
of Henry and Anna Maria (Langer) Homburg, who passed their en-
tire lives in the fatherland. Frederick was reared to manhood in his
native land, being afforded the advantages of the excellent schools and
serving three years in the German army according to laws of the
empire. He immigrated to America in 1865 and made his way to the
state of Wisconsin, becoming one of the pioneers of Dane county,
where he has been continuously engaged in farming, having assisted
in reclaiming much of his land from the forest wilds and now having
one of the valuable places of his township. He accumulated an
estate of one hundred and twenty acres, which he has deeded to his
son, retaining but a small cottage and the land it stands on adjoining
the farm of his son Charles, and here he expects to pass the remain-
der of his days. He is in excellent health and well preserved, but
after bearing the "heat and burden of the day" and gathered in the
goodly harvest of earnest endeavor, he feels entitled to rest from his
labors and is how living practically retired. He is a man of the
highest principle, generous and tolerant in his judgment of others and
ever ready to aid in good works. His political support is given to the
Democratic party, and both he and his wife are zealous members of
the German Lutheran church. Mr. Homburg has been twice married,
his first union having been solemnized in Germany, and two children
representing the offspring of this marriage, — Henry, and Frederick,
Jr. After the death of his first wife Mr. Homburg married Miss
Anna Maria Rot he, who was born in Germany, in December, 1830,
and they have three children: Edward, born February 18. 1866;
Maria Louisa, March 8. 1870, and Charles Henry Frederick, May 19,
1872.

Harmon H. Hoover, a prominent farmer of the town of Dunkirk,

Dane county, is the son of Zenos and Lavina (Graves) Hoover and

grandson of John Hoover, who was born in Virginia, of German

parentage, and resided for some years in Licking county, Ohio. John

28— iii

434 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Hoover was the pioneer of the family in Dane county. He married
Mary Baker, a native of Maryland. Their son, Zenos Hoover, was
born in Virginia, lived for a time in Licking county, Ohio, and mar-
ried Lavina Graves, daughter , of Claudius and Electa (Evert)
Graves, pioneers of Licking county, and was one of the earliest set-
tlers of Waushara county, Wis. In 1856 he moved to the town of
Blooming Grove, Dane county, and resided there until 1869, when
he returned to> Licking county, Ohio. In 1870 the family came again
to Wisconsin and purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty-six
acres in Dunkirk township which has ever since been owned by the
family. Mr. Hoover died in 1891. Two sons survived him; Har-
mon H. and Curtis, who< lives in the town of Rutland. Harmon H.
was born in Hartford, Licking county, Ohio, July 24, 1850, attended
the district schools in Blooming Grove and assisted his father in
farming. This he has always made his occupation and since the family
came to Dunkirk in 1870 he has worked upon the homestead, one
hundred and thirty-five acres of which he now owns. He carries
on a general farming business and raises considerable tobacco.
January 21, 1874, he married Miss Ida Gregory, daughter of New-
ton and Johanna S. (Angel) Gregory of S tough ton and three chil-
dren were born to the marriage; Ellsworth, Leslie and Ninan. Mr.
Hoover is identified with the Republican party but is not an active
politician or office-seeker. He is a member of the F. and A. M.

S. J. Hopkins, postmaster and general merchant of Paoli-, was
born in Center, Rock county, January 8, 1861. His father was James
Hopkins, born March 12, 1827, and who came with his parents, John
and Sarah (Green) Hopk'ns, to Toronto, Canada, in 1834. In 1848
they came to Wisconsin, and settled in Center township, Rock county,
on sections 3 and 10. Mr. and Mrs John Hopkins both died there and
are buried in the Ball Tavern cemetery. Mr. James Hopkins married
Miss Elizabeth Adee, a native of Delaware county, N. Y., and the sub-
ject of this sketch is the youngest of their three children; the others are
one brother, John R. and a sister, Amanda E. who married E. L. Ste-
vens, of Woonsocket, S. D. Mr. James Hopkins made farming the
chief occupation of his life, although he was engaged in the importa-
tion of horses. He rct'red in 1904 and lives in the village of Foot-
ville, Rock county. Mr. S. J. Hopkins spent his boyhood in the man-
ne: usual to the farmer's son, dividing his time between work on the
farm and attendance at the district school, remain 'ng on the home-
stead until 1897, when he came to Paoli and engaged in general mer-
chantile business, carrying a full line of the staple goods, such as is
found in a general store. May I, 1896, he was appointed post-master

BIOGRAPHICAL. 435

of the village of Paoli, and still occupies that position, serving his
second term. Air. Hopkins was twice married; on May 18, 1891, to
Miss Amanda V. Austin, of Cannonsville, Delaware county, N. Y., a
native of Green county, Wis. They had one child, Leah Pearl. On
January 12, 1897, Mr. Hopkins contracted a second marriage with Miss
Anna Minch, daughter of Frank Minch, of Montrose township. They
have one daughter, Viola Elizabeth Barbara. Mr. Hopkins is a mem-
ber oi the Masonic lodge, the Modern Woodmen and the Royal Neigh-
bors.

Henry C. Horstmeyer, the well known and prosperous plumber
and gas-fitter of Madison, was born in Dane county on September 20,
1874. He is a son of C. A. and Minnie (Luckensmeyer) Horstmeyer,
the former a native of Germany, the latter of Dane county. The
father is a retired carpenter, who now makes his home in Madison.
When seventeen years of age the father came to the United States
and located in Madison where he was married. About 1878 the
family removed to Sheffield, Iowa, where for thirteen years the father
worked as both farmer and carpenter. He is now fifty-six years of
age and his wife fifty-three. Both are members of the Evangelical
church. Of their five children, Charles, the eldest, died at the age of
thirteen ; Henry C., the subject of this sketch, is a plumber in Madison ;
William A. is a barber in the capital city; Edward A., a jeweler, makes
his home in St. Louis; Lillie makes her home with her parents.
Henry C. Horstmeyer was educated in the country schools of Iowa.
Upon the completion of his scholastic work he learned the trade of
plumber and has worked at it continuously since. His start was with
Edward C. Mason. It was not until 1903 that he entered the com-
mercial world ''on his own hook." For nearly three years he had a
partner, the firm name being Horstmeyer & Ottow, but recently Mr.
Horstmeyer purchased his partner's interest and since February 14,
1906, has been conducting the business alone. His establishment is
at 123 South Webster street. His yearly increase of business is ample
evidence of the fine quality of the workmanship. On June 7, 1900, he
married Miss Marie Weseloh, a daughter of John Weseloh, a Sauk
county farmer and a Wisconsin pioneer. This union has been
blessed with three children, — Hazel Ethel, Harold Frederick and Ed-
ward William. The family rebgious connections are with the Evan-
gelical association, although Mrs. Horstmeyer is a member of the Luth-
eran church. Mr. Horstmeyer is a member of the Knights of Pvthias
and the Fraternal Aid Society. Gen'al, courteous and strictly honest,
he is a man with whom it is a pleasure to have dealings, commercially
or otherwise.

436 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

William T. Howery, who is engaged in the restaurant, cigar,
tobacco and confectionary busness at Blue Mounds, is a native of
Virginia and was born in Montgomery county, that state, April 18,
1841. He is a son of James and Margaret (Hidenrich) Howery,
both of the parents having also been born in the* "Old Dominion"
and of old Virginia stock. The family came to Wisconsin in 1846,
when the subject of this review was but five years old, making the
journey to the Ohio river by team and then by steamboat to
Galena, 111. The father had been a blacksmith in early life but
later turned his attention to farming, and he brought a team of
horses with him to his new home in the Badger state. A good
portion of this section was at that time occupied by Indians. The
father established a home for his family in what is now the town
of Cross Plains. Dane county, where the mother died on August 18,
1856, and a few years later sold out and removed to Marion county,
Iowa, where he passed away on September 18, 1874. The sub-
ject of this review is one of nine children that were born to these
parents, three of whom are deceased, and the names of those living
are as follows: William T. is the eldest'; Charles resides near Cres-
ton, Neb. ; James is a resident of Barron county, Wis. ; John re-
sides in Dodgeville, Wis. ; Josephine resides in Nebraska, and
Alvin B. in Madison county of the same state. The subject of this
review was educated in the district schools and began his early
manhood by working on the farm. He had not as yet inaugurated
an independent career when the tocsin of war was sounded and
he responded to the call for aid in the defense of the national
government. August 18, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Com-
pany K of the Thirty-third Wisconsin infantry and served with
that command until August 9, 1865, when, peace having been re-
stored, he was mustered out with the regiment. During his term
of service he participated throughout' the entire siege of Vicksburg,
taking position at the extreme left of the investing line on May 25.
and the regiment occupied that position until the surrender of the
city on July 4. On the night of June 4 an attack was made by
Companies C and K. supported by an Iowa company, on the
enemy's rifle pits, and with an impetuous charge they carried the
pits and the enemy fled into his main works. After the surrender,
Mr. Howery took part with his regiment in the second artack on
Jackson, Miss., and in December, 1864, he participated in the battle
of Nashville, Tenn. He was in several lesser engagements and
skirmishes, but was on detached service a good portion of the time,
serving as wagon master. He was at Montgomery, Ala., when the

BIOGRAPHICAL. 437

news came of the surrender of Lee, and after being mustered out
at Vicksburg on August 9, the regiment embarked for home, reach-
ing Madison on August 14, where the men were soon after paid oft
and formally disbanded, the date of the latter event being August
31, 1865. Mr. Howery then returned to the town of Cross Plains
and followed farming there one year, after which he removed to
southern Iowa, where he remained until 1877, engaged for the
greater part of the time in the same occupation. He then returned
to Wisconsin and followed farming at Arena, in Iowa county, one
year, and then to the town of Vermont, in Dane county, where he
farmed for the same length of time. He conducted a blacksmith
shop for another year and then returned to Iowa county, where he
worked four years in Sonsetebo's mill. He then removed to Blue
Mounds, where he followed teaming for three years, after which he
was in the star route mail service from Blue Mounds to Moscow,
five years. His next occupation was farming, which he followed
five years, succeeded by one year in the livery business, and he
then engaged in his present business, which he has followed con-
tinuously since. Mr. Howery was married on April 3, 1862, to
Miss Susan Campbell, of Dane county, and to this union there were
born ten children : Margaret married Conrad Sweeney and lives in
Blue Mounds; Ada married James Howery and resides in' Dane
county ; Lillie married Jerry Monihan and resides in Depew, 111. ;
Laura married Henry Thompson and resides in Beloit, Wis. ;
Josephine married William Scott and lives in Shellsburg, Grant
county; Elmer resides at Depew, 111.; William at Larimore, N. D. ;
Charles at Depew. 111., and Ervin at Blue Mounds, Wis. Mrs.
Howery died on February 18, 1895, and our subject married, for
his second wife, Mary A. Collins. Mr. Howery is a member of
Ren. Dickinson Post No. 191, G. A. R. at Mt. Horeb.

Rev. Helge Hoverstad, pastor of the Perry district of the Nor-
wegian Lutheran church, which includes the Perry, West Blue
Mounds and York churches, was born in Vang, Valdres, Norway,
March 15, 1870. He is a son of Torgeir and Gjertrud (Leine)
Hoverstad, the former born in Valdres, October 4, 1834, and the latter
on December 19, 1843. The family is one of great renown and respect
in the old country, several members of it having performed notable
services in both the church and state. One of the ancestors was an
influential and active member of the constitutional congress of 1814.
while another was a special commissioner to England during the same
critical period of the country's history. His mother is still living on
the farm "Hoverstad" in Norway, where for several generations the

438 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

family has made its home. At the age of eleven years Rev. Mr.
Hoverstad was graduated from the public school, and three years
later from high school taking first honors in his class. Three years
later he entered the Hamar seminary and was graduated with a cer-
tificate as a teacher. After following that vocation for some three
years he came, in 1892, to America. A year later he began to study
theology and in 1896 was graduated from the seminary of the United
Norwegian Lutheran church. For a time he filled a pulpit at Sioux
City, la., and again spent a year in study, taking advanced work at
the Chicago Lutheran seminary. Upon the completion of his scho-
lastic work he received a call to Elliott, 111., where he remained for
seven years as pastor. In 1904 he assumed his present charge. As
a pastor he has proven a great success and is highly popular with the
members of his various congregations. As a pulpit orator it would
be difficult to find his equal. He is a clear, logical thinker whose
sermons have the ring of sincerity and power. During his collegiate
career he "worked his way" and his pertinacity in his efforts to ob-
tain an education has stamped him as a man of character. Rev. Mr.
Hoverstad is a member of the board of directors for foreign missions
of the United Lutheran church.

Charles Henry Hoyt. One of the many fine landed estates which
attract the attention of even the casual visitor within the township of
Blooming Grove is that owned by Mr. Hoyt, who is now living prac-
tically retired on his farm, where he has a beautiful modern residence,
about six miles distant from the capital city of the state-. Mr. Hoyt
was born in the town of Schaghticoke, Rensselaer county, New York,
April 14, 1842, and in the same county were born his parents, Henry
Wiley and Susan (Van Anden) Hoyt, who passed their entire lives
in the old Empire state, the father having been a valiant soldier in the
war of 1 81 2. Mr. Hoyt was afforded the advantages of the excellent
common schools of Rushville, Yates county, New York, and he early
initiated his experience in connection with practical business affairs.
When a mere boy he secured employment in the drug store conducted
by his brother-in-law, at Clyde, Wayne county, New York, remain-
ing thus engaged for a period of four years and acquiring a good
knowledge of the business in the meantime. Thereafter he was for
seven years employed in the drug establishment of A. M. Clark, in
Canandaigua, New York. He then removed to the city of Roches-
ter, where he was employed as a salesman and pharmacist in the drug
establishment of W. P. Crandall for nine years. The close confine-
ment and long hours made serious inroads on his health and he was
constrained to seek other occupation. Accordingly in 1879, ne came

BIOGRAPHICAL. 439

to Dane county, Wisconsin, and located on his present fine farm,
which has ever since been his home and which he made one of the
most prolific and valuable places in the beautiful lake district in which
nestles Wisconsin's capital city. He has two hundred acres of land,
and the same is rented to good tenants, though he still resides on the
homestead and maintains a general supervision of the operation of his
fine estate. Mr. Hoyt is a stanch supporter of the Republican party
and takes a loyal interest in public affairs in his county. On Septem-
ber 25, 1879, he was united in marriage to Miss Marian A. Nichols, a
daughter of George M. and Phyantha (Rowley) Nichols, of Monroe
county, New York. They have no children. Mrs. Hoyt is a member
of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Orville Hubbard, a retired resident of Mazomanie, was born at
Burlington Flats, Otsego county, N. Y., July 22, 1833. He is a
son of Elijah and Phoebe (Fish) Hubbard, the former a native of
Connecticut and the latter of Otsego county, N. Y. They were
married in New York and in 1838 removed to Medina county, Ohio,
where they lived until 1844, when they came to Wisconsin, set-
tling first at Waukesha, but six years later removed to Dane
county. Here the father got one hundred and sixty acres of gov-
ernment land, located in what is now the town of Black Earth,
though at that tme in the town of Mazomanie. After improving
the place and farming on it for fifteen years he rented it out and
removed to Mazomanie, where he died. The mother died in Rich-
land county. He Avas a Republcan in his political affiliations and
both parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Of their seven children five are still living. Orville Hubbard lived
with his parents until he was about twenty years of age, when he
began farming for himself. In August, 1864, he enlisted as a pri-
vate in Company M, First Wisconsin heavy artillery, and served
until July 14, 1865, when he was mustered out and honorably dis-
charged from the service. His regiment was in no engagements
during that period, being assigned to duty with the Twenty-third
army corps and stationed at Washington, D. C, to guard the
national capital. After the war he worked for fifteen years at the
cooper's trade, and was then in Thompson's mill at Mazomanie
for four years. Since then he has lived retired. He has been twice
married. His first wife was Cecelia Huntington, a native of Eng-
land. This marriage was in 1857 and was blessed by four children.
Frank is a farmer near Green Bay, Wis. ; Addie is the wife of
Henry Lathrop ; Clark is the railroad agent at Prairie du Sac ; and
Irvin lives at' Belvidere. In July, 1891, Mr. Hubbard married Mrs.

440 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Hulda Swengen, widow of William Swengen and daughter of
D. W. and Nancy (Cable) Black. Her children are Annie, Elsie,
Cora, Lela and William. Annie and Cora, are in Monroe. Wis.,
Lela is attending an art school in Chicago, and William is at home.

Herman A. Hulsether is a successful real estate dealer and in-
surance agent of Stoughton, where he has lived since 1896. His
father, Ludvig Hulsether, was. a native of Norway and came ' to
Wisconsin about 1860. He married Ingeborg Vee, daughter of
Herman Vee, who came from Norway in 1842 and purchased a farm of
one hundred forty-six acres in the town of Christiana, Dane county.
This property Mr. Vee. cleared and improved ard made it his home un-
til his death in 1899, ninety-four years of age. Two children survived
him; Ingeborg and Lena, the latter is Mrs. S. H. Slinde of Windsor.
About 1862 Mr. Hulsether purchased the old Vee homestead and re-
sided on it until 1906, at which time he retired from business and
moved to Stoughton, where he now lives. Five children were born to
Ludvig and Ingeborg Hulsether ; Ludvig, who is a practicing at-
torney in Seattle, Wash.; Herman A., the subject of this sketch;
Albert, a prominent farmer of Lyman county, S. Dak. ; Lovina (de-
ceased) ; Isabel, who lives with her father, Herman A. was born
in Christiania, Dane county, August 9, 1863, attended the district
school, the Albion Academy and the college at Decorah, Iowa, and
worked on the home farm until 1892, when he engaged in the real
estate business in Christiania. This occupation proved congenial
and in 1896 Mr. Hulsether moved to Stoughton, where he has
since successfully continued his business until it has become quite
extensive, not only in Dane county but also in South Dakota.
June 29, 1900, he married Miss Josie Jensen, daughter of Lars and
Maria Jensen of Stoughton. Mr. and Mrs. Hulsether have one
daughter, Lovina Idella Maria. Mr. Hulsether is a member of the
B. P. O. E. of Stoughton and the Knights of Pythias. He is a
member of. the Democratic party and at the age of twenty-one
years was elected justice of the peace in Christiania, which office
he held for two terms.

Charles A. Hult is a young man of foreign birth whose success
in life since coming to America a score of years ago* is a credit to
himself and also to the land of his adoption. He was born at Orebro,
in Sweden, on April 20, 1865, anc^ *s *ne son °^ Carl A. Carlson and
Christina Carlstrome, also natives of Sweden, where the father served
for two years in the regular arm v. To these parents there were born
six children, three of whom sought a home in the United States, and
a brother and sister of the subject of this review reside in Chicago,

BIOGRAPHICAL. 441

where the brother has a good position as a machinist. Charles A.
Hnlt received his education in the schools of his native land, and at
fifteen years of age began life as a machinist's apprentice, thus laying
the foundation for the success which he has since enjoyed. He pur-
sued the trade assiduously, mastering it in all of its details, and after
he had reached the age of twenty-one years, in 1886, he migrated to
America and came directly to Wisconsin. He first stopped in the city
of Madison, where he secured employment at his trade with the firm
of Fuller & Johnson, manufacturers of farm implements, and he con-
tinued so engaged until 1890. In that year he went to Rockford, 111.,
and worked at the same occupation for two months, but the prospects
not being exactly to his liking he returned to Madison and entered
the employ of the Gisholt Manufacturing Company, remaining in the
employ of that firm for eight months. He then renewed his relations
with the firm of Fuller & Johnson, being given the position of foreman
in the machine shop, in which he continued until 1902, when he began
the work of pattern-making at the same place. In this important
position he has met his expectations and the requirements of his em-
ployers, being now the head designer, and having charge of the con-
struction of all the machines and tools used in the establishment.
When he came to America the English language was unknown to him,
and as regards his financial condition it can be truthfully said that he
was penniless ; but in the short space of twenty years he has overcome
the obstacles that confronted him and is a condition of prosperity. In
i8c>i he bought one full lot in the city of Madison and built the house
in which he now resides, and also erected a house adjoining, which he
afterward sold. He was married on June 12, 1890, to Miss Susie
Syse, who was born in York, Wis., December 23, 1864, daughter of
Knute and Julia (Ellingson) Syse, both of whom were natives of
Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Syse were the parents of six children, two
of whom are deceased. Bertha and Olaus, and the names of the living
ones are: Katie, Julia, Lena, Susie, and Gustave, all residents of
Dane county, with the exception of Lena. Mr. and Mrs. Hult have
four children: Ralph Albert, Cora Amelia, May Victoria, and Clar-
ence Sanford. In politics Mr. Hult affiliates with the Republican
party, and his religious faith is expressed by membership in the Nor-
wegian Lutheran church. He is also a member of the Modern Wood-
men of America, Knights of the Maccabees, the Independent Scan-
dinavian Workmen Association, the Svea Sick Benefit Society, and
the Fuller & Johnson Relief Association.

Peter Hurd, a prominent farmer and exemplary citizen of Dunn
township, is descended from a long line of American ancestry, his

442 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

great-grandfather, Nathan Hurd, and a probable native of England,
having been the first of the family name to locate in America. The
latter located at Fort Ann, Washington county, New York, and reared
a family of children, among whom was Samuel Hurd, the grandfather
of the subject of this review. The immigration of Nathan Hurd to
this country was in a very early day, and after living for a time in
Washington county New York, he removed to Cayuga county of the
same state, and became one of its pioneers, making the journey with
ox teams. He obtained a tract of timber land in the town of Ira, pros-
pered to such an extent that he gave each of his children a farm, and
the old gentleman continued his residence in Cayuga county until
his death. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Cutter, and
who was likewise a native of England, died on the old farm in Ira.
Samuel Hurd, the grandfather of our subject, was but a lad when his
parents removed to Cayuga county, N. Y. His location after reach-
ing manhood was upon the farm given him by his father, living for a
long time upon the products thereof, chiefly, as it was many years be-
for any railroads or canals reached Cayuga county, and markets
were too remote to make an effort to keep one's self supplied with
any of the luxuries now obtainable anywhere. The industrious wife
carded, wove, and made into' garments the homespun clothing worn
by the children. Elizabeth Ward was the maiden name of this good
woman, daughter of Israel Ward, and the mother of six children. She
survived her husband many years, finally dying at the home of her
daughter. Samuel Hurd died in the town of Ira in the year 1832.
Simon B. Hurd, father of the subject of this sketch, was the fourth son
and the fifth child, born to these honored parents, the others being
in the order of their birth: Nathan, Silas, Drusilla, Philetus, and Sa-
rah. Reared and educated in his native county, Simon B. Hurd, in
early manhood, removed to the state of Wisconsin and settled first
in the village of Fulton, Rock county, where he conducted a tavern
for three years. He then disposed of the hostelry and went to Cali-
fornia, where he engaged in mining. After a residence in the
Golden state for about seven years, he removed to Idaho, where he
continued in the mining business until his death in 1866. His ven-
tures in the western region proved to be successful ones, and he left
an estate which was appraised at the sum of $27,000; but the lawful
heirs were defrauded of the entire amount by parties, who, in some un-
known way, obtained control of the property. The wife of Simon B.
Hurd was Nancy Borst, who was also a native of the state of New
York. Peter Hurd, to whom this memoir is specially dedicated, was
born in Cayuga county, N. Y., January 7, 1850, and was but an in-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 44:5

fant when he came with his parents to Wisconsin in 1851. At the age
of five years he went to live with an uncle who at that time lived in
the town of Blooming- Grove, and he received his education in the
district schools of that locality. He made his home with his uncle
during the greater part of the time until he was twenty-nine years of
age, and then purchased one hundred acres of the Hoffman estate in
the town of Pleasant Springs, and remained thereon for nine years.
Then, selling that farm, he bought eighty acres' in the town of Verona,
and after a residence there of six years he again sold his farm and
bought the place in the town of Dunn, upon which he has since re-
sided. He was married February 19, 1879, to Miss Talitha M. Pat-
terson, daughter of Jacob M. and Mary Ann (Stewart) Patterson, old
and respected citizens of the town of Pleasant Springs. Mr. Hurd and
wife are the parents of five children, four of whom are living, their
names in the order of their birth being as follows: Everett (died in
infancy), Elwin I., Mary, Alma T., V'erna Elnore. In politics
Mr. Hurd is a Republican, but he has never allowed the desire for
public office to draw him from! the occupation in which he has met
with such signal success. And despite his many years of strenuous
labor he is well preserved, a man of splendid physique, full of the
buoyancy of youth, of a jovial disposition, and is ever ready to render
assistance to> a worthy cause or a fellow man. A kind and indulgent
husband and father, a generous and hospitable neighbor, he is richly
endowed with the qualities that contribute to the making of the
princely man.

Joseph Hussey, deceased, was one of the well known plumbers of
the city of Madison during a period which covered nearly if not
quite a score of years, and during that time he won the respect and
confidence of all by his uprightness of character. He was born in
Ireland in August, 1844, and was one of seven children born to
John Hussey and wife, the parents also having been natives of the
Emerald Isle. Of the seven children mentioned but three are now
living: Mary married Thomas Cross and Katie married Edward
Cross and both reside in Oak Park, Chicago ; and Maggie married
Tom Leary who also resides in Chicago. Our subject came to
America with his parents . when he was a mere boy, and the family
home being first estabished in Chicago, he received his education
in that city. His father was a shoemaker by trade and the parents
made, their home in Chicago the remainder of their lives. The sub-
ject of this review remained at the parental home until he had
reached the age of twenty-five years, and then went into the plumb-
ing business with his brother in Chicago, with whom he had learned

444 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

the trade. He remained in the plumbing business at Chicago until
1879, in which year he removed to Madison, where he worked for
Regan & Askew a short time and then started in business for him-
self. tHe soon built up a fine and profitable plumbing business in the
capital city and superintended it until his death, this sad event occur-
ring in 1898. During the early years of his residence in the city of
Madison he purchased a lot in the sixth ward and thereon erected
two houses. He later disposed of these and purchased another in
the same ward, in which the family resided for about two years,
after which he sold this and purchased property on Broom street,
where he built two houses and where the family resided about
seven years. One of these houses is still owned by the widow,
the other having been sold, and Mrs. Hussey also owns the beauti-
ful home where she now resides on the corner of Henry and Mifflin
streets. Mr. Hussey was married in August, 1884, the maiden name
of his wife being Minnie Daggett, born in the city of Madison on
February 11, 1858. Her parents were Joseph and Mary (Smith)
Daggett, old and highly respected citizens of the capital city, and
both natives of Ireland. The mother came to America with her
parents when a mere girl, and the father made the journey alone.
He was first employed in a drygoods store in the city of New
York, and later came to Janesville, Wis., where he was employed
for some time in the same kind of an establishment. There he
was married, and shortly after that event removed to Madison,
where he secured employment as a clerk for Dickenson & Bartels
and remained with that firm until it went out of business, and then
worked for a time for Klauber. Later he was employed at Ogil-
vie's and remained there until his death, in 1885. The mother was
deceased in 1890, both passing away in Madison. They were the
parents of seven children, of whom five are living: Robert mar-
ried Agnes Fanning and resides in Madison ; Edward Charles mar-
ried Julia Morhoff and resides in the city of Madison ; Allan also
resides in Madison, as does Minnie, who is the widow of the sub-
ject of this review. Mr. and Mrs. Hussey became the parents of
six children, all of whom reside at home with their mother: Ger-
trude Catherine, Hazel Margaret, John Henry, Frances Mary,
Harold Joseph and Clarence George. In his political views Mr.
Hussey gave allegiance to the principles of the Democratic party,
and his religious faith was expressed by membership in the Catho-
lic church.

Frederick C. Hutson, treasurer of the Wisconsin Rubber com-
pany, is a native of Wisconsin. He was born in Edgerton, Rock

BIOGRAPHICAL. 445

county, February 20, 1862. His parents were Thomas and Harriet
(Hill) Hutson, the former a native of Michigan and the latter of
Ogdensburg, N. Y. The subject of this sketch is the only living-
child of this union. After the death of his first wife Thomas Hut-
son married Mrs. Martha Simpson, by whom he had five children, — ■
Charles, a prominent attorney and member of the state legislature
of Washington; Maud A. (Mrs. Theodore Clark), a resident of Ed-
gerton ; J. Frank, lives in Edgerton ; Myrtle, deceased ; and Roy,
lives in the state of Washington. Frederick C. Hutson received
his education in the Edgerton high school and Milton college.
After graduation he engaged in the leaf-tobacco business, his first
venture being with S. E. Barnard of Evansville for one year, the
following three years Mr. Hutson conducted his own leaf-tobacco
business and then was made cashier of the bank of Lodi, in which
position he remained eleven years. The last year of his connec-
tion with the bank he was treasurer of the Lodi Mutual Fire In-
surance company. From Lodi he went to Janesville to serve as
head bookkeeper of the Janesville Wholesale Grocery Company.
After a year he became connected with the Tobasco-Chiapas Trad-
ing & Transportation Company of Chicago, where he became as-
sociated with S. W. Merrick, who at the time was selling the stock
of the Philadelphia Plantation Company. In 1903 they organized
the Wisconsin Rubber Company and incorporated it. The officers
of this company are Prof. R. B. Anderson, president ; Dr. C. H.
Hall, vice-president; S. W. Merrick, secretary; F. C. Hutson, treas-
urer, and Edwin F. Carpenter of Janesville, attorney. The author-
ized capital stock when fully paid will be $1,500,000. Up to
March 31, 1906, $1,037,100 of this had been sold. The plantation
of the company contains about 5,050 acres and 3,000, over half of
it, is under cultivation, having been done during the past twenty-
four months by the Mexican Development Company, organized by
John R. Markley, Isaac B. Miller and others. The Wisconsin
company has about 2,000,000 rubber trees growing, two-thirds of
which are eight months old and the remainder eighteen months.
There are about one hundred and fifty buildings on the property
and several bridges, one of the bridges being one hundred and
sixty feet' long built of three inch mahogany plank. Large quanti-
ties of pineapples, lemons, bananas and oranges are grown and
shipped each year. Last year the plantation produced also 25,000
bushels of corn. Mr. Hutson married on January 1, 1885, Miss
Carrie A., daughter of Benjamin C. and Mary F. (Maxon) Hall,
both deceased. To this union two children have been born, Har-

446 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

riet M. and Thomas R. Mr. Hutson is a member of the Modern
Woodmen, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church.

Francis B. Hyland is one of the most progressive and popular
citizens of Stoughton, in which city he conducts an extensive profes-
sional business in the field of magnetic healing, securing patients from
all sections of the Union and having met with remarkable success.
He has finely appointed offices and facilities in the Hyland Block,
which was erected by him and which is the best business block in the
city, thoroughly modern in design and equipment. Mr. Hyland is a
representative of one of the pioneer families of Wisconsin and is him-
self- a native of the old Empire state of the Union, having been born
in Mannsville, Jefferson county, New York, January 12, 1845, and be-
ing a son of Edward and Mary Hyland, both of whom were born and
reared in County Limerick, Ireland, whence they immigrated to the
United States in the thirties, first locating in New York city and later
removing to Jefferson county, that state, where the father followed his
trade, that of tailor, until 1849, when he removed with his family to
Wisconsin. He purchased eighty acres of land in Rock county and
soon afterward located in the little village of Fulton, that county,
where he conducted a tailor shop for several years, in the meanwhile
improving his farm. In later life he removed to Icwa, where he died
at the age of about seventy-five years, his wife having died in 1859.
They became the parents of eight children, of whom five are living,
namely: Margaret, wife of Samuel Henderson, and Edward,.
Francis B., John and William. The subject of this sketch was reared
to manhood in Wisconsin, receiving such advantages as were af-
forded by the common schools of the locality and period. He served
an apprenticeship at the cigarmaker's trade, in Fulton, Rock county,
and from 1868 to 1878 he was independently engaged in the manu-
facturing of cigars at Osage, Iowa, where he also conducted a mag-
netic-healing establishment. For twelve years thereafter he was en-
gaged in the same line of business in Oshkosh, Wis., and since that
time, for a period of fifteen years, he has maintained his home and
professional headquarters in Stoughton. His success in his field of
practice has been pronounced and he has effected many wonderful
cures. His reputation has been gained through this source, — the
commendation of those whom he has relieved of the burden of suffer-
ing,— and thus he has not taken recourse to advertising in the specific
sense. He is to be considered a physician dc facto, and in his prov'nee
he has proven the true friend and benefactor of humanity. His
offices and other equipments are of the most elaborate order, and the

BIOGRAPHICAL. 447

extent of the demand placed upon his professional services may be
comprehended partially when it is stated that he has had patients
from every state in the Union. Mr. Hyland has shown unqualified
public spirit and has done much to promote the progress and upbuild-
ing of Stoughton. In 1896-7 he erected the Hyland Block, the
largest and finest in the city, and he also owns other valuable realty
here. In politics his allegiance is given to the Republican party.
Mr. Hyland has been twice married, the maiden name of his first wife
having been Frances Barber. She was the daughter of Augustus and
Fanny Barber, of Fulton, this state, and she is survived by her only
child, Gertrude, wife of William Bates, a prominent resident of Du-
iuth, Minnesota, and the present incumbent of the office of sheriff of
his county. For his second wife Mr. Hyland wedded Miss Martha
Robertson, daughter of George Robertson, of Fulton, Wis., and they
have four children. — Florence, Laura, Ross and Mabel. Laura is now
the wife of Bryant Everest, of Oshkosh, this state.

Gardner D. Ingraham, who owns and operates the farm in the
town, of Rutland commonly called the Charles Pollard place, came to
Wisconsin when a boy. Nathaniel Ingraham, his father was a native of
the state of New York and went to Pennsylvania when he was eighteen
years of age. A carpenter and wheelwright by trade, he worked for a
few years in Pennsylvania and then moved to Geauga county, Ohio.
There he married M ss Nancy Whimple, a native of Pennsylvania, and
lived on a farm until 1857. At that time he brought his family to
Wisconsin and located at Lodi, Wis. After but a few months in
Lodi, they moved to Oregon and thence to Rutland, which became
their permanent home. Mrs. Ingraham died in 1858 and her husband
married a second time, his wife being Miss Louisa Lacy from Penn-
sylvania. Four children were born to the first marriage of whom all
but the oldest son, Eugene, are living; Melvin lives at Evansvilie,
Wis. and has retired from active business; Henry is a real estate
dealer and attorney of Rocky Ford, Col.; Gardner D. is the youngest.
Both children of the second marriage are deceased. Gardner D. In-
graham was born in Geauga county, Ohio, July 23, 1853, was educated
at the schools of Rutland and Evansvilie and lived with his parents
until his marriage in October, 1878. His wife was Miss Belle Hil-
dreth, daughter of Lampson and Sarah (Tuttle) Hildreth, who came
to Rutland from New York state. Three of their children live in Wis-
consin; Lansing, the oldest, at Madison; Charles in the town of Dunn
and Belle in Rutland. Mr. and Mrs. Ingraham have six sons and
daughters; George, the oldest son, resides at home; Nellie, the oldest
daughter, is the wife of Dwight Reed of Delavan, Wis. ; and the others,

448 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Harry, Frank and the two youngest children remain at home. Mrs.
Reed has one daughter, Leona Beth! Mr. Ingraham is a Republican
in his political affiliations and takes much interest in local affairs. He
has served on the county board of supervisors. Mrs. Ingraham is a
member of the Baptist church of Union, in which the children have
been trained. They have all attended the home schools. Mr. In-
graham is a member of the Evansville branch of the Modern Wood-
men of America.

John Ives, an old resident of Black Earth, was born at Liverpool,
England, November 11, 1824, his parents being John and Ann
(Sadler) Ives, both natives of that city. In 1826 the family came
to America *on an old-fashioned sailing vessel, having a rough
voyage. For some years they lived in the city of New York, where
the father followed his trade of machinist and stationery engineer.
He then left his family in New York and went to New Orleans,
where he started a machine shop, in connection with his brother.
During the war between Texas and Mexico he went to the latter
country, and was captured and executed as a spy. The mother in
1835 left the city of New York and went to Lycoming county, Pa.:
where she passed the rest of her life. Both parents were members
of the church of England. Their children were : Edward, now
living in St. Louis; Mary Ann, in Pennsylvania; John; Samuel, liv-
ing in Lycoming county, Pa. ; Elizabeth, at New Albany, Ind. ; and
Thomas, deceased. John Ives, received a limited education in the
common schools and at the age of ten years went with a man to
New Jersey, and there drove cows for about eighteen months. He
then went to live with a farmer, with whom he staid for five years,
working for his board and clothes. At the end of this service he
learned the blacksmith's trade and worked at it in Columbia and
Schulkill counties. Pa., and in St. Louis for some time. In 1848
he came to Dane county, but remained only a short time. The fol-
lowing year he returned and located in the town of Madison, where
he worked on a farm for about two years, giving up this occupa-
tion to run an engine at Pheasant Branch. Three years later he
entered the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad
Company, as a fence builder, later going to Cross Plains to run an
engine. In 1856 he located where he now lives, buying at that
time eighty acres of unimproved land, upon which he erected a
log cabin. His present residence was built in I860. On Novem-
ber 1, 1856, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Ann. daughter
of Amos and Hannah (Ditson) Heald. Her parents were both
natives of Somerset county, Me., where the father was born in 1798,

2

o

M. Ivkrson, M. D.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 449

and the mother on August 31, 1802. They came to Dane county in
1847, and located in the town of Black Earth. He died in 1881 and
she in 1887. They had three children. Harriet is the wife of
Edward Plummer, of Baraboo ; Sarah A., now Mrs. Ives ; and
Esther, wife of George Bates, of Black Earth. Mrs. Ives was a
teacher before her marriage, having taught the first school in Berry
township. She belonged to an old colonial family, her grandfather
having taken part in the Revolutionary War, and is recorded among
the pensioniers of that conflict. Mr. and Mrs. Ives have one son,
Guy, who was born on June 17, 1871. He was educated at the
University of Wisconsin and the state normal school at Superior;
taught for three years in the public schools ; was elected superin-
tendent of the Dane county schools in the fall of 1898 ; re-elected
in 1900, 1902 and again in the spring of 1905. He is a member of
the Masonic lodge. No. 179. at Black Earth, and belongs to the
Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is a Democrat, and
in 1897 was elected assessor, holding the office for one term. On
March 31, 1901, he married Miss Hattie L., daughter of Rev. and
Mrs. H. E. Williams^ and they have one son, Donald E., born
February 10, 1902. In political and church matters Guy Ives evi-
dently thinks for himself, as his father is classed as a Republican
with independent proclivities, and his mother belongs to the Con-
gregational church.

Michael Iverson, M. D., who is engaged in the practice of his
profession in the city of Stoughton, where he is the owner of a finely
equipped private hospital of thirty beds, is recognized as one of the
representative surgeons of Dane county. Dr. Iverson was born in
the city of Bergen, Norway, November 30, 1861, and is a son of Iver
and Maria (Heogh) Iverson. The father, who was a leading jeweler
and an honored and influential citizen of Bergen, died in 1896. His
widow still resides in Bergen. She is of noble descent, the Heogh
family tracing its ancestry through the nobility of Denmark for sev-
eral centuries, and several representatives of the name having been
prominent in Danish history. In the generation of the present day
are found four physicians, four dentists and five clergymen, includ-
ing one bishop. These professional men are cousins and uncles of
Dr Iverson. The doctor was afforded the advantages of the Latin
school in his native city and he then entered the Royal University, at
Christiana, from which famous institution he was graduated as a mem-
ber of the class of 1882, receiving the degree of Master of Arts, and
passing the examination in philosophy in the following year. He then
29— iii

450 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

took up the study of medicine, in the medical department of the Uni-
versity of Christiana, and was graduated in 1890, with the degree of
doctor of medicine. Previously, in 1885, he had enjoyed the benefit
of instruction under the well known and distinguished Professor
Weidenheim, of Freiburg, Germany, assisting him in his department
of anatomy for six months and gaining most valuable experience in
the connection. In 1891 Dr. Iverson came to America and forthwith
took up his residence in Stoughton, where he has since continued in
the active practice of his profession, in which he gained marked dis-
tinction and gratifying success. It is well worthy of note in this con-
nection that, although the doctor's surgical cases have increased one
hundred per cent he has not lost a case in the whole year. He gives
special attention to surgery and to the treatment of the diseases of
the eye and ear. Dr. Iverson projected, established and owns the
Stoughton hospital and sanitarium, which is thoroughly modern in
all its equipments and facilities. It is situated on a high hill with an
exceptional view of ten miles in every direction and has roomy
screened porches in all three stories. In the same are installed all
kinds of therapeutic appliances. All kinds of baths are to be had in
the institution, and the hospital has an excellent corps of trained
nurses, who are educated in the institution, under the personal direc-
tion of Dr. Iverson. The operating room is thoroughly aseptic and
has the best of appliances, so that the work done in the same is of
the best order known to modern surgery. The hospital is non-sec-
tarian and is strictly a private institution, though some charity work
is done in a quiet way. Dr. Iverson and his family reside in the
building and his presence is a great convenience to his patients. The
building has its own electric-lighting and steam plants, and the insti-
tution is a credit to the city and to its founder and owner. August 24,
1891, Dr. Iverson was united in marriage to Miss Helga Yohane Eide,
of Sondfjord, Norway, and they have three daughters, — Ingeborg,
Agnes and Dagmar.

Edson B. Jackson belonged to an American family whose his-
tory runs back two hundred years, to Michael Jackson, the son of one
of two brothers who came to th's country from the north of Ireland,
in the colonial days and some of whose descendants, including the
direct ancestor of the subject of this sketch, took part in the Revolu-
tionay War. His parents, John Lyman and Phoebe (Turner) Jack-
son, were natives of New York and Edson B. was born in that state, in
Strykersville, Wyoming county, September 29, 1843. The family
came west in 1852, making the journey from Buffalo to Milwaukee
via the lakes, thence by rail to Madison over the first railroad between

BIOGRAPHICAL. 451

these points, just then completed, and to Richland county by team.
They settled in Forest township, built a log cabin and began pioneer
life in earnest. It was said that "the only capital the father possessed
was a strong constitution, a clear conscience, a wife, two babies and
enough money to buy an ax to carve out a home in the forest), but
after all, in many respects, a better capital for future American citi-
zenship than many a modern Croesus can command." With the char-
acteristic versatility of the "down-easter," he taught school, peddled,
gathered ginseng in the woods, which being dried, sold for twelve
cents a pound, and out of the hard conditions of pioneer life, com-
manded success, built himself a comfortable home, and won the respect
and esteem of the community, being elected to represent his assembly
district in the Wisconsin legislature. Edson Jackson was a half-
grown lad when he came with his parents to Wisconsin, and had al-
ready received the rudiments of his education ; he attended the district
schools of Viroqua and Baraboo, but was very largely a self-educated
man. September 3. 1864, he went into service in Company B, Forty-
second Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers, and remained until the
close of the war, being discharged June 20, 1865. After returning
from the war he made his home on the farm with his father and
mother. In 1864 the family moved from Richland county, to Dane,
and lived several years in the town of Sun Prairie; in 1867, they
bought the "C. P. IMosely farm," of one hundred and twenty acres in
section 1 1 , township of Oregon, where the family still resides. In the
eighties he spent several years traveling in the interest of the Jackson
Cold Storage and Refrigerator Co., of which he was manager and
super "ntendent. Mr. Jackson was a Democrat of the old school but
that did not prevent his being elected for nine consecutive years as
chairman of the board of supervisors in the town of Oregon, a town
strongly Republican ; "he also served on the Dane county board for
nine years and was chairman of that body at the time of his death.
He was a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Jackson married
somewhat late in life after the death of his parents. His wife was
Mrs. Josephine (Bull) Fisher, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (For-
sell) Bull, natives of England, who came to New York before the war,
in 1853, and in 1862 settled in Springfield. Dane county. They bought
a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, in Oregon township, but after-
ward sold it and moved to Oregon village, where they died. Mrs.
Jackson was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., and came to the west with her
parents in 1862. She was for many years a popular teacher in the
Oregon schools, active in church circles, and a leader of the social life
of the village. Mrs. Jackson is now resident of Oregon village. She

452 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

married Mr. Jackson, September 30, 1896, and they had two children,
Lyman Edson ancl Morris Dunn. Mr. Jackson had one sister, Helen
S. Jackson Dunn, of Centralia, 111. She belongs to the D. A. R. and
is a practising- physician. She graduated in medicine in Chicago, and
began her independant career very early, teaching her first school
when she was fourteen years o>ld. Mr. Jackson died at his home in
Oregon, July 9, 1904. He is remembered as a man of genial char-
acteristics, of exceptionally good judgment and of fearless honesty.
Robert H. Jacobs is the proprietor of a hotel and one of the lead-
ing citizens of Verona. His father, William H. Jacobs, was a
native of Scoharie county, N. Y., and came to Illinois when he was
about twenty-five years of age. He was an active, energetic busi-
ness man and carried on large real estate deals in Baraboo, Madison
and Chicago. He died very suddenly while sitting in his chair ;
he was an early riser and on the morning in question got up at his
usual hour, apparently in his usual health. He was fifty-seven
years of age at the time of his death. He married Mary E.
Knowles, a native of Pennsylvania and of Quaker descent. She
resides at present in Madison. She was one of a family of thirteen
children, three of whom served in the Civil War; one brother died
in Libby prison and one in Andersonville, the third escaped from
Andersonville after having been confined there for sixteen months ;
he lived about eleven years, but never recovered from the rheuma-
tism contracted during his imprisonment. Mr. Wm. H. Jacobs
also served in the war, in Company D, First Wisconsin cavalry,
and was wounded by a minnie ball, in the left shoul'der, during the
engagement at Chalk's Bluff, Mo. Robert H. Jacobs was born in
South Evanston, 111., August 24, 1874. He is the third in a family
of five, viz., S. M. Jacobs, proprietor of a feed store, Madison ,
Jessie, married E. S. Barker of Madison ; Robert H. ; Grace, (de-
ceased) ; Marion F., a teacher of Madison. The earlier part of his
life was spent in Sauk and Walworth counties, and when he was
twelve years of age the family removed to Dane county. At the
age of twenty-two he was engaged in the feed business in Madison,
under the firm name of Jacobs & Rothnick, remaining in the busi-
ness for about one year, he then took up farming, for a year, in
Middleton township, but returned to Madison and went into the
grocery business, and later entered the employ of the Madison
Traction Co., as a motorman. His last stay in Madison covered
about four years and at the end of that time he went to Verona
and engaged in the hotel business. He was married June 30, 1897.
to Miss Nellie Buehler, daughter of Christopher and Lizzie E.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 453

Buehler, early settlers in Sauk county. They have two children,
Hildreth, born August 19, 1902, and Robert, born September 13,
1904. Mr. Jacobs is a Republican and a member of the Henry
Harnden Camp, Sons of Veterans.

Ole R. Jacobsen, proprietor of the O. R. Jacobsen grocery and
crockery concern at 201 East Main street, Madison, was born in
Norway, August 8, 1855. His parents, Jacob Olesen and Grete
Dortea, never came to America. The father died while the sub-
ject of this sketch was still a youth. The mother,, eighty-eight
years of age, is still living, a resident of Norway. Her husband
was a shoemaker and farmer, and followed those vocations all his
life. Ole R. Jacobsen came to the New World in 1871, his destina-
tion being Madison. He started in the grocery and crockery busi-
ness in the firm known as Nelson & Jacobsen, and which later be-
came known as Olsen & Jacobsen. Several years ago he pur-
chased his partner's interest and has since managed the business
alone. For over thirty years he has been identified with the
grocery business of Madison, either as a clerk, in partnership or
carrying on a business of his own. He has been highly successful,
as is evidenced by the standard which his place of business keeps.
On January 30, 1879, Mr. Jacobsen was united in marriage to Miss
Tina Johnson, a native of Norway, and by this union is the father
of six children. The children in the order of their ages are Gerhart,
Carl, Berthe, Thora, Clara and Esther. The religious affiliations
of the family are with the Lutheran church. Politically Mr.
Jacobsen belongs to the Republican party. The Jacobsen's pretty
home is at 20 North Franklin street and its air of quiet refinement
gives ample evidence of the perfect harmony of the home life.

Johan Jacobson, member of the firm of Jacobson Bros., owners
and proprietors of the Stoughton Home Bakery, the leading estab-
lishment of its kind in the city, is a native of Norway. His father,
Jacob Christopherson, was employed by the Norwegian govern-
ment in the postal department for fifty years. In 1894 he died,
aged seventy-eight years, and his widow, Karen (Johanson) Chris-
topherson came to Stoughton in 1904 to join her children, Martin,
Johan, Andrew and Ingeborg. Johan was born November 29, 1882,
received his early education in Norway and came to the United
States when he was a lad of seventeen years. He found employ-
ment with the Mandt Wagon Co. and worked there until 1903,
when the present firm of Jacobson Bros, was established. The
new firm commenced with considerable patronage and the business
has been constantly growing. April 18, 1906. Mr. Jacobson mar-

454 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

ried Miss Hilda Ovren, daughter of August E. and Sarah (Jensen)
Ovren of Stoughton. Mr. Jacobson is fond of out-of-door sports
and owns a large gasoline launch, one of the finest on Lake Ke-
gonsa, where he also owns an interest in a delightful summer cot-
tage, which he occupies with his family during a part of each sum-
mer. The family is identified with the Norwegian Lutheran church
and Mr. Jacobson is a member of the I. S. W. A. He is affiliated
with the Republican party but devotes but little time to active par-
ticipation in politics.

Henry C. Jaquish is a pioneer of Wisconsin, who has now after
a successful business career, retired from active life and makes his
home in Madison. He was born at Mount Rose, Susquehanna county,
Pa., March 31, 1820, son of David and Anna (Worden) Jaquish, the
former a native of New York and the latter of Connecticut. Henry C.
had very little opportunity for education although he attended the dis-
trict school in the vicinity of his home. In 1845 he was at work in
St. Louis and decided to go to Wisconsin and •accordingly drove his
team from St. Louis to Mineral Point, where at that time the lead
mines were attracting many settlers. Mr. Jaquish remained in Min-
eral Point but one year and again using his team and wagon for con-
veyance, moved to Dane county and built a comfortable home in
which he resided for seven or eight years. He then bought the Heyer
hotel, in Madison, the name of which he later changed to that of Ja-
quish Hotel, and conducted for twenty years. A member of the old
Whig party, Mr. Jaquish served as constable several terms in terri-
torial days. December 26, 1844, he married Miss Sally May Barnes,
who was born in St. Clair county, 111., August 11, 1827, daughter of
Joseph and Betsey Barnes. Ten children were born to the marriage.
Maria is deceased; Jennie is Mrs. William Stephens of New York;
Joseph and Henry reside in Wisconsin; Hannah married H. Doyling,
is now a widow and lives in Oshkosh; Frank resides in Baraboo;
Charles resides in Madison; Minnie is Mrs. Mitchell of Madison; John
and Jerome also live in Madison.

Beverly Jefferson. Among the important business interests of
the city of Madison, Wisconsin, is the one conducted by the sub-
ject of the present sketch. What Frank Parmalee or Leroy Payne
is to Chicago, Mr. Jefferson is to the city of Madison, conducting
as he does one of the largest lines of carriages, hacks and wagons
in this section. His business was begun in 1869, and is the oldest
in the city, having been developed as the demands of the times
required, until now his establishment is metropolitan in its appoint-
ments. His stables are located at No. 12 North Webster street.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 455

Mr. Jefferson came to this city in the early fifties, when he was yet
a boy, passing his young manhood in various occupations until he
became the clerk of the old but well remembered American House.
The old house has given place to the handsome First National
bank building on that site. Here our subject remained until his
enlistment in 1861, in Company E, First Wisconsin Regiment,
under Colonel J. C. Starkweather and Captain Geo. E. Bryant.
He served three months in the volunteer army, going out with the
three months' men. At the expiration of his enlistment, he re-
turned and bought out the American House, in which he had
been clerk before entering the army. After a season Mr. Jeffer-
son moved out to his farm, which is located four miles from the
city, but later returned and opened the hotel known as the Capital
House, being the first landlord, and here he remained for just five
years. In the meantime he had seen the opening for a line of om-
nibuses, and left the hotel to engage in his present business which
he established before leaving the hotel. Mr. Jefferson has steered
clear of local politics. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity,
of the C. C. Washburn post. No. 11, G. A. R. of Madison, of the Old
Settlers Club, and the American Association of Passenger & Bag-
gage Transfer. Mr. Jefferson was born in Augusta county, Vir-
ginia, in 1839, and was yet young when his parents removed to the
west. Both of his parents were born in Virginia. They both died
in Madison, the father when he was less than fifty years of age, and
the mother when seventy-five. Her maiden name was Julia A.
Jefferson. She was a member of the Congregational church. Our
subject is the only surviving member of his family and was the
youngest son. The oldest son. Col. J. W. died June 13, 1892, at
Memphis, Tennessee. He had been a resident of Madison for some
years, enlisted early in the Civil War, was commissioned major of
the Eighth Wisconsin Volunteers, known as the "Eagle Eight"
August 26, 1861 ; he was seriously wounded at Corinth, Mississippi,
May 22, 1863 ; was promoted to the position of colonel at the expi-
ration of his term of service, October 11. 1864, and at once returned
to the city of Memphis, Tenn., where he engaged in the buying and
shipping of cotton and for many years was interested in the raising
of cotton in the state of Arkansas. Colonel Jefferson was identi-
fied very closely with the history of Memphis and that city's inter-
ests and welfare were dear to his heart from 1864 until the time of
his death. In Memphis he was regarded by all as a gentleman to
be esteemed, as he was enterprising, liberal, progressive and warm-
hearted. He was one of the original projectors and owners of the

456 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Continental Cotton Company, and until 1873 was one of the largest
shippers of cotton in the south, and was interested in many other
enterprises. He was of a genial, chivalrous disposition, and be-
came well known throughout the south, his adopted home. He
became wealthy and died unmarried. Our subject was married in
Madison to Miss Anna M. Smith, a native of Pennsylvania, who
came here when a young girl with her parents, Isaac and Sarah J.
Smith. They settled upon a farm near Madison, where they be-
came prosperous, but later moved into the city, where they both
died and were buried upon the same day at about the age of
seventy-five years. Before coming west Mr. Smith had been a
prominent lumber merchant in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Jefferson died
in 1880, when in middle life. She was a consistent member of the
Presbyterian church and left behind her five sons: Thomas B., a
messenger with the American Express Co.. with headquarters at
Chicago ; John F., in the passenger service of the C. & N. R. R. Co.,
with headquarters at Chicago ; Fred A., a graduate of the Rush
Medical college and a practicing physician on the north side, Chi-
cago; Harry E., deceased; Carl, graduate from the law department
of the University of Wisconsin, and is now assistant attorney in
the legal department of the C. M. & St. P. R. R.. at Chicago.

Griffith Jehu is a prominent and successful farmer of the town of
Rutland and is a native of Montgomeryshire, Wales. He owns a fine
farm of three hundred fifty-four acres in the town of Rutland, on
which he carries on" a general farming business, raising tobacco, hay,
grain, etc., but he gives most of his attention to his fine registered
Polled Angus cattle, of which he has a herd of fifty head. His par-
ents, Hugh and Sarah (Evans) Jehu were born in Montgomeryshire,
Wales, lived there during their youth and early married life and came
to America in 1847. They lived for a time in Racine and in 1866 came
to Rutland, where they obtained two hundred and forty acres of farm
land in section 26. There were few improvements on the farm and
its value has teen very greatly enhanced by the additions to it made
by Mr. Jehu. A Republican in his political sympathies, Mr. Jehu
never desired office. With his family he attended the W'elsh Metho-
dist Episcopal church. Of the family of nine children but three arc
now living; Elizabeth, whose home is in Algona, Iowa; Griffith, the
subject of this sketch, and Hugh, who is a retired farmer of Esther-
ville, Iowa. Griffith was born in 1846. attended the common schools
and the Albion Academy and lived at home, working on the farm and
taking care of his parents as they grew old. He has done a great
deal of the work which has made his farm an up-to-date and valuable

BIOGRAPHICAL. 457

farm property and keeps well-posted in everything which concerns
his business. Mr. Jehu is , like his father, a Republican and takes an
active interest in local affairs. He held the office of assessor for two
years and has also been chairman of the town board for eleven years
in succession. In May, 1899, he married Miss Hattie Ham, daughter
of Henry and Mary (Alvis) Ham, natives of Somersetshire, England.
Mrs. Jehu's father is a butcher in Stoughton. Griffith, Jr. is the only
child of Mr. and Mrs. Jehu. Mr. Jehu is an active and energetic
business man and owner of one of the finest farms in the district.

John T. W. Jennings, member of the firm of Jennings & Kronen-
berg, architects, with offices in the Wisconsin building, Madison,
comes of a line of New England patriots. His father, George H. Jen-
nings, was in the wholesale grocery and provision business in New
York state for many years. He was born November 9, 1824. Dur-
ing the Civil War he was in the cotton commission business for War-
ren Newcombe & Company and later was general auditor of the en-
tire business of Grover & Baker, manufacturers of sewing machines
and subsequently was secretary and treasurer of the Biddle Manu-
facturing company of New York. The first Jennings to arrive in the
colonies was Nathan, who settled in Massachusetts in 1690. Subse-
quently he removed to Windham, Conn., Where he was one of the
pioneers. Through his brothers' descendants, Wisconsin, Iowa, Mich-
igan and Minnesota became peopled with Jennings. His son Jona-
than was the first white child born in Windham settlement. From the
Windham Jonathan emigrated to where Sandusky, Ohio, now stands
and entered a timber claim. On account of an ocular trouble Jonathan
returned to New York where he died. His son Nathan, the father of
George H., was a soldier in the war of 1812. A great uncle oi the sub-
ject of this sketch was Jay Jennings, who kept an inn and a store where
Delafield is now located, it being a stopping place for stages running
between Madison and Racine. Jay's descendants are scattered
throughout Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. Royal Jennings, a cousin
of George H., was the father of two sons, Royal H. and Edward,
who settled in Milwaukee in 1842. The first named was for many
years treasurer of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway
system. His daughter. Miss Frances, is still a resident of Milwau-
kee. Edward was treasurer of the Northwestern Mutual Life
Insurance of Milwaukee. He left three children, George, Ferguson
and Clara. The latter is now Mrs. Cassius Noyes of the Cream City.
Maternally J. T. W. Jennings is of Scotch descent. His mother, nee
Elizabeth Wilson, was a direct and lineal decendent of James Wilson,
who came from Paisley, Scotland, to New York in 1740. Her

458 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

father, John Wilson, was a major in the eleventh New York artillery
in the War of 1812. Airs. Jennings died March 14, 1861. She is
survived by two other children besides the subject of this sketch, —
Linson De forest, who makes his home in Buffalo, and Mary Eliza-
beth, now the wife of Wilfred Buckland, a resident of New York.
John T. W. Jennings was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., May 29, 1856.
His education was received in the Brooklyn public school and the
polytechnic school of the same city. In 1877 he was graduated from
New York university with the degrees of Bachelor of Science and
Civil Engineer. When his collegiate work was over he entered the
architect's office of the Astor estate under Thomas Stent. Later he be-
came assistant engineer of the New York suburban rapid transit road
and in 1883 accepted a similar position with the Chicago, Milwaukee &
St. Paul railroad company. From 1885 to 1893 he was the architect
for the company, from the later year until 1899 was engaged in gen-
eral practice in Chicago. In 1899 he removed to Madison to accept
the position of supervising architect of the University of Wisconsin
buildings and grounds and held that position until November II,
1905, when the firm of Jennings & Kronenberg was established.
While engaged in university work he oversaw the building of the
agricultural hall, the dairy barns, the university stable, the agricul-
tural power house, the engineering building, the horticultural build-
ing and the chemistry building. On March 11, 1886, Mr. Jennings
was united in marriage to Miss Jeanette McKee Williams, a native
of Milwaukee, and a daughter of Lansing" and Amelia (Leland) Wil-
liams. Mr. Williams is deceased, but his widow is still a resident of
Ola, Ark. Mr. and Mrs. Jennings have one daughter, Ruth Leland,
a student of the University of Wisconsin, and one son, John Wil-
liams Jenning, born November 11, 1896. Mrs. Jennings is a com-
municant of the Episcopal church. Her husband is a member of the
Free and Accepted Masons, the Benevolent and Protective Order of
the Elks and the Zeta Psi college fraternity. While a resident of
of New York he belonged to the Company B, Thirteenth Regiment,
state militia.

Knut Jenson, a successful contractor and builder, with residence
and business head quarters in the thriving city of Stoughton, was
born in Norway. April 27, 1864, being a son of Jens Knutsen and
Carrie Jensen. He was reared to manhood in his native land, where he
was afforded the advantages of the excellent Lutheran schools and
where he remained until 1884, when, at the age of twenty years he
set forth for America. He came to Dane county soon after his ar-
rival in the new world, and here he was employed at the carpenter's

BIOGRAPHICAL. 459

trade for three years, at the expiration of which he removed to Lodi,
■Columbia county, where he engaged in business for himself, as a con-
tractor and builder. Reliable workmanship and honorable methods
gained to him rapid advancement and he .built up a prosperous enter-
prise. He remained at Lodi six years and then, in 1903, located in
Stoughton, in order to secure a broader field of operations. As a
contractor he iias here been most successful, having erected a number
of fine buildings in the city and surrounding districts and having also
remodeled the Stoughton water works. In politics he is a stanch
Republican, fraternally he is identified with the Beavers, and both he
and his wife are members of the First Lutheran church. October 13,
1 89 1, Mr. Jenson was united in marriage to Miss Joanna Quern,
daughter of Lt<rs and Anna Quern, of Dane county, and the children
of this union are Clara, Annie, Mabel, Lena. Joseph, and Cora.

Adolph Johnson, carpenter and contractor, also operating a plan-
ing mill at 138 to 142 Frances street, was born in Grenaa, Denmark.
January 16, 1866. He is one of ten children of Jens and Mary
(Boreson) Johnson, natives of Denmark where the father still re-
sides. The mother died in 1892 at the age of fifty-two. There
six of the ten children still living, only one of whom, Julia, beside
the subject of this sketch ever left the native land. Julia is married
and lives in Nebraska. Adolph was educated in the common
schools of Denmark and served his apprenticeship in that country -
From Denmark he removed to Germany, where he worked at his
trade a year in each Keil and Hamburg. About 1889 he came to
the United States, settling in Chicago, and worked there as a stair
builder for four years. In 1893 he arrived in Madison and went
into the employ of Jacob Leutscher, a contractor. He remained
with him eight years and in the spring of 1902 started in business
for himself. The planing mill was started at the same time. His
advance has been rapid and he is now considered one of the most
skilled workmen in the city. The contracts he undertakes have al-
ways been most satisfactorily fulfilled. In the line of house build-
ing, to which he directs his especial attention, he is exceptionallv
proficient. He employs from eight to twenty men the year around
and does work in practically all the towns of the county. On
September 20, 1897.. Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss
Mary Kapple, a native of Austria, and a daughter of Anton and
Johanna Kapple residing on a farm in the town of Roxbury. Mrs
Johnson is one of ten children, nine of whom are living. The
others are Frances, the wife of Matt Loy ; Joseph, who lives in
Warsaw, Washington: diaries, a farmer of the town of Roxbury;

460 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Anna, wife of Charles Buckles of Madison ; Anton, a carpenter in
Madison ; Minnie, Mrs. Charles Fuss, died at the age of twenty-one ;
Frank, a carpenter, employed in the shop of his brother-in-law;
Matt, on the farm ; and John, a farmer in the town of Roxbury.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have no children. Both are communicants
of the German Catholic church and the husband is a member of the
Order of Eagles. Mr. Johnson is an honest, upright and intelli-
gent workman who is rated among the best in his line of work.

Andrew P. Johnson, a prominent farmer of the town of Rutland,
spent his youth and young manhood in Norway and Sweden. He is
of Swedish birth and ancestry and his parents, John Anderson and
Bertha Anderson, were both natives of Ellstaate, Sweden. This was
also their home after their marriage and their family of seven chil-
dren were bom on a farm in Ellstaate. The parents are now de-
ceased and the family widely scattered. Mary, the oldest daughter,
lives in Norway : Andrew P. and Lewis in Rutland ; Tillie, in Madi-
son, Wis. ; Sophia, in Norway and Charles in Michigan. The young-
est son, Edwin, died in infancy. Andrew P. was born on the farm in
Ellstaate, October 18, 1846, attended the common schools, and whdn
a young man, went to the forest district of Norway, where he worked
in a saw-mill until 1881. At that time he concluded to try his fortune
in the west and located in Spring Lake, Mich., where he found em-
ployment in the mills. After three years in Spring Lake, he crossed
Lake Michigan and located in Stoughton, where he worked in a
wagon-shop. Three years of farm life in the town of Dunn followed,
three years more in the town of Dunkirk and then another period hi
the town of Dunn. His next location was Oregon, Wis. and he finally
purchased, in March, 1902, a farm of two hundred acres in Rutland,
which is his present home and on which he has expended much labor
and money and brought it to a high state of cultivation. Mr. Johnson
raises considerable stock as well as all kinds of farm produce. Mrs.
Johnson was formerly Miss Louisa Torgerson, daughter of Andrew
Torgerson, whose home is in Norway, and she married Mr. Johnson
in 1870. Their union has been blessed with nine children; John A. is
a stone-cutter In Milwaukee ; Adolph operates a farm in Dunkirk ; the
next two sons, Oscar and Severson, are both deceased ; Morris is a
successful farmer of the town of Dunn and the younger children,
Tolaf, Frank, George, and Andrew P. remain at home. The children
were educated in the Rutland and Stoughton schools and the family
attend the Lutheran church. Mr. Johnson is a Republican in his pol-
itical affiliations but is not an active politician.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 461

C. O. Johnson, of Norwegian origin, is a prosperous farmer of
the town of Vienna. His parents. Irwin and Carie (Elling) John-
son, were both born in Norway and there spent their entire lives.
Three sons and one daughter were born to them; and two sons,
Elling. the oldest, and C. O., came to Dane county, Elling in 1850
and his brother in 1854. In 1854, Elling Johnson, went to Minne-
sota and there he died in 1862. C. O. Johnson was born in Norway,
July 11, 1837, attended school in his native country and came to
Wisconsin when he was seventeen years of age. After a year in
Dane county, he went to Minnesota to join his brother, returning
to Vienna in 1858. He then went west to the Rocky Mountains
and engaged in gold mining for seventeen years. He was very suc-
cessful and when he became independent, he returned to the town
of Vienna and purchased a farm of two hundred acres, which has
ever since been his home. The buildings have been erected by Mr
Johnson and many other improvements to the property have been
made. Mr. Johnson makes a specialty of Clydesdale horses and
short-horned cattle. Formerly allied with the Republican party,
he has become independent in his political beliefs. For thirteen
years, Mr. Johnson was a supervisor and for two years chairman
of the township. September 25, 1878, he married Miss Carrie
Johnson, daughter of Peter Johnson and sister of Nels Johnson of
Vienna. Mrs. Johnson died June 15, 1904, leaving eight children.
Jessie Charlotte, the oldest, was educated at the Lutheran Academy
at Mount Horeb, Wis., and taught school for a year; Irwin Percival
attended the De Forest high school and the Northwestern Business
College of Madison ; Edna Louisa and Clarissa Tonetta graduated
from the De Forest high school and are both engaged in
teaching; Charles Elling and Willard Wallace are students at De
Forest; Archie Fremont and Cephas Clarence are the youngest of
the family. They all attend the Norway Grove Lutheran church.

George K. Johnson, a native of the Hoosier state, came to Rut-
land in 1878 and since that time has made it his home. He is a well-
jknown farmer and sheep-breeder. William D. Johnson and Ann
(Knight) Johnson, his parents, died in 185 1 within two months of each
other at Terre Haute, Ind., where they are both buried. Mr. Johnson
came to Dunkirk. Dane county, Wis., with his grandfather, Richard
Knight, in 1856 and settled upon a farm. William D. was born in
New Jersey, lived in Indiana and Illinois and was a shoemaker. Mrs.
Johnson was a native of England. Of their family, George is the
only one living. George K. Johnson was born at Madison, Ind.,
November 4, 1844, attended the common schools and in August, 1862,

462 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

enlisted as a private in the Twenty-second Wisconsin Volunteer Infan-
try, Company E. The regiment was ordered south and placed under
Gen. Buell's command. Mr. Johnson was captured at Spring Hill
tmd sent to Libby Prison, but was fortunately exchanged after a cap-
tivity of two weeks and rejoined his company at Nashville. He
shared in the march of Gen. Sherman to Atlanta, participating in the
/battles of Resaca, Burnt Hickory, Kenesaw Mountain, Dallas and
other smaller engagements and the siege operations before Atlanta. At
Nashville, July 29, 1865, the regiment was mustered out of the service.
After the close of the war, Mr. Johnson lived until 1878 at Dunkirk
and at that time purchased one hundred and fifty-two acres of farm'
land in the town of Rutland, sections 10 and 11. This farm he im-
proved and sold at a considerable profit hi 1896. He then bought his
present large farm, to which he has added many substantial improve-
ments and upon which he raises fine stock, particularly registered
Shropshire sheep, his flock usually numbering about two hundred
head. Mr. Johnson is a Republican but does not take any part in
active political life. He is a member o<f the Baptist church and also
of the Stoughton Commandery of the G. A. R. In September, 1866,
he married Miss Temperance Dimick of Dunkirk, daughter of John
nnd Dollie (Tanner) Dimick. They came from New York to Rock
county, Wis. in 1842 and afterward to Dunkirk. Four of their chil-
dren are living: Harriet, in Beloit; Jeromie, in Black River Falls;
Darwin at Beloit; and Temperance, Mrs. Johnson, in Rutland. Mr.
and Mrs. Johnson have three children ; the oldest daughter, Lavinia,
is the wife of Mr. Usher of Rutland; Isadore lives at home and
Silas E. in Idaho, where he owns a ranch.

Grove S. Johnson was born in the town of York and has been
known in Dane county for years as a successful school-teacher and
farmer. The family came to Wisconsin from New York and were of
colonial descent. Grove S. is the son of E. Spencer Johnson, who was
born in Oneida county, N. Y. July 12, 1819, educated m New York
and came to Dane county with his parents, Elias and Polly Sherman)
Johnson, in 184s. Elias Tomison was born in Massachuetts in 1783
and his wife in Clinton, Oneida county, N. Y. in 1790. They took up
eighty acres of wild land in the town of York in 1845, cleared and im-
proved it, added twenty acres more and made it their permanent home.
'Mr. Johnson died there in 1865. Elias Johnson served in the war of
1812. His widow lived uno-n the farm with her family until her death
in t88t. when she was ninety-three years of age. Her son, E. Spencer,
attended school in New York and became a carpenter. Many of the
earliest buildings in the town of York are his handiwork. His wife,

BIOGRAPHICAL. 463

Mary A. Johnson, was born at Clinton, Oneida county, N. Y. Nov-
ember 6, 1812, and married Mr. Johnson in 1845. Three children
were born to them; Grove S. is the oldest son; the second child, a
daughter, d'.ed in infancy and the youngest is a daughter, Bertha E.
Grove S. was born in York township, March 9, 1846, attended the
home schools, the Marshall academy and the Columbus high school.
For nineteen vears he was a school-teacher but finally decided to en-
gage in farming. He now owns >a farm of one hundred and thirty-
four acres upon which he carries on general farming and stock-rais-
ing business. He is a Democrat and served for a number of years as
clerk of the town board. Mr. Johnson is identified with the Colum-
bus Lodge, No. 75, F. & A. M.

Rev. Iver A. Johansen, the able and honored pastor of Our Sav-
iour's Norwegian Lutheran church, in the city of Stoughton, was
born in Norway, April 10, 1874, the place of his nativity having been
Kobberdahl, Helgeland. He is a son of Johan and Anna (Arntsen)
Johnansen, and in a remote way he is of Scotch descent. He was
reared to the age of eighteen years in his native land, laying the basis
for a liberal education in the excellent schools there maintained. In
1892 he came to America and proceeded to the city of Minneapolis,
where he entered the Augsburg Seminary, where he completed the
collegiate course, after which he pursued the theological course, being
graduated from this department of the school as a member of the
class of 1899 and being forthwith ordained to the ministry of the
Lutheran church. His first pastoral charge was at Larimore, North
Dakota, where he* remained one year, at the expiration of which he
returned to Norway, where he remained two years as a home mission-
ary in the little city of Bodoe. In September, 1902, Mr. Johansen
again came to the United states, locating in Stoughton, where he be-
came assistant to Rev. T. H. Dahl, pastor of the First Lutheran
church. When the congregation of the church of Our Saviour was
formally organized, in 1903, he was chosen pastor of the church, the
edifice of the same having been erected under his supervision and hav-
ing been completed in 1905, the dedication taking place in the Christ-
mas season. The building is a beautiful structure, erected at a cost
of seventeen thousand dollars, and the parish is in a most prosperous
condition, both spiritually and temporally. The church has six hun-
dred communicants, and the membership is constantly increasing.
The pastor is an able and earnest speaker, devoting himself with all
of zeal and consecration to the work of his parish and the cause of hu-
manity and enjoying the high regard of the entire community. In pol-
itics he gives his allegiance to the Republican party. At Larimore,

464 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

July 22, 1900, was solemnized the marriage of Air. Johansen to Aliss
Caroline Strandres, daughter of Sigve and Christine (Kron) Strandres,
natives respectively of Norway and Sweden and numbered among the
sterling pioneers of North Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Johansen have one
daughter, Hansince Theodora.

John A. Johnson, whose name is prominently associated with the
manufacturing interests of Wisconsin, as president and director of the
well-known firm of Fuller & Johnson, and as founder and owner of
the Gisholt Machine Company, came to the United States from his
native land, Norway, in 1844. He was the eldest of five children, and
was but twelve years of age when the family arrived in Milwaukee.
He began life, as did many other Norwegian immigrants of that
period, as a poor boy on a farm in Walworth county, and by sheer
hard work and force of character achieved success. He was essen-
tially a self-made man. He settled in Madison in 1861 and for several
years dealt in farm machinery. In the early eighties he joined in the
organization of the Fuller & Johnson Mfg. Co., for the manufacture
of farm machinery ; became its first president and remained at its
head until the time of his death. A few years later he also organized
the Gisholt Machine Co., for the manufacture of turret lathes and ma-
chine tools. The latter enterprise has expanded into one of the
largest manufacturing conerns in the city and state, and has always
been exclusively owned and managed by the Johnson family, — father
and sons. Mr. Johnson was for a time a member of the firm of John
Thompson & Company, of Beloit, plow manufacturers, and thus be-
came familiar with the farm implement business. From 1861 to 1869
he served as county clerk of Dane county ; also served as member of
the assembly for one term, and one term as state senator, and was a
member of the board of trustees of the Scate Hospital for the Insane.
In addition to his extensive business interests, Mr. Johnson found
time for considerable literary work, and was devoted to the cause of
education. He was a frequent contributor to the public press, and
wrote several books in the Norwegian language, which found a wide
circulation among his countrymen. In J876 he founded the J. A.
Johnson scholarships at the University of Wiscons'n, donating $5,000,
as a perpetual fund, the annual income of which is "applied in aid of
attendants at the University, who have previously attended a common
school or the University, at least one year. . . .Until the year 1900, the
aid thus provided for is limited to those students (without distinction
of sex) of the class already described, who can read or speak, reason-
ably well, one of the Scandinavian languages. . . .No student shall re-
ceive more than fifty dollars in one year, nor shall more than two

BIOGRAPHICAL. 465

hundred dollars in the aggregate be given to any cue student." The
authorities of the University were thus enabled to provide ten scholar-
ships of $35 each, which were the first ever offered by the institution.
Another noble charity which owes its origin to his wise beneficence
is the Gisholt Home for the Aged, in the town of Burke, near Madi-
son, ample provision for which was made in his last will and testament.
Mr. Johnson died November 10, 1902, and in his death Wisconsin lost
one of her best and most influential citizens, and the Norwegians of
me country, one of their ablest representatives. He is survived by
his wife, four sons, Frederick A., Carl A., Hobarc S., and Maurice I.,
all of Madison, Wis., and one daughter, Mrs. Ida (Johnson) Fisk, of
Champaign. 111. The four sons are all actively engaged in the man-
agement and operation of the extensive Gisholt Machine Company
plant.

J. B. Johnson, an enterprising farmer of the town of Fitchburg,
was born at Albion, Dane county, Wis., October 19, 1845. His par-
ents, John and Ellen Johnson, were both natives of Norway who came
to this country and county in 1845, settling on sixty acres in the town
of Albion. Later the family moved to Jackson county, this state,
where they stayed ten years. During the residence there the subject
of this sketch learned the blacksmiths' trade. After a few years at
the forge he went to Stoughton and engaged in the meat business
with his brother Julius. Two years later he bought a farm in Rut-
land and managed that for seven years. After a residence of a few
years in Janesville and Evansville he returned to Stoughton and for
another year was in business with his brother. When the opportunity
offered, Mr. Johnson went back to farming, buying one hundred acres
of the old Fox farm in the town of Fitchburg. After six years he ex-
changed this property for the farm he now occupies in section 10, in
the same town. He has one hundred and sixty acres devoted to gen-
eral farming. Politically Mr. Johnson is active as a Republican, and
has served a year on the town board and five years on the school
board. Mr. Johnson is affiliated with the Lutheran church. In May,
1876, he married Isabelle Johnson, a native of Norway, and by her
has had ten children. Emma (deceased), wife, of Henry Roberts;
Edith, wife of Frank Roberts: Oscar, Seymour, Melvin, Alma, Gladys,
Julian, Isabelle and Lewis. J. B. Johnson is a type of the Norwegian
farmer who has done much to exploit the resources of Dane county.
John D. Johnson is a prominent farmer of the town of York and a
son of a pioneer of Dane county, John Johnson. John Johnson was
born in Hudson county, N. Y. August 17, 1833, attended school in
New York and came with his parents to Dodge county and then to
30— iii

466 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Dane county in 1847. His father, Silas Johnson, was a native of
New York and was fifty-three years of age when he began farming
in Dane county. He lived until 1878 and his wife, Polly (Smith)
Johnson survived him ten years, reaching the great age of ninety-three
years. John Johnson taught school for a time in his early manhood
but soon began farming and purchased a farm in the town of York,
which is the present home of the Johnson family. He married Miss
Emily Dodge, who was born near Utica, N. Y. and five children were
born to them, of whom three are living. He was a Republican and
represented the district in the Assembly for a term and also served as
chairman and clerk of the town board. John D. Johnson was bom
July 5, 1863, in the town of York, attended the district school and a
private school and the Marshall Academy. He has always been a
■farmer and carries on a general farming business at the old home
farm. He gives particular attention to the breeding of a fine strain of
Durham cattle. Mr. Johnson is a Republican and active in local af-
fairs. For two years he served as treasurer of the town, for two
years more as chairman of the town board and was then reelected for
four years following. October 28, 1885, he married Miss Sarah Alice
Norton, who was born in York 'n 1865, daughter of Miles and Sarah
(King) Norton, of Vermont. They came to Dane county in 1847,
located in York township on a farm and there Mr. Norton died in
1900 and his wife in 1901. Of their five children, three are living.
Mr. Norton was prominent in the township and served as member of
the town board and as assessor. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were
born two children ; Eunice May and James King, who are now attend-
ing the Waterloo h'gh school. Mr. Johnson is a member of the
Waterloo Lodge, No. 63, F. and A. M. and a charter member of the
E. F. U.

John M. Johnson, the supervisor of Blooming Grove township,
is one of the representative citizens of this part of the county, where
he has passed his entire life and where he is numbered among the
successful agriculturists of the state. He was born on the old home-
stead farm, in Blooming Grove township, March 25, i860, and is the
son of Gilbert and Betsey (Hauge) Johnson, both natives of Norway.
They came from the fair Norseland to the United States, and the
father was one of the pioneers of Dane county. The subject of this
sketch was reared to the sturdy discipline of the farm and his educa-
tional advantages were confined to a somewhat irregular attendance
in the common schools of the day. He has never wavered in his
allegiance to> the great basic industry of agriculture, through the
medium of .which he has gained independence and distinctive prosper-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 467

ity, being the owner of a well improved farm of one hundred and
twenty acres. Mr. Johnson has been a loyal adherent to the Repub-
lican party from the time of attaining his majority, and he was elected
township treasurer in 1891, serving two terms, after which, in 1893,
he was elected township supervisor, of which position he has since
held through successive re-elections. His long tenure of the office
shows the confidence placed in him and the esteem in which he is
held by the people of the community in which he has lived from the
time of his birth. He and his wife are consistent members of the
Norwegian Lutheran church. December 25, 1888, Mr. Johnson was
united in marriage to* Miss Anna Datiaker, daughter of John and
Ingeborge (Larson) Dataker, of Stoughton, this county, and they have
five children, whose names, with respective dates of birth, are as fol-
lows: Ingebeld B., August 5, 1891; Ida Louisa, March 6, 1893;
Joseph Clarence, August 3, 1895; Bertha Sophia, September 5, 1898;
and Thomas K., May 29, 1904.

Jonas Johnson, a respected citizen of the village of McFarland,
was born in Meragiar, Norway, August 8, 1828. His parents were
Jens and Mary Johnson, natives of Norway. Jonas received a
limited education in Norway, the minister of their parish having
inculcated the idea into his parents' heads that because they be-
longed to the laboring class an education was not necessary. In
1850 he arrived in Milwaukee. For eleven months he was em-
ployed in a furniture factory, there working at turning bedposts,
Stoughton next offered him a livelihood for a few months, and then
the site of McFarland village offering possibilities for a blacksmith,
he and another man opened a shop. It soon became apparent that
blacksmithing was not a paying proposition, so the shop was re-
modeled and made into a carpenter shop. A feed mill has since
been added to the equipment, and a sixteen-horse power engine
runs the machinery of mill and shop. Mr. Johnson has all the work
he can do, the people of the village appreciating the fine repairing
he does. Though well along in years he keeps keenly in touch
with matters pertaining to the public welfare and is conversant
with all the current affairs of the state and nation. Before coming
to this country he served some time in the Norwegian militia.
Politically he is a Democrat, but has never aspired to office. He
is not affiliated with any religious organization. In the spring oi
1857 he was married but has no children. A number of years ago
he purchased eight acres of land on the village site, built himself
a home and has since lived there. He is well-known in the com-
munity and his genius as a mechanic is highly valued.

468 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Knudt A. Johnson is a merchant and well-known wool and
tobacco buyer of Morrisonville. His family originated in Norway,
whence his grandfather, John Johnson, came to Columbia county,
Wis., in 1848. Andrew Johnson, son of John Johnson, was born in
Norway, January 26, 1822, married Miss Julia Meland, also a native
of Norway, born in 1825 and they came to the town of Leeds in Co-
lumbia county, Wis. in 1846. They obtained a farm of government
land and owned about four hundred and fifty acres. Mr. Johnson
died in 1902 at Morrisonville and his wife in 1987. Their son, Knudt
A. Johnson, was born in Leeds township, October 8, 1848, attended
the home schools and engaged in fanning near Morrisonville, where
he owned three hundred and twenty i-xres of fine farm property.
This he sold and now owns a farm of one hundred acres. In 1885,
he bought the village plat of George O. Clinton;', R. R. Supt, and gave
away eleven lots to promote the interests of the new village. He
built the grain elevator and double corner store building and has also
'built other buildings which he has since sold. He rents his farm and
is extensively engaged in various business interests in the village,
[prominent among them being trade in wool and tobacco. Mr. John-
son is a member of the Republican party and has been chairman and
supervisor in the town of Windsor, February 5, 1883. he married
Miss Susie Whitelaw, who was born in Columbia county, daughter of
Robert Whitelaw and his wife, who were both natives of Scotland and
early residents of Columbia county. Mrs. Wh'telaw died in 1905 and
her husband is living, eighty-seven years of age. The family of Mr.
and Mrs. Johnson consists of six children ; Isabel, Grace, Arthur,
Jennie, Julia and Margaret. At present they reside in Portage, Wis.
on account of the superior educational advantages afforded by the
larger place. They are identified with the Portage Congregational
church.

Lewis Johnson, whose death occurred July 1, 1885, was num-
bered among the representative farmers and sterling citizens of
Blooming Grove township, while he was also numbered among the
honored pioneers of the state of Wisconsin. He was born and reared
in Norway, the date of his birth having been February 1, 1824, and
was a son of Ole and Gertie Johnson, who passed their entire lives
in their native land. Lewis Johnson immigrated to America and
settled in Dane county when this section was largely given over to
the primeval forest, and by his persevering energy and good judg-
ment he reclaimed a good farm in Blooming Grove township,
where he continued to reside until his death and where his young-
est son still resides. He is a man of sterling attributes of charac-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 469

ter, generous in his intercourse with his fellow men and ever ready
to aid those in affliction or distress. His circle of friends was
limited only by that of his acquaintances, and he commanded the
esteem of all with whom he came in contact. His widow is now
living retired in the pleasant village of McFarland, not far distant
from the old homestead. Mr. Johnson gave his political support
to the Republican party, and was a consistent and zealous member
of the Norwegian Lutheran church, as is also his widow. By his
first wife he became the father of seven children, of whom three are
living. His second marriage was solemnized in November, 1857,
when Miss Anna Aaroen became his wife, she being a daughter of
Ole and Mary (Olson) Aaroen, natives of Norway. The eight
children of the second marriage are all living, and their names and
dates of birth are as follows : Gilbert, December 19, 1858 ; Mary,
December 2, 1861 ; Ole, March 24, 1867 ; Martin, December 21,
1872; Severt, January 19, 1873; Anna, August 22, 1875; Luvian.
May 2, 1876 ; and Nels, March 29, 1878.

Lewis L. Johnson, one of Rutland's prosperous farmers, is a na-
tive of Sweden. Johannes and Bertha (Larson) Anderson, his
parents, were born in Dahlsland, Sweden, married there and lived
their entire lives in their native place. Six children were born to
them, of whom two daughters, Mary and Sophia, remained in Scandi-
navia and the others came to America. Andrew is a farmer near
Rutland ; Carl lives in Michigan and Tilda is the wife of John Fred-
erxkson of Madison. Lewis L. was born at Dahlsland, January 7,
1852, educated in the common schools and lived with his parents until
lie was seventeen years old, when he went to Norway and worked in a
sawmill for two years. The boy had always a longing for the sea and
shipped as a common sailor, from which he worked up to mate, chief
mate and finally master. He visited the East Indies and South Amer-
ica and crossed the equator eight times, was chief officer of four dif-
ferent ships and followed the sea for eighteen years. In 1877, he was
shipwrecked off the Danish coast. In 1883 he came to America,
located at Grand Haven, M5ch., and sailed the Great Lakes for five
years. He then came to Stoughton and worked one year in a wagon
shop, after which he commenced farming. For eight years he rented,
and finally purchased the fine farm of one hundred and fifty acres at
Rutland, upon which he now lives and has made many improvements.
Decmeber 31, 1878, he married Miss Josephine Thoreson, daughter of
Andres and Sigri (Larson) Thoreson, natives of Norway. The mar-
riage has been blessed with eleven children. Joseph, the oldest, was
giaduated from the veterinary college of Toronto, Can.; Sigri lives in

470 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Chicago; Olga, in Janesville and Louisa in Beloit; Minnie S. and
Paul G. are students at the Stoughton high school ; Lena, Bertha,
Leonard and William Oscar remain at home ; Axcel, the youngest,
died in infancy. Mr. Johnson is a Republican and has been a member
of the school board. The family attends tKe First Lutheran church of
Stoughton and is prominent in church activit'es.

Martin A. Johnson, cashier of the First National bank of Stough-
ton and member of the firm of Melaas-Johnson Co., of that city,
was born in the town of Dunkirk on May 26, 1862. He is a son of
Matthew and Olivia (Johnson) Johnson. His paternal grand-
father was John Johnson (Vea) and the maternal grandfather An-
drew Johnson (Tommerstigenj, both natives of Norway and pio-
neers of Dane county. The subject of this sketch received a pre-
paratory education in the schools of Stoughton and the Augsburg
Seminary of Minneapolis. His education was completed with a
course at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. In 1883. at the
death of his father, he succeeded him as a member of the firm of
Johnson & Melaas, clothiers, of Stoughton. From 1883 to 1891 he
acted as manager of the M. Johnson estate and for the ten years
following was president, treasurer and superintendent of the
Stoughton Wagon company, of which concern he is still a heavy
stockholder. In 1904 he was made cashier of the First National
bank of Stoughton. He is a third owner of the "Big Daylight
Store," operated by the Melaas-Johnson Company, successors to
the firm of Johnson & Melaas. This concern is one of the largest
as well as the best equipped in, the state. On June 3, 1884 Mr.
Johnson was united in marriage to Matilda C. Nelson, daughter of
William and Jorgina (Bekke) Nelson of Boscobel. Wis. One
daughter, Mildred W., is the issue of this union. Mrs. Johnson, a
highly esteemed and deservedly beloved woman, passed away Janu-
ary 6, 1906.

Michael Johnson, retired, for many years a prominent figure and
farmer of the town of Springdale, now living in Mount Horeb, was
born in Sogn in Bergen Stift, Norway, January 4, 1832. He received
a common school education and in 1853 came to Wisconsin, settling
first in the town of Windsor. Later he removed to the town o-f Vienna
and still later to the town of Springdale (1856) where he purchased one
hundred and forty-eight acres of land. For twenty-six years he held
the office of justice of the peace of the last named town; for five years
was its town treasurer and for nine more was chairman. He served
three years as chairman of the Dane county board of supervisors
and in 1873 was elected to represent his district in the lower house

BIOGRAPHICAL. 471

of the state, legislature, being- re-elected in 1874, 1875 an^ 1876.
When the Dane county asylnm at Verona was proposed he was one
of the commissioners appointed to see to its construction and in 1891
was nominated by the school-land commissioners to re-appraise the
low lands of Crawford county along the Mississippi river. In 1892
he was one of the sucessful presidential electors on trie Democratic
ticket, casting his vote for Grover Cleveland. On the second day ot
October, 1893, the president appointed him to be deputy revenue
collector of the second district of Wisconsin, which position he held
until the last day of January, 1900. In April, 1853, Mr. Johnson was
married to J one Nelson Hone, who died in Dane county in June,
1854. In May, 1856, he was united in marriage to Betsey Samp-
son, who passed away April 19, 1864 leaving two children. His
third marriage occurred on March 3, 1865, to Betsey T. Lee,
and to this union were born four daughters and two sons, and
all but one of the children are now married. Mr. Jonson is a mem-
ber of the Norwegian Lutheran church and for the past twelve years
has represented the congregation of Springdale in the Norwegian
Lutheran synod. He was twice elected by the synod as a member of
the church council and served in that capacity six years. In March,
1893, he sold his farm and built the residence in Mount Horeb which
is now his home.

Nels Johnson, of Westport, is a native of Norway, born June 15,
1851. His father, Johannes Nelson, and his mother, Ingeborg Mary
(Peterson) Nelson, were also born in Norway, the former in 181 1 and
the latter in 1810. The parents came to Windon, Minn., in 1873, anc*
there lived with a son, J. J. Johnson, and there both died, he in 1893
and she in 1881. They had twelve children of whom five are living.
Mr. Nelson was, in Norway, engaged in the lumber business. Mr.
Johnson was educated in Norway, and came to Stoughton, June 2,
1870, when he was nineteen years of age ; he worked on a farm for
•eleven years and then came to Madison, where he worked for Halle
Steensland for four years. In 1884 he became a resident of Westport,
bought a farm of eighty acres, which he has improved, and on which,
in 1904, he built a fine residence. He has been the creator of his own
prosperity, and has, by his integrity and public spirit, won the respect
of the community in which he lives. For fourteen years he has held
the office of school clerk and for four years that of supervisor, and is
occupying those positions at the present time. He and his family are
members of the Lutheran church, and he is superintendent of the
Sunday school of Rev. T. H. Eggen's congregation at Burke, beside
having held for fifteen years a private Sunday school in his own home.

472 HISTORY OF DANTE COUNTY.

He was married in 1879, to Miss Julia Haldorson, born in
Norway, July n, 1855, daughter of Haldor Shervim Syverson and his
wife Gjoren (Severson) Syverson, natives of Norway, where Mr.
Syverson still resides, his wife having died in 1899. To the subject
of this sketch and his wife have been born nine children, John Henry,
born May 15, 1880; Josephine Maria, born May 10, 1882; Edward
Benjamin, born February 27, 1884; Martin Lewis, born March 3,
1886; and died December 16, 1903; Alexander Luveen, born August
2, 1888; Emma Amanda, born May 13, 1891 ; Mabel Helena, born Au-
gust 22, 1893; Neman Howard, born May 11, i8q6 and died February
17, 1897; Nella Elvine, born March 5, 1898.

Nels Johnson, owner of a farm of one hundred and ninety acres
in the town of Vienna, was brought to Wisconsin by his parents,
when he was a year old. His home has been in Vienna ever since
and he is well-known in the community. Peter Johnson, his father,
was born in Norway, March 28, 1814, was there married to Mrs.
Gertrude Husebo Rognehong, widow of Nels Rognehong. Mr. and
Mrs. Johnson came to the United States in 1852 and purchased a farm
in Vienna township which became their permanent home and is still
owned by their son Nels. Six of the family of eight children are
living. They attended the Norway Grove Lutheran church but
Nels Johnson and his family are members of the First Lutheran
church of De Forest. Nels Johnson was born September 27, 1851,
attended the home schools and the Marshall Academy and early en-
gaged in farming. He is interested in stock-raising, particularly
short-horned cattle and Poland China hogs. An adherent of the
Republican party, Mr. Johnson has always been active in the in-
terests of the community and has served it in many different capa-
cities; as supervisor, township clerk, chairman, etc. In 1885 and
1895 he officiated as census-taker and is at present chairman of the
town board. In 1876, he married Miss Johanna Erickson, who was
born in Leeds township, Columbia county, Wis., daughter of
Ambion and Jorend Erickson. early settlers of Leeds, which is
their present home. Mrs. Johnson died in 1890 in Vienna, leaving
two sons Albert and Herman, and one daughter, Gertie. Two
sons and two daughters, children of Mrs. Johnson's first marriage,
died. In 1893, Mr. Johnson married Miss Anna Nelson, daughter
of Henry and Johanna Hermanson. Three children were born to
them: Josevius, Norman (deceased), and Palmer.

N. P. Johnson is a prominent farmer of Vienna township and a
son of Peter Johnson, of Dane county. With his parents N. P. John-
son came to the United States in 1852 and lived in the town of Vienna.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 473

He was born in Norway, August 22, 1840, attended school in Norway
and also in Vienna and early engaged in farming. His farm is a fine
property of two hundred and ninety-seven acres, on which Mr. John-
son has made almost all the improvements and carries on a general
farming business. He raises short-horned cattle, and Poland China
hogs, which he introduced into the locality. Considerable tobacco is
also raised upon the farm. Mr. Johnson is active in political affairs
and allied with the Republican party. For many years he served the
town as supervisor and has been chairman of the board and assessor.
June 15, 1870, he married Miss Julia Erickson, who was born in Nor-
way, December 14, 1848, daughter of Herman and Susan (Larson)
Erickson, who came to Vienna from Norway in 1854 and" there spent
the residue of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have had six chil-
dren,— Gertrude, the oldest, was born in 1871 and died in 1878; Sina
Elina is the oldest living daughter ; Peter J., the oldest son, was edu-
cated at Mount Horeb Academy, St. Olaf's College of Northfield,
Minn., the United Church Seminary of St Paul, Minn., and is now a
minister of the Lutheran church at Blanchardville, Wis. ; Henry Ben-
nett is a successful farmer; Gilbert L. is also engaged in farming;
Edward is the youngest son. Mrs. Johnson died in SeptemberV i886r
and in 1888. Mr. Johnson married Miss Rande Nelson, also a native
of Norway, born in 1851. Three children blessed the marriage;
Joseph, Arthur Norman and Anna. The family are all well-educated
and have nearly all been graduated from the De Forest high school.
They are prominent in the Norway Grove Lutheran church. Mr.
Johnson has held the office of director in the Arlington Farmers' In-
surance Co. for thirty years.

Peter Johnson, deceased, was one of those noble sons of a foreign
land who have done so much and contributed so effectually to the
material advancement of their adopted country, America. Mr.
Johnson was born in the province of Bergen, Norway, on May 11,
1846, and died at McFarland. Dane county, Wis., in 1903. He
was one of seven children born to John and Betsy Johnson, both
natives of Norway, and of these seven children four are now living.
Lewis, the elder, resides in the town of Dunn ; Andrew is a resident
of the town of Rutland ; Anna is the wife of a Mr. Olson in the town
of Cottage Grove, and Ole resides in South Dakota. The Johnson
family came to America about the year 1860, end settled in the
town of Dunn, Dane county, where the fathe- worked as a farm
hand for a short time and then purchased forty acres of land, upon
which the family lived until the fathers death. Peter Johnson re-
ceived his English education in the district schools of the town of

474 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Dunn, and remained at home until he was about twenty-five years
old, when he purchased sixty acres of land in Dunn and began gen-
eral farming. Later he added one hundred acres more to the home-
stead and resided thereon until 1903, when he rented the farm and
purchased a comfortable home in McFarland, contemplating a life
of retirement. But his hopes were shattered, as he was stricken
with death twelve days after taking up his residence in the village.
He was a Republican in politics, a Norwegian Lutheran in his re-
ligious faith, and in character was a man of much determination,
well known and highly respected throughout the neighborhood in
which he lived. The date of his marriage was December 25, 1871,
the day of his choice being Mrs. Julia ( Knudtson) Thompson, born
October 7, 1846, daughter of Ole and Guneld (Halverson) Knudt-
son of the town of Dunn, and the widow of Thomas Thompson, de-
ceased. By her first marriage Mrs. Johnson became the mother ot
one child, Triphena Matilda, who is deceased, and of her second
marriage there were born four children : — Nellie Bertina, who is
the wife of Andrew Johnson, of Blooming Grove ; Clara Sophia, the
wife of Oscar Vick, of Dunn ; Thenora Gurena, who resides with
her mother, and John O., deceased. The parents of Mrs. Johnson
came to Dane county in 1843 and first settled in the town of Pleas-
ant Springs, where Mrs. Johnson was born. Her father first
bought a small tract of government land, upon which the family re-
sided for four or five years, when he sold it and moved to Dunn.
In the last named town he bought forty acres of land and added
thereto from time to time until his farm comprised one hundred
and twenty-six acres. Mr. and Mrs. Knudtson were the parents
of three children : Mrs. Brickt Dyreson, of the town of Dunn ; Mrs.
Johnson, to whom this memoir more particularly refers, and Gwena,
who married a Mr. Brickson and is now deceased. The father sold
his farm in the late years of his life, and he and his estimable wife
made their home until death with their son-in-law, Brickt Dyreson.
Sure Johnson, a retired farmer of the village of McFarland, was
born in Lister, Norway, November 28, 1838. He was the oldest son
of John and Carrie (Jenson) Johnson, natives of Norway. Of the
six children of John Johnson, Mrs. Erick Lewis of the town of Dunn,
and the subject of this sketch are the only survivors. In 1855 Sure
came directly to- Stoughton from) Norway. The following five years
were spent in the woods of northern Wisconsin. At the time all pro-
visions had to be hauled from Madison by team!, and Mr. Johnson tells
many interesting tales of his trips. In Bloominc; Grove and Cottage
Grove he worked land on shares for two years, and then in 1864, bought

BIOGRAPHICAL 475

one hundred and seventeen acres in the town of Dunn. When the vil-
lage of McFarland was incorporated, later, part of the farm was in-
cluded in its limits and was platted and sold in lots and he still owns
the remainder. His political affiliations are with the Republican
party, and on its tickets he has been elected at different times super-
visor and town treasurer. In 1880 and 1900 he was census enumera-
tor and has held different positions as an employe in both houses of
the state legislature. Of late years he has been urged by his many
friends to accept certain offices but has steadily declined to stand for
•election. For nearly twenty years he has been treasurer of the Luth-
eran church, with which society he worships; during that time he has
helped build three churches and of all except the last one paid off the
debts. In June, 1861, he married Betsey, daughter of Andrew and
Martha (Everson) Anderson, natives of Norway. Mrs. Johnson was
born in Norway on November 11, 1830, and received her education
in the schools of that country. She died November 11, 1905.
Her death was very sudden and was a severe shock to the
family and her many friends in the community where she had spent
nearly all her life. To Sure and Betsey Johnson have been born
seven children, — Lena S., born May 4, 1862, married Aaren Lurios,
and lives near Stoughton; John S., born September 30, 1863, married
Louisa Lewis, and is now serving as postmaster of McFarland; Ole
Andrew, born July 13, 1865, died May 25, 186? ; Mary S. born De-
cember 17, 1866, now Mrs. William Crooks of Belleville, Wis. ;
Christine, born July 26, 1868, now a milkner of McFarland ; Soverina,
born June 18, 1870. lives at home; and Ellen S. born October 7, 1873
a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and now principal of a
graded school in Waukesha county.

Torkel Johnson is one of the prosperous and honored farmers of
Dane county, being the owner of a fine property, lying in section 36
Blooming Grove township, the area of the estate being one hundred
and twelve acres and all being in one body. Mr. Johnson was born
in Sogen, in the province oT Bergen, Norway, October 11, 1830, and is
a son of Johans and Jarond Johnson, who passed their entire lives in
their native land. Torkel Johnson received limited educational ad-
vantages in his youth and earlv learned the necessity and value of
honest labor. He was a coast sailor in the fair norseland until 1857,
when he determined to seek his fortunes in America. He arrived in
New York city in due course of time, and his adventurous spirit soon
led him to proceed still farther to the west and to learn the secrets of
life on the frontier. He crossed the plains to California, making the
long and tedious trip in company with a man named Charles Moore

476 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

and taking a number of horses, which they sold at good prices after
reaching their destination. Mr. Johnson then found employment in
the gold mines, remaining in California for some time. He made ihe
return trip by way of Aspinwall, United States of Colombia, from
which point he crossed the isthmus of Panama and took passage on a
steamer for New York, the entire trip consuming about two months.
He endured many hardships on the home journey, as had he also in
crossing the plains, where there was at all times imminent danger of
attack on the part of the Indians, while other trials and deprivations
made the trip arduous in the extreme. Soon after his return from
California Mr. Johnson located in Vernon county, Wisconsin, where
he remained two years, at the expiration of which he removed to Dane
county, where he has since made his home. Here he purchased his
present farm of one hundred and twelve acres, in Blooming Grove
township, while later he purchased the sixty acres, adjoining, in Cot-
tage Grove township. Of the latter tract he disposed several years
ago, realizing a good profit on the transaction, having made excellent
improvements on the property in the meanwhile. He has devoted
himself faithfully and energetically to the development and improve-
ment of his farm and has made the same one of the fine places of the
county, while his labors have brought to him the boon of independence.
He is one of the thrifty and progressive farmers of this section of the
state, is a man of strong personality and marked intellectuality, and is
held in high regard in the community which has been his home for so
many years. In 1900 he visited his native land, renewing the associa-
tions of his childhood and youth and finding much satisfaction in the
trip, but having no desire to take up permanent abode there, after Its
long and fruitful experience in the American republic. Mr. Johnson
is a Democrat in his political allegiance, but has never cared to take
active part in political affairs. He and his family hold membership in
the Norwegian Lutheran church. On May 17, 1863, Mr. Johnson
was united in marriage to Miss Betsey N. Sime, a daughter of Nels T.
and Mary Sime, of Cottage Grove township. Of the seven children
all are living except the first born, Anna Maria, who was "born in 1866
and died in infancy. John N., born May 8, 1867, is a foreman in a
manufacturing concern in Stoughton this county. He married Miss
Bertha Olson, of that place, and they have three chilrden. Nels M.
was born August 30, 1869, and is associated in the management of his
father's farm. Andrew C, who was born December 27, 1871, mar-
ried Miss Nellie Johnson, and they have five children. George T.„
who was born March 17, 1874, resides on a farm near the old home-
stead. He married Miss Amelia Ottum of McFarland, and they have

BIOGRAPHICAL. 477

two children. Maria H., born October 24, 1876, is the wife of Knute
Anderson and they reside on the home farm of her father; they have
two children. Alfred E., born June 17, 1880, married Miss Emma
Dorn and resides in the city of Madison, where he is employed in the
works of the Gisholt Machine Company.

Burr W. Jones, of the law firm of Jones & Schubring, and one of
the leading attorneys of Madison, was born in Evansville, Rock
county. March 9, 1846. He is the son of William and Sarah (Pren-
tice) Jones, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of
New York. His father died in 1855 and his mother contracted a
second marriage with Mr. Levi Leonard, one of the early settlers
of Rock county. There were but two children in the family, the
subject of this sketch and one sister who married A. J. Pettigrew,
and is deceased. Mr. Jones' early life did not differ greatly from
the life of other farmer boys of the period, and his ambitions in the
direction of his later career were first stirred while attending the
Evansville Seminary, and he then decided to obtain a collegiate
education and to enter professional life. That was before the days
of luxury in Wisconsin and ambitious boys who desired the advan-
tages of a higher education found themselves under the necessity
of helping themselves through college, and Mr. Jones was twenty-
five years of age when he was graduated from the law school, hav-
ing been delayed, like so many students of that time, by staying out
a number of terms to teach school. He graduated from the class!
cal department of the university the year previous, 1870, and had
for classmates, several men who have attained more than ordinary
eminence, in the profession of the law. After finishing his law
course, Mr. Jones entered the office of Colonel Vilas for a short
time, but within the year opened an office of his own in Portage.
He soon after returned to Madison and entered the office of Judge
Alden S. Sanborn, one of the pioneer lawyers of Wisconsin. This
association lasted only a short time and afterward Mr. Jones prac-
tice alone until 1874; at that date he formed a partnership with
Gen. A. C. Parkinson and later one with F. J. Lamb. He subse-
quently practiced alone for some time, until forming his connection
with Judge E. Ray Stevens which continued until the appointment
of Mr. Stevens to the bench. Mr. Jones has not entered very
largely into political life, his political affiliations with the Demo-
cratic party in a state largely Republican, as well as his own tastes,
which are those of a scholarly gentleman, have probably combined
to exclude him from positions in national political affairs which he
is eminently fitted to occupy. In 1872, at the very beginning of

478 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

his legal career, he was elected district attorney on the Democratic-
ticket and re-elected in 1874. In 1882, he was elected to congress
from what was then the third' district, a Republican stronghold
which was at the time indulging in a party conflict. During his
two years of service he demonstrated his ability to fill the position,
but a union of the divided Republican forces prevented his return
and substituted Robert M. La Follette, although the fact that he
ran far ahead of his ticket spoke for itself of his congressional rec-
ord. In 1891, he was elected city attorney and held the office for-
some time and was also chairman of the state tax commission for
1897-98. He has served his own party as chairman of the state
Democratic convention in 1892 and as delegate to the national
Democratic convention in 1896, and has repeatedely declined to act
upon other similar occasions. He is an eloquent speaker and his.
services have always been in demand above his power to accept
for campaign work and other occasions when the persuasive voice
of the orator is needful. Mr. Jones has chosen to place the empha-
sis of his legal work along two lines, — primarily, upon the legiti-
mate work of the attorney, and the laurels won in his legal battles
when the ablest counsel of the northwest have been arrayed
against him, have been fairly obtained and well-deserved, for his
learning is extensive and accurate, his judgment in legal matters,
nearly infallable and his courtesy, under the most trying of circum-
stances, unfailing; secondly, — upon his work as a member of the
faculty of the law school, which position, as lecturer on Domestic
Relations, on the law of Evidence and on Corporations, he has filled
most acceptable for more than twenty years In this connection
he has produced a three-volumle work on Evidence which is a stand-
ard authority. As a man of many interests, Mr. Jones is one of the
leaders of Madison and has identified himself with the city in many
ways looking toward the advancement and prosperity of the com-
munity in which he ranks among the twenty-five heaviest tax-pay-
ers. His literary tastes are those of the student, and he frequently
appears upon the programs of the Madison Literary Club, of which
he is a member; and he is one of the most prominent members of
his profession, in the city, considered socially. Mr. Jones was mar-
ried December 4, 1873, to Miss Olive Hoyt, the daughter of L. W.
Hoyt, — one of the early settlers of Dane county, and the sister of
Frank W. Hoyt. — a leading banker of the city. She was born in
Milwaukee but reared in Madison. One child, Marion B., was born
to them. Mrs. Jones was an ideal hostess, and will be especially
remembered in this respect by the young men of the law depart

BIOGRAPHICAL. 479

merit to whom her hospitality was frequently and delightfully ten-
dered; she was a charter member of the Woman's Club, was inter-
ested in all its work and filled for a time the chair of the presiding
officer ; she was an active participant in the social life oi the city
and her sudden death, April 19, 1906, was a shock to the whole com-
munity.

Elijah Fred Jones hai been the owner of a farm in Bristol town-
ship for a number of years. The family is of Welsh origin and
Nathaniel Jones, grandfather of Elijah, came from Wales to Utica,
N. Y.j in 1844. Later he came to Wisconsin and resided in Racine
and finally upon a farm near Watertown. Richard Jones, son of
Nathaniel, was born in Montgomeryshire, Wales, November 22,
1828, came with his father to Utica, and to Wisconsin in 1846. For
a time he worked out near Janesville and, upon obtaining one hun-
dred and sixty acres of farm land from the government, he located
in Windsor. This farm was enlarged and improved in the course
of years until Mr. Jones owned five hundred and forty- four acres,
much of it improved by his own labor and care. Mrs. Richard
Jones was Jane E. Caradine, who was also a native of Montgomery-
shire, Wales, where she was born May 13, 1836. Her father, John
Caradine, came to Wisconsin in 1846 and owned a large farm near
Albany, W's. He lived there to the great age of ninety-two years.
His wife died in Wales. Elijah F., son of Richard Jones, was born
in Windsor, Dane county. Wis., July 19, 1861, attended the home
schools and the Sun Prairie graded school and graduated from the
Northwestern Busmess college in 1886. Farming always engaged
his interests and he accordingly pursued a course of study at the
agricultural college of the University of Wisconsin. He owns a
well-equipped farm of one hundred and twenty -seven acres in the
town of Bristol, turning his attention especially to dairy farming
and stock raising. February 17, 1897, he married Miss Mabel Tay-
lor, who was born in Bristol January 27, 1872, daughter of James
Taylor, a we11-urown resident of Bristol, a sketch of whose life
appears elsewhere. Mr. Jones is a Republican in political sympa-
thy. Besides Irs other business interests he is secretary of the
Ideal Cream erv Co . of Windsor. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are both
identified with the Methodist Episcopal church.

Jonathan Jore? Congregational preacher and farmer of the vil-
lage of Mazomanie, was born in Carmarthen, South Wales, April 3,
1833. H:s pannes were Rev. Dan'el and Ann (Thomas) Jones of
Carmarthen, where the father was a Congregational preacher. Daniel

480 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Jones was the father of eight children, of whom Jonathan was the
fourth, and is the only survivor in America. The others were John,
Thomas, Mary, Benjamin, Daniel, Elizabeth and David. Jonathan
Jones started life for himself at the age of seventeen. In 185 1 he
started for America. The voyage took twenty-four days, and after
landing in New York, Mr. Jones went first to a small town called
Minersville, near Pottsville, Pa. In 1854 he entered Western Re-
serve University, then situated at Hudson, Ohio, having had his
preparation in the subscription schools of the old country. He was
graduated in 1858 and the following year came to Mazomanie to
teach in an institution which failed before he reached there. For a
year he taught a private ^school and then went into the drug business.
This business kept him occupied until he sold out in 1884. At present
he is managing a large farm of four hundred and forty acres near
Dodgeville, devoting his attention more especially to the dairy business.
Politically Mr. Jones is a Republican, but has never aspired to office,
though he has worked hard for and always voted that ticket. For
the past twenty years he has preached in the Congregational churches
of Spring Green and Wyoming and all his life has been active in che
work of the Congregational church. His grandfather, after whom
he is named, preached for over sixty years in the church in the village
where the subject of this sketch was born. Mr. Jones has been twice
married; his first marriage occurred in 1861 to Miss Sarah Ella South-
erland, of Bernly, England, who died February 14,' 1884. On April
7, 1886 he was united in marriage to Ellen M., daughter of William
and Maria (Benedict) Tredeau, of Pittsfield, Mass. Mr. Tredeau
was a native of France, and his wife of Pittsfield, where they both
died. Mr. Jones has had no children by either marriage.

Thomas Jones, a wealthy farmer and dealer in real estate in
Mount Vernon, is of Welsh descent. His birthplace was Wales and
the date June 20, 1838. His parents, John and Jeanette (Williams)
Jones, both horn in Wales, came to the United States in 1841, landing
in Pennsylvania. From there they moved to Beloit, W'is., and thence
to Wiota, where they remained four years. Subsequently after four
years more spent in farming in the town of Primrose, they settled in
Mount Vernon where for many years the father owned and operated
a hotel. After closing out his business interests he lived a retired
life until his death about 1890. His widow died some ton years later.
Thomas Jones received what education the schools of Mount Vernon
afforded. About the time of the Civil War he made a trip through
the western states of the country, remaining away about one year.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 481

On his return he became interested in real estate and since that time
has been engaged in dealing in it as a diversion from the farm life.
Today he is the wealthiest man of his town and pays taxes on more
real estate than any other citizen of the vicinity. Politically he is a
Republican, but although he is ever ready to lend his influence, finan-
cial or otherwise, for the advancement or success of the tenets of his
party, he has never aspired to office. In religious matters his con-
victions are with the Free-will Baptist society. Mr. Jones never mar-
ried. Although not a native of the country he was one of its earliest
settlers, and remembers Madison when it was nothing more than a
cluster of log buildings, and Indians and wild animals roamed the
woods which have now given place to building lots and streets. Of
his father's family of four sons and two daughters there is but one sur-
vivor besides himself, — a sister, Mary, the widow of Eldred Hale.
Mrs. Hale, with her four children, Ada, Laura, Thomas and William,
makes her home in Mount Vernon.

Herman O. Jonas, deputy United States marshal, with head-
quarters in the Federal building at Madison, is a native of Dane
county, where he was born September 23, 1864. He was a son of
August Carl and Wilhelmina Dorothy Rica (Gundlach) Jonas, both
natives of Germany. The father, who wao born March 31, 1823, came
to the United States in 1853 an^ to Madison in 1855, was a merchant
tailor. The maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, who
was a soldier in the body guard of Emperor William, came to this
country in 1856, after the death of his wife, settling on a farm near
Arlington, Columbia county. Herman O. was the fourth of the five
boys in the family. Dr. A. F. Jonas, probably the most renowned sur-
geon west of the Mississippi river, is professor of clinical surgery at
the Omaha Medical college. He was the founder of the Xew Metho-
dist hospital at Omaha. His wife, who died in 1895, was Miss Metha
Helfritz of St. Annsgar, la., and was herself a medical practictioner.
At one time she was professor of Latin in the University of Iowa.
The other two brothers are Frank W. and Benjamin G. who have been
engaged in the dry goods business in Madison since 1883. After com-
pleting his educat'on, which was such as the schools of Madison af-
forded, Herman O. Jonas went into the mercantile business. Twelve
years he was in Chicago in a wholesale concern and in 1893 returned
to Madison. On July 2, 1900, he was appointed deputy United States
marshal for the western district of Wisconsin and has efficiently filled
the position since that time. He was united in marriage on August
26, 1900, to Miss Clara E. Edwin of Verona, Dane county. She was
the daughter of L: P. and Ella (Malone) Edwin of Verona, where
31— iii

482 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Mr. Edwin is superintendent of the county poor farm and asylum.
Mrs. Jonas died August 17, 1904, at the age of twenty-nine. She was
a member of Christ Presbyterian church, of the Eastern Star, of which
organizaton she was an officer, and a graduate of the Whitewater nor-
mal school. Before her marriage she had been a teacher and for a
time acted as private secretary to her father. She was deeply inter-
ested in Sunday school work, and devoted much time to her class.
She was a most estimable woman and her loss was deeply felt by all
her friends. Mr. Jonas is a member of the Free and Accepted
Masons, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and of the
Woodmen of the World. He is a man of fine physique, excellent car-
riage and a genial manner which makes him many friends.

John C. Kading, who is one of the representative farmers of
Cross Plains township, is a worthy scion in the second generation of
one of the sterling pioneer families of Dane county. He was born in
Springfield township, this county, October 15, 1858, and is a son of
John and Mary (Windland) Kading, both of whom were born in Meck-
lenburg, Germany, where they were reared to maturity. Both came to
America and here their marriage was solemnized. They came to
Dane county about 1855, and for several years the father worked by
the day, in that township and also in Berry and Springfield townships.
In 1868 he removed with his family to Cross Plains township, pur-
chasing one hundred and twenty acres of partially improved land, in
section 6, and here passing the remainder of his life. He was a Dem-
ocrat in his political adherence and was a worthy and valuable citi-
zen. He was a member of the Lutheran church, as is also his widow,
who now resides in the village of Black Earth, this county. Of the
fourteen children the names of those living are as follows : August H.
John C, Christian C, Mary, Emma L., William F., Gustave H..
Charles W. and Anton A. John C. Kading, the immediate subject
of this sketch, was reared to the sturdy discipline of the farm and wras
afforded the advantages of the public schools of his native county.
For seven years after the death of his father he continued in charge of
the home farm, and in 1888 he purchased the place on which he now
lives, in section 6, Cross Plains township, not far distant from the old
homestead. At one time he owned two hundred and seventy acres,
but he has disposed of all but one hundred and fifty acres, which he
finds sufficient to demand the maximum efforts he can put forth and
adequate to render good financial returns. The farm is under a high
state of cultivation, is improved with good buildings and is one of the
model places of this part of the county, being devoted to general agri-
culture and dairying. Mr. Kading takes a loyal interest in all that

BIOGRAPHICAL. 483

makes for the wellbeing of the community but is free from all ambi-
tion for public office and is independent in political attitude. He and
his wife are members of the Lutheran church. In June, 1888, Mr. Kad-
ing was united in marriage to Miss Lena Miller, a daughter of Joachim
and Johanna (Weiss) Miller, who were born in Mecklenburg, Ger-
many, whence they came to the United States about 1855, being num-
bered among the pioneers of Dane county. Mr. and Mrs. Kading
have four children: Johanna M., Elma A., Sylvia E., and Leslie J.

A. J. Kaiser, of Marshall, was born in Lake Mills, Jefferson
county, March 11, 1868. His parents were Carl Kaiser, born in
1829, and Henriettta (Gray) Kaiser, born in 1838, both natives of
Germany. They came to Wisconsin and settled in Jefferson
county in 1856 ; after living there for twelve years, they came to
Medina township, Dane' county, and located on a farm south of
Marshall, where, in 1876, Mr. Kaiser died. His wife survived him
many years, dying in the village of Marshall, in 1902. They had
ten children, of whom nine are living. In politics Mr. Kaiser was
a Republican, and served in the Civil War, enlisting as a private
in Company K, Third Wisconsin Cavalry in 1861. He took part
in a number of important engagements, and was discharged in
1864, on account of injuries which he received from his horse fall-
ing upon him, and from the effects of which he finally died. Mr.
Kaiser's maternal grandfather also served in the war ; he enlisted
in Company K, Third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, in 1864 and
remained in service until the close of the war. He came to Jef-
ferson county in the same year with Mr. Kaiser (1856) and re-
turned to Germany in 1877 where he died in 1885 ; his wife also died
in Germany. A. J. Kaiser was educated at Marshall, finishing
his education at the free high school, under Prof. Win. Hodge.
He began his life as a clerk, serving two years in that capacity, first
in Marshall and then in Madison, and then in company with his
brother, G. L. Kaiser, engaged in the agricultural implement busi-
ness ; in 1898 he entered the general mercantile business, which he
carries on his own building. In politics he is a Republican, and
he is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church and he be-
longs to the E. F. U. and M. W. A. He is reckoned among the
successful business men of his community. On July 11, 1893, he
was united in marriage to Miss Grace Irene Cowan, who was born
in Columbia county, April 10. 1876. She is the daughter of
Horatio Cowan, born in Massachusetts, May 2 1835, and Cecelia
( Xarracong) Cowan born in Oneida county, N. Y.. June 10. 1844.
They have three children, Keith Horatio, born October 29, 1894; Gor-

484 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

•don August, born July 27, 185)7; Cathryn Grace, born March 9,
1901. Mrs. Kaiser is of Scotch ancestry. Nelson Cowan, a native
of Scotland, in company with two brothers, came to the United
States and settled in Massachusetts, where he married Miss Alida
Blue. They made that state their residence until their death.
Their son, Horatio, father of Mrs. Kaiser, came to Columbia
county, Wis., about 1856, and to Marshall in 1891 ; he was a shoe-
maker by trade, and was in business in Lodi for many years. He
was a successful business man. a Republican and a member of the
fraternity of Free Masons. His wife belonged to the Presbyterian
church. Mr. Cowan died in Marshall in 1892. Mrs. Kaiser's ma-
ternal grandfather, Jonas Narracong, was a native of New York
state. He was born in 1846, came to Jefferson county, Wis., in
1846, and settled at Watertown ; he helped to build the mill there
and operated it for five years. From Watertown he went to Lodi,
in 1854, and followed his business there for many years. His last
move was to Black River Falls where he died. His wife was
Sallie Ann Hunt, who died in Lodi. They had four children, all
living. The father of Jonas Narracong was David Narracong, a
native of New York. He was also a miller ; he came to Lodi in
1854, and died in Sauk county.

Gustavus L. Kaiser, son of Carl Kaiser, was born in Lake Mills,
Jefferson county. July 21, 1859. His earliest instruction was re-
ceived in the common schools of Lake Mills ; he afterward attended
the Marshall academy and the Waterloo high school. His busi-
ness life began at Lake Mills, where he was engaged in the selling
of agricultural implements for Charles A. Kuhl. In 1888, he be-
gan in the same business for himself, which he has conducted with
marked success. He owns his home in Marshall with two acres
of land about it, and the buildings in which he carries on his busi-
ness. In politics he is a Republican, and has held the offices of
supervisor of Medina township and as a member of the Medina
high school board for three years ; he has also acted as health of-
ficer for two years. He and his wife attend and support the
Methodist Episcopal church. He married, October 23, 1884, Miss
Laura X. Parsons, who was born in 1862 in the town ot Medina.
She is the daughter of William K. and Anna (Hart) Parsons; he is
a native of Pennsylvania and his wife of England. They settled
in Marshall, where Mrs. Parsons died in 1883, and where Mr. Par-
sons still makes his home. Mr. and Mrs. Kaiser have one son.
Carl William, born November 17. 1885, who is now a student at
the University of Wisconsin.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 485

George Kalbfleisch has a well improved and most beautifully
situated farm of forty acres, in Blooming Grove township, the place
being one of those valuable tracts which touch the shores of Lake Mo-
nona and lying not far distant from the beautiful capital city of the
state. The subject of this sketch has been a resident of Dane county
for half a century, and is thus entitled to be designated as a pioneer.
He has gained a competency through his own energy and application
in the years past, and is now living practically retired, as he is near-
ihg the age of four score years. Mr. Kalbfleisch is a native of Ger-
many, having been born in the province of Hessen, Germany, March
2, 1828, and being a son of Johann and Elizabeth (Trivet) Kialbfleisch,
both of whom passed their entire lives in Hessen, the father having
been a man of prominence and influence in the community and having
served as mayor of his home village for twelve years. The subject
of this review was afforded the advantages of the excellent schools
of bis native land. He was reared to' manhood in his fatherland,
where he remained until he had attained to the age of twenty-seven
years, when he decided tO' immigrate to America, starting forth with
no knowledge of the English language and with but a mere pittance
in the way of money. He reached the shores of the new world in
the year 1855, working on shipboard to defray the expenses of his
passage. He bravely faced the problem which confronted him upon
his arrival in the United States and a few months later he was mar-
ried. This action is one which he considers as one of the wisest ever
charged to his credit, for he gained the affectionate co-operation of a
loyal and able companion, whose presence has cheered and sustained
him during the period of more than half a century which has indi-
cated their wedded life. Mr. Kalbfleish's first employment after his
arrival was that of a common laborer, and he thus continued to apply
himself for three years, in the meanwhile gaining a knowledge of the
language of the country and the methods and manners of the people.
He took up his residence in Dane county, Wisconsin, in the same year
which marked his arrival in America, and after three years of strenu-
ous labor and most careful economy and frugality he was enabled to
purchase a home in Madison, then a mere village. This home was lo-
cated in what is now the sixth ward of the city. A few years later he
removed the original dwelling from the lot and erected a new and com-
fortable residence, which continued to be his home until 1867, when
he traded the place for the farm where he now lives. He is now one
of the substantial citizens of the county and all that is represented in
his material success has been gained entirely through his own efforts
and the assistance of his faithful wife. They are possessed of the most

486 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

sterling characteristics, and have the high regard of all who know
them. Mr. Kalbfleisch is a man of strong character, has always been
temperate and industrious and has been a zealous supporter of relig-
ious work and all good objects. He and his wife are devoted mem-
bers of the German Lutheran church, and he has assisted in erecting
three church edifices, having donated hundreds of dollars in the sup-
port of religious and other worthy causes. In politics he is a stanch
adherent of the Democratic party, but he has never sought or held
public office. November 18, 1855, was solemnized the marriage of
Mr. Kalbfleisch to Miss Mary Elizabeth Long, daughter of George
and Elizabeth Long, who were born in Germany, as was also the daugh-
ter. Of the five children of this union the following data are prop-
erly entered:, Barbara, born November 4, 1856, is the wife of Charles
Hemmer, a successful grocer of Milwaukee; George, born December
29, 1862, is married and is a prosperous farmer of Blooming Grove
township, residing near the parental homestead; Henry, who was born
in 1865, was found dead on the ice on Lake Monona, March 21, 1901,
the presumptions being that he was murdered; Ella is the wife of
Frank Manacon, of Crookston, Minnesota; and August, the youngest,
is married and resides with his parents, having charge of the home-
stead farm.

Melchior Kalscheur, of Middleton, was born at Cross Plains,
July 27, 1870. His father, Jacob Kalscheur, was born in Gottes-
kirchen, Prussia, December 4, 1827, and came to this country with
his parents about the middle of the century, having already served
in the Prussian army. He located at Cross Plains about 1851 or
1852. There in 1855 he met his wife, Josepina, daughter of Mel-,
chior Conrad, who was born in Neunkirchen, Bavaria. April 23,
1836. They were married the following year, and upon the home-
stead then located and established they reared their family of
twelve children, eleven of whom are still living. The father still
lives in his early home. The grand-parents of Melchior Kalscheur,
both paternal and maternal, were among the early settlers of Dane.
The former, of Prussian birth, John and Theresia (Cohnen) Kal-
scheur, came to Springfield in 1850, and the next year located at
Cross Plains. The maternal grandfather, Melchoir Conrad, also
came first to Springfield, but did not change his residence to Cross
Plains until 1860. There he became the owner of a large farm of
six hundred acres. Mr. Kalscheur is a buttermaker by trade. In
politics and religion he follows the family traditions, being, like his
father and grandfather, a Democrat' and a member of the Roman
Catholic church. He has served in the office of town clerk. On

BIOGRAPHICAL. 437

May 29, 1900, he was married to Miss Rosa Acker, daughter of
George and Josepina (Faber) Acker, of Springfield, and they have
three children, Josephina R.. Cazilia T.. and Elizabeth H.

Kampen Bros, is a leading mercantile firm of Morrisonville, who
have owned a general store in the village since December, 1899.
The firm consists of Oscar A. and Adolph J. Kampen, the sons of
Henry and Augusta (Winrich) Kampen, who lived in the town
of Leeds and Morrisonville. Henry Kampen was born in Caden-
berge, Germany, November 11, 1850, was educated in Germany and
learned the shoemaker's trade. He came to Leeds in 1869, married
Miss Augusta Winrich. who was born in Leeds, December 25, 1857,
and engaged in farming. He bought and sold several farms and
finally opened a hotel in Morrisonville. At the time of his death
in July, 1902, he had retired from active business. His widow
lives in Morrisonville. Eight children were born to them ;
Adolph J., Alma (deceased), Arthur (deceased), Oscar, George
(deceased), Jacob. Eleanor and Julia. Adolph J., the eldest son.
was born in the town of Leeds, February 28, 1876, attended the
public schools of Columbus and Madison, Wis., and was employed
as a clerk by Keeley, Xeckerman & Kessenich of Madison. He
was also for a time clerk in Ogilvie's dry goods store in Madison.
May 15. 1901, he married Miss Tinka Knutson, who was born in
Columbia county, Wis., December 22, 1883, daughter of Gabe and
Bertha (Peterson) Knutson, who came to Columbia county from
Norway. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kampen, Ara-
let and Walter. Oscar A. Kampen was born in the town of Leeds,
Columbia county, September 13, 1880, attended school in Colum-
bus and graduated from the high school at Madison in 1899. In
December, 1899, he with his brother Adolph. opened the store in
Morrisonville of which they are now proprietors and they have
established a large and thriving business. In political affiliations
Mr. Kampen is a Democrat.

Fred J. Karberg, a prominent citizen of Mazomanie, was born in
Berry township, Dane county, November 8, 1859. He is the son of
William and Minnie (Hacker) Karberg> both of whom were born in
Germany, the former on February 20, 1823, and the latter in the
province of Pomerania, June 17, 1836. William Karberg received his
education in his native land and in 1834 emigrated from Germany with
America as his destination, being accompanied by his family and his
parents, both of the latter dying within a year after arriving in Wis-
consin. The mother of Mrs. Karberg also came to America and died
in Berry township, Dane county. Arriving in Dane count}-, William

488 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Karberg settled on a farm of eighty acres at Marxsville, and lived
thereon until 1903, since which time he and wife have made their home
with their daughter, Mrs. Asa Hawley, of Berry township. The mar-
riage of William Karberg and wife occurred on March 31, 1855, and
the fiftieth anniversary of that event was celebrated by a beautiful
golden wedding on March 31, 1905. Both of these honored parents
are members of the Evangelical Lutheran church, and the father gives
allegiance to the Republican party. Six children were born of this
union, the names of whom and other facts concerning them being
given as follows: William, the eldest child, died in 1876, at the age
of eighteen years ; Fred J. is the immediate subject of this sketch ;
Lewis is a jeweler at Sauk City, Wis. ; Robert is a traveling salesman,
out of Minneapolis, Minn. ; Theresa is the wife of Asa Hawley, of
Berry township; and Walter. Fred J. Karberg received his educa-
tion in the common schools of the locality where he was reared, and
later took a course at the Northwestern Business College, at Madison.
He then engaged in farming for a time, but being inclined toward
mercantile pursuits he engaged in that line of business at Marxsville
and followed it very successfully for ten years ; and although now prac-
tically retired he retains an interest in the Lochner & Karberg mercan-
tile establishment at Marxsville. It should also be stated that in his
youth he followed teaching for a short time. He is a Republican in
his political affiliations, and has been a delegate to the county conven-
tions at Madison for a number of years. At the present time he is the
treasurer of Berry township. He is a member of the Evangelical Lu-
theran church, and also of the Modern Woodmen of America. Wal-
ter Karberg, the youngest of the children named above, was born in
1869, and was educated in the common schools. He is a farmer by
oecupation and owns the old homestead of eighty acres, and there he
is engaged quite extensively in general farming and stock-raising.
He is a Republican in politics, a member of the order of the Modern
Woodmen of America, and his wife and he are members of the Evan-
gelical Lutheran church. He was married on June 17, 1903, the lady
of his choice being Miss Flora Fehlandt. daughter of William Feh-
landt, of Madison, Wis.

Robert Keenan, of Oregon, was born in Fitchburg, September 16,
1854. He is the second son of John and Flora (McKee) Keenan.
natives of Ireland. The father came from the old country and the
mother from New York city to Lim|a, Ind. ; they came from Indiana
to Wisconsin by team, by way of Chicago and were married in the
town of Dunn, Dane county. They were among the earliest set-
tlers, coming with the Foxes in 1843. Mr. Keenan took up gov-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 489

eminent land, one hundred and twenty acres, in Fitchburg.— for-
merly Greenfield, a part of the precinct called Rome. — improved
it and added to it until he owned at the time of his death in Decem-
ber, 1871, a large farm of four hundred and sixty-eight acres. Mr.-
John Keenan was chairman of the town at the time of the Civil
War and assisted in getting recruits for the service. He had six
children, four sons and two daughters, all living; they are J. A.
Keenan, of Battle Creek, la.; Robert, the subject of this sketch;
Jennie, (Mrs. Joseph Bennett), of Lancaster; Charles, of Battle
Creek, la. ; Agnes and George, — who make their home with their
mother in Madison, — the latter being employed by the Avery Ma-
chinery Co. They were all born in Fitchburg and began their
school life there at Oak Hall or the "old red brick." J. A. attended
the university of Wisconsin for two years and George for three.
Robert Keenan has been a farmer most of his life, beginning for
himself when twenty-seven years old. He purchased the farm of
one hundred and nineteen acres, where he lives, some eleven years
ago. It is an improved property and he uses it chiefly for stock
raising, making a specialty of short-horn cattle and Poland China
hogs. Mr. Keenan is a Democrat in politics, a member of the Mod-
ern Woodmen, of Oregon, and of the Presbyterian church. He
was united in marriage, December 14, 1881, to Miss Ella York,
daughter of Nathan and Phoebe Ann (Bartlett) York. Mr. York
was born in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and his wife in Newark, N. J.
They came to Oregon in 1854, bought a hundred and sixty acres
of land, improved it and finally sold it and moved into the village
of Oregon where they now reside. They have had six children,
two died in infancy ; Mrs. Henrietta Lamont, of Oregon ; Mrs. St.
John, of Monroe; Mrs. Coward, (deceased) and Mrs. Robert
Keenan; the last has had three children. Flora May, York and John.
all born on the old homestead where their father was born and
which was the early home of the family. The daughter was gradu-
ated from the high school of Oregon, in 1904. and the two sons
are now in attendance at the same school.

William Keenan, the occupant of the old Keenan homestead in
the town of Dunn, was born in the town of Fitchburg, Dane county,
December 19. 1852. His parents were George and Matilda Elizabeth
(Fox) Keenan, natives of Moat, County Meath, Ireland, where Mr.
Keenan was born August 18, 1818, and his wife February 18, 1818.
Mrs. Keenan was the daughter of Rev. William Fox, a Presbyterian
minister and her mother was Eleanor Lynn. In 1833, while Mrs.
Keenan was still a girl, the family came to America settling first in

490 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Cleveland, and later in Lima. Indiana, where quite a number of the
Fox family had1 settled. In 1842 she became the bride of George
Keenan, and the following- year the young couple came to Wisconsin
with the rest, of the Foxes, locating in a fertile valley extending from
the town of Fitchburg into Oregon. For seven years George Keenan
and his wife lived in Fitchburg, and then moved to the great farm in
the town of Dunn, six miles away, where Mr. Keenan passed away
July 10, 1891. Late the same year Mrs. Keenan moved to Madison,
where she made her home until her death, which occurred October 13,
1905. While paying for his first clam George Keenan worked at his
trade of shoemaker in Madison, walking twelve miles night and morn-
ing between his home and his place of business. George Keenan was
the father of e;ght children, — Catherine became the wife of Elijah
Tussler and died in 1894 ; Anthony died in 1876 at the age of twenty-
nine ; Charlotte is the wife of Forrest H. Colladay of Madison ; Wil-
liam is on the old homestead in the town of Dunn ; Caroline is the
widow of the late Paul Tannert and resides in Madison ; George is a
practicing physician of Madison; Frances is the wife of A. B. Wine-
gar of Madison ; and Adelaide makes her home in Madison. William
Keenan received his education in the schools of Dunn township and
had the benefit of three years study in the University of Wisconsin.
On November 30. 1876^ he married Alice Ann, daughter of William
McLain and Mary Ann (Kirk) Colladay, of the town of Dunn. (See
sketch of Charles M. Colladay.) Mrs. Keenan was born February 21,
1852 and received her education in the schools of the town of Dunn
and the Albion Academy. By her marriage to Mr. Keenan she is the
mother of four children, — Harry Anthony, born August 20, 1877, mar-
ried Pearl Netherwood of Oregon village, and is now a practicing
physician in Edgerton, Wis.; Mabel Claire, born July 21, 1879, lives
at home; William MeLain, born December 5, 1881, lives at home; and
Paul Oscar, born October 10, 1884, now attending dental college at
Chicago. Mr. Keenan is a member of Oregon Camp, No. 1372,
Modern Woodmen of America, and is the present Chief Forester of
that camp. The large farm of two hundred forty acres which Mr.
Keenan manages is one of the finest in the county.

Charles Kehoe, member of the Economical Rug company at 128
State street, was born in Massachusetts, August 11, 1871. He is a
son of Edward and Mary (Thompson) Kehoe, now residents of Ever-
ett, Mich., where for forty years the father conducted a first-class hos-
telry. He is now retired. Edward Kehoe enlisted in the Union army
during the Civil War, but hostilities had ceased before the regiment
to which he belonged was called into service. Both Mr. and Mrs.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 491

Kehoe are natives of Birmingham, England, and members of the
Episcopal church. The father is seventy-nine years of age and the
mother some eleven years younger. Charles Kehoe is the only child.
His education was received chiefly at home, an eye atfrliction rendering
him incapable of attending school. While sitting on his father's
doorstep when still very young he was struck in the. eye by a stone
thrown by boys playing in the street, resulting in total blindness in the
optic. His first labor was for his father in the hotel business at Fair-
bault, Minn. He remained with him until he was twenty-nine years
of age and then came to Madison to work for Mr. George Dow. In
1899 he established the rug business which has been highly success-
ful. On January 26, 1884, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna
Kindoll, a native of Sweden. Her parents are both dead. They have
no children.

Lorin F. Kelley, of Marshall, is assistant cashier of the bank of
Marshall, which position he has held ever since the organization of
the institution, in which he had a promnent part. Of New England
descent, Mr. Kelley's father, William Perm Kelley, was born in
Rhode Island and his maternal great-grandfather shared in the ex-
citing incidents of the "Boston tea party." William P. was born
in Rhode Island at Blackstone, November 30, 1828, attended school
in New York and became a farmer. He married Miss Jane E.
Warner, a native of Lima, N. Y., and after their marriage in 1848,
they came to Wisconsin and located in Columbia county. From
there they moved to Dane county in 1850 and purchased a farm.
Mr. Kelley died in 1893 and Mrs. Kelley lives in Montana. Nine
children were born to them, of whom eight are living. Lorin F.
was born in Medina, Dane county, Wis., April 16, 1861, attended
the Marshall grade schools and the Marshall Academy, and en-
tered a dry goods store as clerk. Some years later he opened a
drug store in Marshall, which he has managed successfully for
twenty-three years. To this has been added a well stocked jewelry
department. Mr. Kelley is also a stockholder in the bank of Mar-
shall. Hee is a member of the Prohibition party, having formerly
been a Democrat, and was village treasurer for 1905. For seven
years he held the office of town clerk. July IS, 1892, Mr. Kelley
was married to Miss Emilie C. Kaiser, who is a native of Germany
and the daughter of Carl Win. Kaiser and Henrietta (Gray) Kaiser,
who came to Wisconsin in 1858. Mr. Kaiser was a veteran of the
Civil War and died in 1868 from the result of wounds received in
the war. Mrs. Kaiser died in 1903. Of their ten children, nine are
living. Mr. and Mrs. Kelley have two children ; Ruth E., born in

492 HISTORY OF DA"NE COUNTY.

August, 1893. and Esther A., born in 1896. Beth attend school in
Marshall. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church. Mr. Kelley is clerk of the Modern Woodmen and secre-
tary of the E. F. U.

Michael Kelley, of Dane, is of Irish ancestry, although born in
Walworth county of this state. October 24, 1863. His mother,
Margaret (Coin) Kelley. came to this country first, locating in
Wheeling. Va. She was at that time about sixteen years of age,
having been born in 1823. His father, Michael Kelley, born 1820,
came to Pennsylvania in 1843; their ■marriage occurred in 1845 and
they came to Walworth county in 1850. The forty acres of land
purchased in Walworth was their home for eighteen years, when
they came to Dane, settling first in Roxbury and afterward in Dane
township, where they owned one hundred and 'sixty acres of land,
and there Mr. Kelley died in 1883. His widow, now living, is aged
eighty-three years; they had ten children, of whom eight are living.
The subject of this sketch received his educationi from the common
schools of Dane township ; he follows the occupation of a farmer,
and owns one hundred and fifty-two acres of land in the corporation
of Dane. He raises about forty acres of tobacco, and from twenty-
two to thirty acres of sugar beets, being the largest producer of
the latter in the county. He has been an extensive stock-dealer
for fourteen years, handling, in 1905, about four hundred and sixty
head of horses. He has served as the assessor of Dane township
for three and as chairman of the village board for four years. Both
he and his father were Democrats and Catholics. He married,
November 4, 1890, Mrs. Frances (Wohlfahrt) Christmann, who
was born in Germany, February 11, 1863, daughter of Joseph and
Johanna (Illing) Wohlfahrt. natives of Germany, where Mrs.
Wohlfahrt died in 1891, and where her husband still lives at the
age of eighty-one years. Mrs. Kelley had, by her first husband,
John Christmann, one child, Mamie. To Mr. and Mrs. Kelley
have been born five children, Michael, died July 24, 1905, aged
thirteen years; Hannah, Hazel. Helen, Russell.

William T. Kelley, who is recognized as one of the progressive
young farmers of the town of Oregon, where he was born and has
claimed a residence during the greater part of his life, is the eldest
of a family of four children born to Warren S. and Jane E. (Grif-
fith) Kelly, former residents of Dane county The father was a
native of the state of New York and the mother was born in Dane
county. Wis. The children of these parents, aside from him who
has been mentioned as the subject of this review, are: Philip, who

BIOGRAPHICAL.' 493

served three years in the regular army, stationed in the west and
but recently mustered out, is a resident of Roekford, 111. ; Frank
and his father reside at Lone Rock, in Richland county, Wis. ; and
Joseph makes his home with William T., whose name introduces
this memoir. The father was one of the early settlers in Wiscon-
sin. and with his parents first settled in the town of Verona. He
remained at home until he was about twenty-one years old, then
began his independent career as a farm hand. William T. Kelly
became dependent upon his own resources at an early age, and
when twelve years old began work as a farm hand. Later he was
employed by D. Kingsley, and also Hess & Schmitz, of Madison,
with whom he remained until 1893, when he married, and the fol-
lowing year he purchased ninety-nine acres of land in the town of
Oregon. He resided on this farm about six years, and then sold
it and bought eighty acres, upon which he now resides. He is a
man of much determination and natural ability, qualities which
have stood him well in hand, as is evidenced by the prosperous con-
ditions with which he is surrounded, and which are the results of
his individual efforts. The date of his marriage was in December,
1893, and the lady of his choice was Mrs. Kathrine (Elliott) Clark,
born in Pennsylvania, May 1, 1857, the daughter of William and
Martha (Fincher) Elliott. She is the eldest of three children,
born to the above named parents, the others being Anna, who is
the wife of B. G. Kline, and Thomas, both of whom reside in the
village of Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly have no children. In
politics the subject of this sketch is strictly independent, and in his
social relations he is one of the leading members of the lodge of the
Modern Woodmen of America, in the village of Oregon.

Clarence Kellogg, clerk of the state supreme court, was born in
Mad' son. May 25, 1844. His parents were La Fayette and Rosy O
(Catlin) Kellogg, the former a native of New York and the latter of
Vermont. Mr. Kellogg was one of the early settlers of Wisconsin,
coming here the year after the establishment of the territory. In 1840
he was made clerk of the territorial supreme court and continued to
hold that position until the organization of the state in 1848. He was
clerk of the first and the second constitutional conventions and clerk
of the assembly. LTpon the organization of a separate supreme court
in 1853 he was made its clerk and continued to hold that position until
his death in 1878. He was a Mason and a well-known man. La Fay-
ette Kellogg was twice married. His first wife was a daughter of
Horatio' and Arvilla (Farr) Catlin. She was the mother of four child-
ren, of whom the subject of this sketch was the eldest; the others were

494 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Edward C, deceased; Charles L., a resident of Montana; Carrie R.r
now Mrs. Brig-ham Bliss of St. Paul. By his second marriage to* Miss
Helen R. Adams, he had one child, Helen J., who is now living with
her mother in Madison. Clarence Kellogg received his education in
the schools of Madison and was for a time an attendant of the Univer-
sity oif Wisconsin. Upon the completion of his studies he entered
the service of the state as deputy clerk of the supreme court, serving
under his father. This was in i860. In 1867 he resigned but five
years later resumed his place as deputy, serving as such until the death
of his father in 1878, when he was appointed clerk and has since held
that position. On October 28, 1868, he married MLs Julia A., daugh-
ter of Harry and Julia A. Adams, natives of Vermont and now both
deceased. To this marriage has been born one son, Harry L., an at-
torney of Milwaukee. Harry L. Kellogg married Miss Grace Hop-
kins, by whom he has three children, — Cornelia H., Julie, and Grace.
The subject of this sketch is not a member of any secret society and
takes little interest in politics.

John Kennedy, of West Port, is one of the many instances which
the history of this country affords, of boys who, with no other as-
sistance than that afforded by their own industry, prudence and
energy has risen from poverty to comparative affluence, given to their
families the benefit of a good education and fitted them for places of
usefulness and emolument. Mr. Kennedy's father died in Ireland in
1842, when he was a mere child, and he came with his mother to Amer-
ica in 1847, being then only seven years of age. After remaining for
about two years in the vicinity of Cincinnati, the family came to Mil-
waukee, and in 1853 to Westport, where the mother made her home
until her death, March 10. 1885. John Kennedy began his education
in Ireland and continued it during his residence in Ohio, and in the
schools of Westport township. He began to work early, turning his
attention to whatever opportunity offered, on the railroad, the steam-
boat or in the quarry. He also worked by the month for ten years on
a farm. In 1865 he bought eighty acres of land, adding at different
times sixty, twenty and eighty acres, until he is now the owner of two
hundred and forty acres, upon which he has made all the improve-
ments. He is a general farmer and stock raiser, and takes pride in
keeping good stock of all kinds. Mr. Kennedy has for years been a
member of the school board. He is a Democrat and a member of St.
Mary of the Lake Catholic church. He is the only survivor of a fam-
ily of four children. His brother Richard died in Westport, and a sis-
ter, Catherine, in Ireland. The paternal home was in Kilkenny and
his parents' names John and Julia (Whalen) Kennedy. In 1870 he

BIOGRAPHICAL. 495

was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Powers, a native of Mass-
achusetts, and the daughter of Thomas and Helen (Lynch) Powers,
natives of Ireland who settled first in Massachusetts and finally came
to Westport where both died. Mrs. Kennedy died, December 12,
1888, aged thirty-eight years, and Mr. Kennedy married his second
wife, in 1889, Man Carhorm Coughlin, who was born in Ireland, and
who died January 1, 1906. Mr. Kennedy has nine children, all born
to his first wife, of whom Julia, the second child, and Josie the seventh,
are dead ; the others are Rev. Richard V. Kennedy, pastor of the Cath-
olic church at Rush City, Minn., and one of Archbishop Ire-
land's priests ; Thomas, a dentist of Janesville ; Ellen, who lives at
home ; Mary, a graduate of Platteville normal school and a teacher at
that place ; John, a farmer at home ; Grover, a student at Miss Rich-
mond's private school, at Madison; Lilly, a graduate of Middleton
high school.

Michael Henry Kennedy, of Waunakee, a prosperous young
farmer, was born in Westport, November 3, 1873. His father, Martin
Kennedy, was born in Ireland, in 1840, and his mother, Ellen (Hogan)
Kennedy, in 1845. Martin Kennedy was reared and educated in Ire-
land coming to Dane when a young man with his mother and
two brothers, Richard and John. He was a farmer by occupation,
Democrat in politics and with all members of his family belongs to
the St. Mary of the Lake Catholic church. He died May 22, 1889. To
himself and wife were born nine children, John died aged twenty-three
years; Michael H., the subject of this sketch; Richard; Theresa; Mar-
tin; Anastatia; James; Columbus; Mary. The paternal grandfather
of M. H. Kennedy was John Kennedy, who was born and died in Ire-
land; his wife, Julia (Whalen) Kennedy was born in Ireland, came to
Cincinnati and settled near the city where she remained for two years
and then spent one year in Milwaukee, and came to Westport in 1853.
She died March 10, 1885. The maternal grandfather was Michael
Hogan, mentioned in this work. The common schools of Westport
township furnished the opportunity for an education to Mr. Kennedy,
and he chose farming as his vocation. He owns two hundred and
thirty-three acres of land, which is run as a general farm, giving
special attention to stock raising and the cultivation of tobacco. On
his farm which he bought in 1904, he has built a large tobacco shed.
He is actively interested in the welfare of the communitv, having
served on the school board for nine years, and is now serving his fifth
year as chairman of the board of the town of Westport, his constitu-
ency being Democratic. He married, September 23, 1903, Miss Re-
becca Jones, born in Westport, October 7, 1880, and they have one

496 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

child, Cyrilla Muriel, born January 9, 1905. Mrs. Kennedy's father,
John Jones, is a native of Canada and came to Westport with his pa-
rents, William and Margaret (Thompson) Jones, in an early day; they
live in Duluth, Minn. Helen4 ( Hughes ) Jones, wife of John Jones,
came to Dane county with her parents, Eugene and Julia Hughes,
about 1854.

John T. Kenney was born on a farm in Jefferson township,
Adams county, Ind., December 21. 1864. He is a son of Michael D.
and Bridget Kenney both of whom were born near Castlebar.
County Mayo, Ireland. They were married in Cincinnati, Ohio, in
1851, and a few years later became pioneer residents of the farm in
Indiana where they lived continuously thereafter until the time of
their death in 1901. The subject of this sketch began teaching in
the winter of 1880 and continued in this work for nine successive
years ; the last two as superintendent of the schools of Mercer.
Mercer county. Ohio. Incidentally, by attending school in the
summer, he was graduated, in the scientific course, from the Ohio
normal university at Ada, Ohio, with the class of 1886. He sup-
plemented his work as teacher thereafter with the study of law,
and in the fall of 1889 entered the senior class of the Cincinnati
law school. He was graduated with his class and was admitted to
the Ohio bar the following year. In October, of the same year he
entered into partnership with W. E. Touvelle for the practice of his
profession at Celina, Mercer county, Ohio. This partnership con-
tinued for twelve years. The firm gave its attention during this
time mainly to the trial of contested will cases, and suits for per-
sonal injuries, chiefly against railroad corporations. For three
years he was a member of the board of teachers' examiners of
Mercer county, Ohio. For two years he represented that county
in the Ohio legislature. In that body he vigorously opposed the
election of M .A. Hanna to the United States senate, and very
actively assisted in forming the coalition of Democrats and anti-
Hanna Republicans by means of which Mr. Hanna came within
one vote of defeat. May 15. 1900, he was united in marriage to
Miss Sadie E. Connor, daughter of Michael C. and Catherine
(Kelley) Connor of Token Creek, Dane county, Wis. To this
union three children have been born. These are Mary, born April
26, 1901, at Celina, Ohio; Catherine, born July 31. 1903, at Madison.
Wis., and John Martin born January 13. 1904, at Madison, Wis.
Mrs. Kenney was graduated from the Madison high school with
the class of 188!» and completed the junior year in the University
of Wisconsin, with the class of 1896. In January. 1902, the family

BIOGRAPHICAL. 497

located in Madison, Wis. In April of the same year Mr. Kenney
assisted in organizing" the Wannakee state bank of which he is a
director. In August following, he with others, organized and in-
corporated the Dane Abstract of Title Company of which he is
president and counsel. He is a member of the Knights of Colum-
bus and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Kentzler Brothers is the name of one of the leading livery firms
in the city of Madison, and the members of the partnership are An-
drew R. and Milo M. Kentzler, sons of Andrew Kentzler, an early
resident of the city, and who for years successfully conducted the
business to which his sons have since succeeded. Andrew Kentzler,
the father, was born at Berne, Switzerland, on May 2, 1832, came to
the United States at the age of seventeen and settled in Fort Akin-
sou, Wis., where he worked several years for Milo Jones, proprietor
of the Green Mountain House, receiving for his first year's labor
three dollars per month, for the second nine dollars. He then worked
at Whitewater one year for twelve dollars per month, after which he
came to Madison and for five years was employed at the United States
hotel at a salary of sixteen dollars per month; but being attentive and
faithful to his duties the appreciate patrons often contributed to him
more than his wages amounted to. In 1858 he purchased a horse and
buggy and started a "one-horse livery," which was the nucleus for
what afterward became the largest livery establishment in the city of
Madison, containing a large number of fine horses and a full assort-
ment of vehicles. He continued in the management of the business
until July 1, 1903, since which time his sons, who are the imme-
diate subects of this review, have successfully conducted the same.
Mr. Kentzler was married, December 25, 1858, to Miss Johanna Rein-
hardt, a native of Stuttgart, Germany, who came to America as a
young girl and at the time of her marriage was a resident of the city
of Madison. Of this union six children were born, of whom only
three are, now l'ving, the two sons named above, and a daughter, Anna,
who is now the wife of John Grinde, of Madison. Andrew R. Kentz-
ler, the elder son, was born in Madison, Wis., January 1, 1863, and the
younger, Milo M. Kentzler was born in the same city November 8,
1864. They received their education in the. common schools of the
city of their birth, and in 1882 Andrew R. became an assistant of Ins
father in the livery business, followed two years later by the younger
brother, Milo M. Thus were they permitted to learn every detail of
the business and the success that has attended their efforts is due in
large measure to the habits of industry and intelligent management
32— iii

498 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

inculcated in them by their father. Andrew R. Kentzler was married
on May 18, 1893, to Miss Emma Purdy, of Madison, daughter of Sam-
uel J. and Sarah (Tyler) Purdy, both of whom were natives of Bing-
hampton, N. Y. To Andrew R. Kentzler and wife have been born
two children, Ruth P. and Paul R. Milo M. Kentzler was married
October 8, 1891, to Miss Kittie Haak, daughter of John Haak, an old
resident of Madison. The Kentzler brothers are independent in their
political views, and they support men and measures that meet their
conscientious approval, regardless of any meaningless party shibbo-
leth. Milo M. is a member of the Knights of Pythias order, the
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the Modern Wood-
men. He has also been one of the volunteer firemen of the city of
Madison for more than twenty years.

Otto Kerl, Sr., is one of the prominent farmers and extensive
landholders of Berry township, is an ex-member of the state legis-
lature and is a citizen who has ever commanded the highest meas-
ure of popular confidence and regard, as evidenced in the various
positions of public trust to which he has been called. Mr. Kerl
was born in the city. of Langensalbya, Prussia, February 12, 1822.
and is a son of Frederick and Marie (Hesse) Kerl. The father
was a brewer by vocation and he was an active participant in the
Franco-Prussian war, while he was a member of the army in the
city of Berlin for some time prior to this. He lived to a patriarchal
age, his death having occurred in 1892, and his wife passed to the
life eternal in 1856. Frederick Kerl was a man of influence in his
community, having been president of the city council for some
time and having stood for the most sterling attributes of character.
He was the owner of a good farm, of seventy acres, and he passed
his entire life in the fatherland. His religions faith was that of the
Evangelical church. He was three times married, the maiden
name of his second wife having been Agnes Kunbye and that of
his third wife Fanny Schlick. All died in Prussia. Of the two
children of the first marriage the subject of this sketch is the
elder ; three children were born of the second union and five by the
third. Otto is the first member of the immediate family who came
to America, but in 1890 the fourth son of the third wife, an artist
by profession, came to this country, and settled in Milwaukee.
Otto Kerl was afforded the advantages of the excellent schools of
his native land, where he also learned both the brewer's and
cooper's trades. He remained resident of Prussia until 1847, when,
at the age of twenty-five years, he severed the home ties and set
forth to seek his fortunes in America. He came at once to Dane

BIOGRAPHICAL. 409

county, Wisconsin, settling on his present fine homesetead in June
of that year and thus becoming one of the pioneers of this beautiful
section of the Badger state. He first secured two hundred acres,
and he is now the owner of a fine demesne of three hundred and
sixty acres. When he located here the land was covered with
heavy timber and no improvements of more than nomenal order
had been made, so that he grappled with the forest and has re-
claimed his farm by means of indefatigable energy, and while devel-
oping one of the best places in the county, practically the entire
tract being now available for cultivation, while the permanent im-
provements are of the best types, the buildings being commodious,
well arranged and substantial. The greater portion of the land
lies in section 27, forty acres being in section 28. In 1854 Mr. Kerl
erected and equipped a small brewery on his farm, continuing to
operate the same until 1861, since which time he has given his un-
divided attention to farming and stock-growing. He is a man oi
strong mentality and positive character, and has long been influen-
tial in local affairs, being one of the best known citizens in the
western part of the county and having a circle of friends that is
circumscribed only by that of his acquaintances. He has much
practical knowledge in regard to therapeutics and materia medica,
and for many years he has utilized this knowledge in relieving the
physical afflictions of the many who have appealed to him for such
ministration, having effected many remarkable cures and being
commonly known as Dr. Kerl. In politics Mr. Kerl has ever been
a stalwart supporter of the principles and policies of the De-
mocracy, and he has been a prominent factor in its local councils.
He has served fifty-six years as justice of the peace, was several
years a member of the town board, was four years incumbent of the
office of county commissioner, was township clerk thirty-five years,
and in 1873-4 was representative of his county in the assembly of
the state legislature. For many years he was a director of the
Berry and Roxbury Fire Insurance Company. He and his wife are
members of the Lutheran church. In August 1849, Mr. Kerl was
united in marriage to Miss Augusta Walther, who was born in
Germany and who died in the year after her marriage. Her only
child, Augusta, died at the age of eleven years. For his second
wife Mr. Kerl married Amelia Peppelbaum, likewise a native of
Germany, and she was survived by one son, Fritz, who died at the
age of twenty-four years. After the death of his second wife Mr.
Kerl married Johanna Festge and they have seven children namely:
Anna, Herman, Otto, Jr., Fannie. Edward, Robert and Ida.

500 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Charles Kerr, farmer and stock raiser, living about a mile west
of the village of Mazomanie, was born in the borough of Whitehaven,
county of Cumberland, England, November 12, 1828, and is a son of
John and Martha (Rutledge) Kerr, both natives of that county. The
father was a flax dresser and also traveled through the flax growing
districts of England and Ireland, buying the fiber for his employers.
After a time in this work he engaged in business for himself as a man-
ufacturer of linen thread. He was a member of the British Temper-
ance Emigration Society and in 1844 came to America on the sailing
vessel Cairo, of Boston. After a tempestuous voyage of five weeks
the family landed in Boston and shortly afterward came on west, lo-
cating in the town of Mazomanie, where the subject of this sketch
now lives. Here the mother died in 1857 and the father in 1865. He
was a Republican in his political views and both parents were mem-
bers of the Congregational church. Their children were Alexander,
Francis, Eleanor, Charles, Mary, John, Daisy, and Sarah Jane. Of
these all are dead except the subject of this sketch. Charles Kerr had
no opportunity to attend school in his boyhood and what education he
has he has acquired by self-study and by association with educated
people. In this way he has managed to acccmulate a. fund of infor-
mation that places him on an equality with the average citizen of his
neighborhood. He was associated with his father in making thread
before coming to> this country. For ten seasons he was employed in
getting out logs along the rivers of Wisconsin, and in 1859 went with
eight others to Pike's Peak in quest of gold. Then for a time he was
in southern Kansas, but in i860 returned to Mazomanie, where he has
been engaged in farming and stock raising ever since. He owns one
hundred and sixty acres of the old homestead and is considered one of
the representative farmers of the neighborhood in which he lives. He
is a Republican and has held the office of supervisor, as well as some
other minor offices. In church matters he is a Congregationalist. On
April 5, 1863, he was united in marriage to Miss Clara Greening, (See
sketch of her father, James H. Geening) and to this union have been
born the following children. Frank, a farmer on the old place ; Wil-
liam Alfred, a commission merchant at Aberdeen, S. D. ; and Nellie,
who died at the age of twenty-four years. Frank has been twice mar-
ried : first to Birdie Rienow and after her death to Nellie Koch. To
this second marriage have been born two children, Clara and Stella.
William A. married Nettie Baldwin.

Lawrence L. Ketchum, chief engineer of the Wisconsin state
-capitol, was born in La Grange county, Indiana. His parents were
Stephen and Asenath (Whitney) Ketchum, both born in New

BIOGRAPHICAL. 501

York state. They came to Indiana in 1835 when that country was
still new. They were married August 1, 1839. In 1855 tneY im^'
grated to Iroquis county, Illinios. The next year Stephen Ketchum
went north in search of a new home and purchased a farm in Dane
county in the town of Primrose. On his return trip he went to Indi-
ana to' settle his business affairs before moving to his new home in
Wisconsin. -While there he was kicked by a horse and died within
twenty minutes after the accident. The widow and her eight children
went to the farm in Primrose that fall. The trip was made in a cov-
ered wagon, drawn by oxen which did goofl service on the farm for
several, years. When the Civil War broke out the oldest, Edwin, en-
listed in Company K. Thirty-third Regiment of Wisconsin Volun-
teers and served until the close of the war. Another brother, George,
who enlisted in Company E. Forty-seventh Regiment Wisconsin Vol-
unteers, on January 24, 1865, died at Camp Randall, February 22.
1865. In 1868 Lawrence was engaged to take the mail route from
Madison to Bern postofnce in Green county, via Verona, Mt. Vernon
and Primrose. Before commencing this undertaking he was required
to take the usual oath to' support the constitution of the United
States. The oath was administered by the Madison postmaster, E.
W. Keyes. He continued in this work until 1870 when he decided
to take Horace Greeley's advice and go west. In company with
Wm. T. La Follette, — a brother of Wisconsin's junior senator, Hon.
Robert M'. LaFollette, — he went to Clay county. Neb., where Mr. La
Follette homesteaded a quarter section of land. In the fall and win-
ter of 1870- 1 he hunted and trapped, killing many buffalo and wolves.
Before reaching Denver he came in touch with a parry of friendly
Sioux Indians with whom was living a young man who has since be-
come famous the world over, — Wm. F. Cody (Buffalo Bill). When '
Denver was reached not a single rail of the D. & R. G. R. R. had yet
been laid and many men were carrying on business in log cabins.
Mr. Ketchum's older brother, Hubert, who had preceeded him to
Nebraska, was a member of the party which went across the plains
to Denver. While in Denver ex-Governor Hunt engaged him to
work in a logging and lumber camp thirty miles south of Denver,
where he assisted the engineer and fireman in their work. He had
always had a liking for mechanical work and under the influence of
these men the latent talent came to the surface and Mr. Ketchum's
life-work was determined. From Denver he drifted down through
Kansas and at Abilene saw the noted Wm. Hecox (Wild Bill) who
was city marshall at that time and doing business with a double bar-
reled shot gfiin instead of the little club of to-clav. From here he

502 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

went to Muskogee, Indian Territory, and worked as fireman on the
construction train of the M. K. & T. R. Ry. until Denison, Tex., was
reached. He then worked on the Houston and Great Northern R.
Ry. until a junction was made with the Texas Pacific R. Ry. at Min-
eola, and then on the Texas Pacific R. Ry. west through Dallas to
Ft. Worth. Here he joined a man who had 22,000 head of cattle to
drive north to Nebraska City. Shortly after this General Custer dis-
covered gold in the Black Hills, and the business men of Kearney,
Neb, engaged Mr. Ketchum to locate a route from that city to Custer
City, Dakota, in order that Kearney might be a great outfitting point
for parties en route to the "new diggings." This trip was made in the
winter. Indians and deep snow retarded his progress. Upon his return
to Kearney, Mr. Ketchum found a party of sixty men with seventeen
wagons waiting for him to guide them to- the new gold fields. On
this trip he was accompanied by his younger brother, Ami Whitney
Ketchum. Later Mr. Ketchum was employed in the quartermaster
department of the army and saw service with General Merritt, Gen-
eral Mackenzie, General Crook and Colonel Henry which actually en-
gaged in subduing the Sioux Indians. He was present at the cap-
ture of Chief Dull Knife and his band of Cheyennes in 1878 after they
broke away from their reservation in Indian Territory and left, a
bloody trail through Kansas and Nebraska. They were captured
near where Chadron, Neb. is now situated. In 1879 the Ute Indians
under Chief Captain Jack massacred the agent Meeker at White River
agency together with all the white men they could find and carried
off into captivity all the women, — Mrs. Meeker and daughter, Josie,
being among them. In the spring of 1880 General Mackenzie was
sent into their country and Mr. Ketchum went on this expidition.
On this trip he was associated with Chris. Gilson, one of the best
government scouts who ever followed a trail. Later at White River,
he was in close touch with Luther S. Kelly, another scout known as
"Yellowstone Kelly." It was Kelly who was with General Terry
when General Custer was sent on his last trip against the Indians.
When no word was received from Custer for two or three days Kelly
was sent out to find him and was the first white man on the Custer
battlefield. In 1881 Mr. Ketchum returned to Kearney, Neb., and
became engaged in the machine shop and foundry business. During
his residence in Kearney he served as chief of police under Mayors
H. J. Mack, C. B. Finch and N. A. Baker. In 1900 he returned to
Wisconsin to accept a position as chief engineer at the Racine Wagon
and carriage works. In 1903 he was appointed chief engineer of the
Wisconsin state capitol and has since that time faithfully and effi-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 50-5

ciently filled the position. In 1882 he married Miss Lucy L. Powell,
daughter of Adam and Rachael Powell, of Kenesaw, Neb. To Mr.
and Mrs. Ketchum have been born eight children, of whom five are
living. Edith, in the letters and science course and Merritt, in the
electrical engineering course of the class of 1907, University of Wis-
consin; Maud in the high school; and Leslie W. and Dean in the ward
schools of Madison. Ruth died at the age of six years, Mabel at five
months and Robert M. at thirteen months. The family are members
and regular attendants of the Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. Ket-
chum are members of the orders of the Eastern Star. Mr. Ketchum
is a Knight Templer Mason, a member of the Modern Woodmen of
America, and an active member of the National Association of Sta-
tionary Engineers. His educational advantages were limited to the
common schools and his own personal energies. He took advantage of
night schools wherever it was convenient and also took a course in the
"International Correspondence School." All his study and thought
have been on mechanical, steam, electrical, hydraulic engineering
and he was the first engineer to take advantage of correspondence
study course in engineering as taught by the University of Wisconsin.
These studies have brought him into close touch with manufacturers
and has always secured for him employment in the best and largest
power-plants in communities where he resided. Following is the
maternal ancestry of Mr. Ketchum as recorded in the "Whitney
Genealogy" and the "Ancestry of John Whitney:" Turstin, "the Flem-
ing." a follower of William the Conqueror, is recorded in the Dooms-
day book, 1086. Authentic record begins in 1242, with Sir Robert de
Whitney, from whom the direct line is. Sir Eustace (aTjout 1820); Sir
Eustace, knighted by Edward I in 1306; Sir Robert, M. P.., 1377-80:
Sir Robert, knighted by Richard II, killed in battle of Pilleth, 1402;
Sir Robert, M. P.. 1416-22. d. March 12, 1441 ; Sir Eustace, m. Jenett.
dau. Sir John Ludlow, d. 1470; Robert, m. Constance, dau. Jas. Tou-
chett; James, m. Blanche, dau. Senior Melbourne; Robert, m. Mar-
garet, dau. Robert Wye; Sir Robert, knighted by Queen Mary, m.
Sybil, d. 1567; Robert, m. Elizabeth; Thomas, m. Mary, dau. of John
Bray of Westminster, d. i63i;-John (the first Whitney in America"),
m. Elinor, d. June 1. 1673 ; Dea. Joshua, b. 1635. m. Abigail Tarball :
Col. David, (1682-1769) m. Elizabeth Warren; Solomon. (i733-'i772)
m. Sarah: Tarball, (1 763-1 850") m. Mrs. Lois (Lawrence) Hopkins:
Solomon, (1790-1843) m. Sarah A. Haskins; Aseneth Whitney, m.
Stephen Ketchum (1813-1856)— children— Edwin, b. 1840; Al-
bert, (1842-46): George, (1844-65); Ann Eliza, b. 1846; Hubert, b.

504 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

1848; Loren, b. 1851 ; Lawrence 1). 1851; Ami Whitney, (1854-78).
Of Mr. Ketehum's paternal ancestry the following brief entry is made:
Robert Ketchum, born 1737, died 1810. He married Miss Pierce and
served in the Revolution under Washington. His son, George P., was
born in 1777 and died 1866, and his son Stephen, born 181 3, and died
1856, was the father of L. L. Ketchum of this sketch.

Judge E. W. Keyes. A biographical sketch of E. W. Keyes will
be found on page 7 of volume II.

Michael Killerlain is one of the highly respected citizens of the
town of Dunn and he has followed that honorable vocation in Dane
county during all of his mature life. He is a native of the Green
Mountain state, and was born in the county of Rutland. Vermont.
on December 10, 1857, his parents being John and Nora (Kivlin)
Killerlain, both of whom were born in Ireland. To the union of
these parents there were born eight children : Timothy, the eldest
son, and Mary, the eldest daughter, are deceased ; John is deceased
and his widow resides in Davenport, Iowa ; Patrick is deceased ;
Bridget married William Trainor and resides in the city of Madi-
son ; Katie married Dominic Conlin and resides in Madison ; Mamie
married Thomas Brennan and resides in Two Harbor. Minn. ; and
Michael is the subject of this review. The family came directly to
Wisconsin from Vermont, in 1857, and the father purchased forty
acres of land and began general farming in the town of Fitchburg,
Dane county. He remained on this farm three years, and then sold
it and worked farms on shares in the same township for nine years,
until his death. Some time after the demise of the father, the
mother married Thomas Carey, of Fitchburg, and about three
years after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Carey removed to
Madison, where they now live in retirement. Michael Killerlain,
who is the immediate subject of this review, received a lim-
ited education in the district schools and remained at the par-
ental home until he had reached the age of twenty-one years, as-
suming charge of affairs and supporting the family until the time
of his mother's second marriage. He then moved to the town of
Dunn, where he worked a farm on shares for five years, after
which he moved to another farm in the same town and remained
there the same length of time. He then resided in the city of Madi
son two years, working one year in the capitol under Governor
Peck's administration. Returning to the town of Fitchburg he then
farmed for his father-in-law, five years, then rented a iarm near
Syene. upon which he resided three years, and then for another
year conducted a farm in Fitchburg, after which he purchased the

BIOGR/! PHICAL. 505

place where he now resides. He later added forty acres to his
landed possessions, and now has a well-improved farm, the result
of his own efforts and those of his faithful helpmate. Mr. Killer-
lain was married on November 24, 1880, to Miss Ellen Glennon,
who was born in the town of Blooming- Grove, October it, ^859,
daughter of Edward and Ellen (Madden) Glennon, old residents of
Dane county. Mr. and Mrs. Killerlain are the parents of eight
children ; the two eldest Mamie and Jennie, are twins, the former
being the wife of T. M. Cusic, of the town of Dunn, and the latter
is Mrs. William Lawler, of the same township ; Nellie is deceased ;
and the others — John, Edward, Henry, Frank and Mary, reside at
home. Mr. Killerlain maintains an independent attitude in his poli-
tical views, and his worth as a citizen has been recognized by elec-
tion to the position of road supervisor, a position he now holds.
He and his wife are members of the Catholic church.

John F. King, of Waunakee, born in Westport, Dane county, De-
cember 2, 1872, is of Irish ancestry on both sides of the family, both
his paternal grandparents, John and Margaret (Shachency) King
and his maternal, Michael and Margaret (Durkin) Kennedy having
lived and died in Ireland. His father was also born and educated in
Ireland; he came to New York, 1859, anCl ver.v soon came on to Cin-
cinnati, Ohio, where he worked on the Cincinnati & Marietta R'y. He
came to Dane county the same year and worked on the state hosp.tal
for two years ; then in company with his brother Barney he bought
one hundred and forty acres of land and upon this homestead, John F.,
the only son of John. and Catherine (Kennedy) King, was bom, and
there the father lives at the present time. Mrs. King was born in
County Mayo, Ireland, December 8, 1845, anCl cueci in l872- He was
born in the same place in 1826. The subject of this sketch was edu-
cated in the common school and in Miss Richmond's private school in
Madison ; he is a farmer and has charge of the homestead ; he is also
a breeder of short-horn cattle and Poland China hogs. He belongs to
the Republican party and has been treasurer of the township and
cierk of the school board for three years. He and his family are
members of the Catholic church. On November 13, 1895 he was mar-
ried to Miss Susan M. Fish, born in Dane, June 16, 1877 and they
have had four children, Alice K. ; Ruth: Roy G. ; and Gladys, who
died aged four months. Mrs. King's paternal ancestry is as follows:
t. Ashel and Mary (Lane) Fish. 2. Ashel Fish, born 1816, married
in Pennsylvania, 1840, to Miss Susan Salisbury. He was a minister
of the Christian church and came to Columbia county in 1853: he set-
tled at Dekorah. and later came to Springfield (1859), and then to

506 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Waunakee valley, where he preached for some years without salary;
his whole term of service as pastor covered twelve years, and he was
invariably found in his pulpit. Mrs. King's maternal grandparents
were Lathrop and Emily (Allen) Stewart. Mr. Stewart was an
early settler of Dane ; he moved to North Dakota where he died in
1900; his wife died at Wahpeton, N. D. in 1881. Mrs. King's par-
ents are Geo. C. Fish, born in Pennsylvania, August, 1842, and Sophia
(Stewart) Fish, born also in Pennsylvania in 184$. Mr. Fi<di came
west with his parents in 1853. He settled on a farm of two hundred
and twenty acres, in Westport in 1866, where the village of Wauna-
kee now stands ; and in company with Mr. Lewis Baker platted it in
1871. He sold his farm to T. P. O'Malley and moved to Iowa where
he now resides. While a resident of Dane he served as supervisor in
Westport and on the village board of Waunakee.

John T. King, president of the King & Walker Manufacturing
Company, whose foundry and machine shops are at 613 to 617 East
Main street, was born in Cape Vincent, Jefferson county, N. Y.,
December 14, 1850. He is a son of Lorenzo D. and Julia Ann
(Schryver) King, the former a native of Vermont, the latter of
Pennsylvania. The father came to Wisconsin in 1851 and located
on a farm near Fox Lake in Dodge county. He followed the voca-
tion of farmer after coming to Wisconsin, although he had origin-
ally been a carpenter and stair builder. Practically all his life in
Wisconsin he was clerk of the town in which he resided. His reli-
gious affiliations were with the Methodist Episcopal church, and
he frequently was an occupant of the pulpits of that society. He
held most pronounced views on the matter of temperance, being
exceeding well read on this topic as well as on all others. His
death occurred in 1864 at the age of forty-seven. His widow died
some four years later. She was a most devout believer in the
Seventh-day Adventist faith and was a deq)ly pious and saintly
woman. Of the nine children in the family six are still living.
One daughter, Mary E., now the wife of Asahe! Halstead, shipping
clerk for King & Walker, makes Madison her home. John T. King
received his preparatory education in the "little red school" of na-
tional fame, attending school in the winter and working on his father's
farm in summer. When he was seventeen years of age he went west
to a brother, Gilbert L., at Pine Bluff, a station of the Union Pacific
railroad in Wyoming. The railroad shops offered him employment
until he obtained a position as engineer on the Union Pacific in 1870.
Tnls last position he held for two years and then returned to Fox
Lake, where he opened a machine shop and did all kinds of odd ma-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 507

•chinery jobs until 1878. In the latter year he, was appointed assistant
engineer in the state capitol at Madison, and remained about a year
and a half. The following year and a half he was chief engineer at
the Park Hotel and then he went to work for W. G. Walker & Com-
pany as superintendent of construction of what was then known as the
Prouty printing press. He remained with the firm in the capacity of
superintendent until 1889, when the firm of King & Walker was or-
ganized and Mr. King was made president. Since that time he has
served as president and has patented machinery devices which have
helped revolutionize the technical world. So far as is known the first
exhaust steam heating apparatus ever patented was his; as was a ro-
tary starching machine for laundries. Altogether he has taken out
nine patents, the last on a printing press in December, 1905, and has
never sold any of them. The chief output of the firm is printing
presses. On August 17, 1872, Mr. King was united in marriage to
Miss Mary A. Craig, daughter of Samuel and Eliza Craig, and of
Scotch-Irish extraction. The parents have been dead many years.
Mr. and Mrs. KHng have had but one child, Gilbert William, who was
born June 10, 1874, and died November 21, 1890. He was a pupil in
the high school at the time of his demise and was a youth of excep-
tional promise. Mrs. King is a communicant of the First Congrega-
tional church. Her husband is a Royal Arch Mason, and for four
years was master of Hiram Lodge, Xo. 50. He was historian of the
lodge at its fiftieth anniversary celebration and is past grand junior
warden of the grand lodge of the state of Wisconsin. He is also a
•member of Robt. McCoy commandery, Knights Templar and of Hope
Lodge, No. 17, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and a charter
member of the Knights of Pythias organization in Madison. Politi-
cally his affiliations are with the Republican party. In 1894 he was
made secretary of the Republican county central committee and held
the position eight consecutive years. He took no side in the recent
split in the party, but labored earnestly for the good of all concerned.
He has himself never aspired to office, although he has often been
urged to become a candidate. He is a director of the northwestern
building and loan association, and is now serving his third year as
president of the Dane county agricultural society.

Thor T. Kingland lives on the farm in the town of Christiania
which was the first home owned by his father, Thor Kingland, when
lie came to Wisconsin. Father and son were natives of Telemarken,
Norway and the boy Thor came with his parents to the west when he
was three years old. The long slow voyage on a sailing craft was
made in the summer of 1847 and the country where the farm of eighty

508 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

acres was purchased was wild and inhabited by Indians. With the in-
domitable spirit of the pioneer, Mr. Kingland built a cabin from the
trees on his own farm and set bravely to work to clear and improve
the property. After some years he bought another farm of two
hundred and forty acres at Albion, where he and his wife spent the
remainder of their lives. Eleven cihldren were born to them ; Talbin,
Alf, Ole, Julia, Andrew, Thar, Ingebright, Alice, Axel and two who
died in infancy. Thor was born in Norway July 14, 1844. He found
little time or opportunity to go to school in the new home and worked
hard with his father on the farm. In October, 1861, he enlisted at
Madison, Wis., as a private in Company H, of the Fifteenth Wisconsin
Volunteer Infantry and saw much hard service. His regiment was
active at Island No. 10 and Union City, marched through Tennessee
and Kentucky and engaged at Perry sville, Murfreesboro and Stone
River during Mr. Kingland' s term of service. Mr. Kingland was
three times wounded, once in the left leg, once in the ne'el and finally
near the hip joint. The last wound was the most serious as the bullet
passed lengthwise through the leg and imbedded itself. Mr. King-
land's comrades thought him dead and he lay for two days and two
nights upon the battle field. Not until eight days after the battle did
the wound received surgical attention and six months of severe illness
followed and many more of weakness and pain. For a long time Mr.
Kingland was obliged to use crutches and he has never since been
strong enough for a very active life. June 28, 1865. he was married
to Miss Susan Sylfertdotter of Yoss, Norway. After her death he
married Miss Gucnel Fernersdotter, also of Norwegian birth. To the
first marriage were born four children; Susan (deceased); Thomas:
Christian; Andrew and Annie (deceased). Of the six children of the
second marriage but four are living; Matilda, Andrew, Tena and An-
nie, The family is identified with the Lutheran church of Pleasant
Springs. Mr. Kingland is a member of the G. A. R. Post of
Stoughton and a staunch Republican. He is an able farmer in spite
of the fact that he has been incapacitated for hard work by his
wounds.

John B. Kiser, together with his brother. Geo. W., is one of the
most extensive farmers and stock-breeders of Dane county ; and the
sons are but sustaining the reputation in that line of their honored
father. The parents of our subject were Joseph C. and Elizabeth
(' Ransack) Kiser, both of whom were natives of the state of Vir-
ginia, the father being born at Mt. Crawford, Rockingham county,
July 26, 1818, and the mother in Roanoke county of the same state.
J. C. Kiser removed with his parents to Ohio, when he was but four-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 509

teen years old, and for eight years the family had its residence near
the city of Dayton, the farm on which the family lived being the same
tin which is now located the Soldiers' Home. This farm was bought
for twenty dollars an acre, and sold for fifty dollars an acre, in 1839.
His father having died, Joseph C. Kiser, who was the eldest of seven
children, became the virtual head of the household, and after the sale
of the farm mentioned the family removed to .West Liberty, Logan
county, Ohio. In 1841 Joseph C. married Katharine Seele, of West
Liberty, and the following year started for Peru, Ind., with his young
wife, in company with other movers, his equipment consisting of two
horses and a cow and $7.50 in money, five dollars of the latter being
secured from the sale of fifty bushels of oats at ten cents a bushel.
Thus equipped he made the trip overland to Peru, Ind., a distance ot
one ' undred and sixty miles, and after making that place his home for
three years he returned to Ohio, and in company with his mother and
brother was for five years in the mercantile 'business at Millerstown,
that state. His wife having died at about this time and the California
gold fever being at its height, in 1850 Mr. Kiser started for the Golden
state. He went to St. Joseph, Mo. and there, on May 9, he paid
Rome, Hannah & Smith $200 to take him to San Francisco, arriving
at the latter place on September 8. He conducted a hotel on the road
from Stockton to Sonora, known as the "Twenty-six Mile house," for
fifteen months. Fortune favored him and he was able to accumulate
about $5,000 in the business ; then, in 1852.be returned to his old
home in Ohio, married the mother of the subject of this sketch, and
again engaged in the mercantile business in West Liberty. He was
thus engaged until 1854, when he came to Wisconsin and purchased a
farm of three hundred acres in the town of Oregon, Dane county, on
which the family still resides. He bought this land of Dr. W. H.
Fox, and at that time only eighty acres of it was under cultivation,
but Mr. Kiser made his entire share of improvements, building a large
and tasteful farm house in 1869, and a forty by sixty basement stock-
barn a few years later. He also put up other needed buildings and
soon had a well-fenced farm, upon which he resided until his death,
November 19, 1895. In 1870 he began the breeding of registered
short-horned cattle, usually keeping from twenty-five to forty head in
his herd, and he was awarded a number of first prizes at the Wiscon-
sin and Minnesota state fairs, and also many at the Dane, Rock, and
Green county fairs in his home state. He also bred Poland-China
hogs. He was a Democrat in his political affiliations, and was also a
member of the Masonic order. To his first marriage one child was
born — Mary, who is now the wife oi W. F. Bartholomew, of Brook-

510 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

lyn, N. Y. — and to the second union there were born seven, as fol-
lows : Susan Virginia, John B., Kittie, Addie, Carrie, George W.
and Daniel Elliott. The last married Miss Addie Fox, of Oregon,,
and resides at Durand, Wis., and Kittie K. married Joe O. Fox, Jr.
and is now deceased. John B. Kiser, whose name introduces this
memoir, received his education in the high school of the village of
Oregon, and his brothers and sisters also received their schooling in
Dane county. In 1890 John B. and his brother were taken in as
partners by their father in the extensive business of farming and
fancy stock breeding, and this partnership between the brothers still
continues under the firm name of Kiser Bros. Their herd now num-
bers one hundred head. In the disastrous cyclone that visited that
porton of the county, in 1878, the farm was almost completely devas-
tated, but, nothing daunted, the father and his sons overcame the
dreadful effects and launched out more extensively than ever. In
1870, when the father started in the business of stock-breeding, he
purchased a cow, calf, and a three-year-old heifer, for which he paid
$1,400, and a short time later he bought four head of cattle in Ohio,,
for which be paid $4,000. One of these was descended from a
$35,000 dam and a $12,000 sire. John B. and his brother have done
all the fitting of their stock for the exhibitions in which they have
been contestants, and they had stock in in all the large stock shows for
fourteen years. In 1883 they carried the grand sweep-stakes over alt
other competitors at the state fair, as is shown by the records. Short-
horns cattle from this herd have gone to more agricultural college-
farms than from any other herd of short-horns in the United States.
They have sold stock that has gone to the Washington agricultural col-
lege, to New Mexico, Idaho, Dakota, Wisconsin, the Mormon church
at Salt Lake city, Virginia, and Canada, have sold thirteen head to
Prof. John A. Craig, of Iowa agricultural college and have also sold
extensively to breeders on the Missouri river, having shipped twentv-
four head in one lot, to breeders in South Dakota, and a car-load to-
Lee & Prentice, Vermillion S. D. John B. Kiser gives an unswerv-
ing allegiance to the principles of the Democratic party, but has never
allowed the desire for office to draw his attention away from the bus-
iness in which he has achieved such signal success.

Levi Kittilsen, a prominent retired farmer and tobacco dealer re-
siding in the city of Stoughton, is the owner of one of the fine farms
of Christiana township. He is one of the many sturdy citizens of
Scandinavian birth who have assisted materially in the develop-
ment of the agricultural industry of Dane county and his course
has been such as to retain to him the unequivocal esteem of his

BIOGRAPHICAL. 511

fellow men. Mr. Kittilsen was born in Norway, July 21, 1845, and
is a son of Kittil and Anna (Lee) Kittilsen, who immigrated to
America in 1853, arriving in Wisconsin on August 20. of that year.
In 1854 they located in York township, Green county, where the
father died the same year, during the epidemic of cholera, to whch
he succumbed. His widow and the subject of this sketch, who was
but eight years of age at the time of the immigration to the United
States, continued to reside in Green county until 1862, when they
removed to Christiana township, Dane county, where they pur-
chased one hundred and forty acres of land, the greater portion be-
ing prairie land. On this homestead the devoted mother passed the
remainder of her life. The property is still owned by Mr. Kittil-
sen, who has added to the original tract until he now has a fine
landed estate of two hundred and four acres, under excellent cul-
tivation and improved with good buildings and other accessories.
He received his rudimentary education in his native land and sup-
plemented this by attending the schools of Dane and Iowa counties,
Wisconsin. He gave his earnest and undivided attention to the
improvement and cultivation of his farm until 1890, having made a
specialty of raising tobacco, and in the year mentioned he located
in Stoughton, where he engaged in the purchasing and sale of to-
bacco of native growth, continuing actively in this line of enter-
prise until 1904, since which time he has lived essentially retired
from business, having an attractive home in Stoughton and enjoy-
ing the rewards of former years of endeavor and application. He
is a stalwart supporter of the principles and policies of the Repub-
lican party, and is at the present time representing Stoughton on
the county board of supervisors, having previously been supervisor
of Christiana township for many years. He is a man of marked
business acumen and has proven a valuable official of township,
city and county in the capacity noted. He and his family are
zealous members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. July 3, 1865,
Mr. Kittilsen was united in marriage to Miss Anna Olson Holtori,
daughter of Ole (Galbrandson) Holton and Ambjor (Kampestad)
Holton. Mrs. Kittelson was born in Christiana township, Dane
county, Wisconsin, August 1. 1845, and is said to have been the
first white female child born in that township, where her parents
located in 1843, having immigrated hither from Norway. Her
father died in 1851, of cholera, his wife surviving him by a number
of years. Mr. and Mrs. Kittilsen have reared to maturity their
family of eight children, namely: Carl O., Andrea. Albert X..
Bernhardt G., Kristian O.. Sophia L., Alma M. and Klara B. An-

512 . HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

drea is now the wife of Rev. A. E. Lien a clergyman of the
Lutheran church ; Albert N. is a successful physician and surgeon ;
and Bernhardt G., is deceased.

John Kivlin, a well-known and successful farmer of the town of
Rutland, is a native of County SligO', Ireland. His father, Michael
Kivlin, was a farmer and fisherman in Ireland and married there Mi.^s
Ann Kellerlain, bringing his young family with him to America in
1854. They made the voyage in a sailing craft and were more than
six weeks en route. The first few years were spent in Vermont
where Mr. Kivlin worked in the slate and marble quarries near Hyde-
ville and Rutland and in 1861, he moved west to Dane county, Wis.
and obtained an eighty acre farm in F.tchburg township, which was
his home the remainder of his life. The family numbered five chil-
dren; John, the oldest; Bridget, the widow of Matt Smith of Madi-
son, Wis.; Michael, who makes his home in Fitchburg, Mary Ann
the wife of Martin Price of York, Neb. and Catharine, who is Mrs.
McDermott of Madison. John was born in County Sligo, March
25, 1847, went to school when possible in Vermont and Wis-
consin, but was early obliged to earn his own way. He commenced
by working out on 'farms near home, at one time on the farm of Dr.
W. Fox at Fitchburg. After about ten years of saving and industry,
he succeeded in saving enough money to buy the farm of one hundred
and eighty acres in section 25, town of Rutland, which is now his
home. To this he added from time to time Until 'i fine farm of four
hundred and sixty acres is his present property. Mr. Kivlin carries on
a general farming business but is particularly interested in his fine
registered Shropshire sheep, with which he had been very successful.
In 1890 he bought his first imported sheep from A F. Fox. He then
imported two car-loads from Canada, and in 1905 he imported eight
Shropshires from England. In the summer of 1906 he imported fif-
teen Shropshires, nine Dorsets and nine Cheviots directly from Eng-
land. He took the second premium on a Shropshire ram. at the St.
Louis Exposit'on, and has the finest flock of sheep in America. Short-
horn cattle, Poland China and Chester White hogs and Belgian horses
are also bred on his farm. Mr. Kivlin is a Republican nominally but
not a strong party man. He believes in securing the best possible ad-
ministration of local affairs, by whichever party it is offered. Mr?.
Kivlin's parents were also' residents of Fitchburg and natives of ire-
land. She is the daughter of John and Mary McDermott and was mar-
ried to Mr. Kivlin January 23, 1870. John and Ann (McDermott) Kiv-
lin have nine children. The family have all been educated in the home
schools and are devout members of St. Mary's Catholic church of

BIOGRAPHICAL. 513

Oregon. Francis, the oldest son, is a railroad conductor of Lincoln,
Neb. ; Bernard is a prosperous farmer of Rutland ; Mary Ann, Wil-
liam, Charles, Sadie, George, Robert, Leo and Grace, are all at home.
The four youngest are students in the Brooklyn high school. Mr.
Kivlin keeps well posted on everything concerning' up-to-date farming
and in 1903 visited the Buffalo Exposition, where he obtained much
valuable information.

Michael Kivlin is entitled to recognition as one of the prominent
farmers of the town of Fitchburg, where his life since childhood has
been spent, and which has been the scene of 'his remarkably success-
ful career. He was born in Rutland, Vermont, on December 8, 1853,
and is one of five children born, to Michael and Anna (Killerlain) Kiv-
lin, both of whom were natives of Ireland and are now deceased. The
father was a farmer and fisherman in the north of Ireland, and in the
early fifties migrated, with his wife and two children, to the shores of
America. They made the journey in a sailing craft and were more
than six wefeks on the ocean. Upon their arrival in America they
located at Rutland, Vermont, where the father worked in the slate and
marble quarries near Hyd^ville and Rutland for a few years, and in
i860 he came with his family to Wisconsin. Locating in Dane
county the father worked as a common laborer for aoout two years
and then purchased forty acres of land in the town of Fitchburg, and
began general farming. He added to' his farm from, time to> time until
it comprised sixty acres at the time of his death, which occurred in
1898, the mother having died in 1897. Of the five children, John is
given a more extended mention on another page of this volume; Brid-
get married Matthew Smith, who is also given particular mention
herein; Michael is the subject of this review; Mary Ann is the wife of
Martin Priae, of York, Nebraska; and Catherine married John Mc-
Dermott, Who is given personal mention on another page. Michael
Kivlin attended the common schools in Vermont for a short time and
after the removal of the family to Wisconsin added to his scholas-
tic training in the schools at Lake View. He resided at home until
he was twenty-five years old, then worked by the month as a farm
hand until 1880, when he purchased eighty acres of land in the town
of Fitchburg and began his independent career as a general farmer.
He has added to this tract from time to< time until he now owns two
hundred and twenty acres, upon which he made all necessary improve-
ments. In politics he maintains an independent attitude, voting for
the mien and measures that meet -his unbiased approval, and his per-
sonal worth has been recognized by election to the responsible posi-
33 — iii

514 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

tion of town treasurer; and at present he is road commissioner. He
and his wife are consistent members O'f the Catholic church. Mr.
Kivlin was married in September, 1878, to Miss Kate Glennon, a
native of Philadelphia, the date of her birth being January 3, 1856.
Her parents are Edward and Ellen (Madden) Glennon, now prominent
residents of the town of Fitchburg, and she received her education at
Swan Creek. Mr. and Mrs. Kivlin are the parents of ten children:
James H., George S., Catherine A., Anna F., Millie I., Mary L.,
Eddie L., Margaret E., Vincent, and Howard M. James H. married
Anna O'Brien and resides in the town of Dunn.

Edward J. Kjolseth is the leading funeral director of the city of
St'oughton, where he also conducts a well equipped furniture es-
tablishment, in which he has a large and representative trade. He
is a native of Norway, where he was born March 6, 1866, being a
son of John P. and Karine (Ovren) Kjolseth, who immigrated to
America in 1876, making Dane county their objective point and locate
ing at Cambridge, in which village they still maintain their home.
The father owns five acres of property in the village and eleven in
Jeffeerson county, and since coming to America he has given his
attention principally to agricultural pursuits. He is a member of
the Norwegian Methodist, Episcopal church. Of their children
six attained to years of maturity, namely: Bertha (deceased wife
of N. M. Sundt), Edward J., Peter, Josephine, Martin and Sarah
(wife of Paul Wormlie). Edward J. Kjolseth was ten years ot
age at the time of the family removal to the United States, his
fundamental education having thus been secured in Norway, and
the same having been extended by attendance in the public schools
of Dane county, where he was reared to manhood. He remained
at the parental home until he had attained the age of twenty-two
years, after which he availed himself of whatever order of honor-
able employment that was presented. In 1895, in company with
others, he purchased a threshing machine, and this he operated
throughout this section for the ensuing six years. In December,
1901, he removed from Cambridge to Stoughton, where he was em-
ployed three months as salesman in a grocery, and in the spring
of 1902 he entered the employ of R. B. Page, in the furniture and
undertaking business. In 1904 he became associated with M. S.
Halverson in purchasing the business from Mr. Page, and this
alliance continued until November 14, 1905, when he disposed of
his interest in the enterprise to Mr. Halverson and at once started
an undertaking and furniture business in an independent way.
His establishment is thoroughly modern in its equipment and ac-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 515

cessories and he controls an excellent trade. In politics he is a
stanch supporter of the cause of the Republican party, and fra-
ternaly he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Norwegian
Methodist Episcopal church. May 16, 1900, Mr. Kjolseth was
united in marriage to Miss Alice Wormlie, daughter of Bernt O.
and Tomine (Paulson) Wormlie, and of this union has been born
one daughter, Karine. Mr. Kjolseth owns and occupies a hand-
some residence on Johnson Street, which he purchased April 1,
1906.

Samuel Klauber was a pioneer merchant and capitalist of Madi-
son, Wis., born December 10, 1823, at Muttersdorf, Bohemia, son of
Simon and Barbara Klauber. His father was a produce merchant in
his native town and trained the son fo>r a business career. On leav-
ing school Samuel was employed in buying goods for his father for a
time, but decided to' come to America, landing at New York, October
28, 1847. Like many of his nationality, he gained his first start in
business as an itinerant pack-peddler. He located at Lake Mills,
Wis., in 1848, where he was associated in the grocery business until
185 1, with a Mr. Brill. He then decided to go to California during
the height of the gold-fever, but was dissuaded by Mr. Michelbacher,
Who wanted him to take a stock of goods to the thriving young capi-
tal of the state, — Madison. This he did, and was ever after a resident
there. With a small capital of $300 he embarked in the merchantile
business, in a small frame store, sixteen by forty feet, employing
two clerks, and sold some $23,000 worth of goods the first year.
His business rapidly expanded, and during the seventies demanded
two large stores, employing scores of hands and transacting hundreds
of thousands of dollars worth of sales annually. In 1872 he formed
a partnership in Milwaukee under the firm name of Levi, Klauber,
Adler & Co., as dealers in dry-goods. He acquired an unquestioning
reputation for honesty and fair dealing, and has been uniformly suc-
cessful in business. In religion he was a Hebrew of the most liberal
kind; in politics he was a Whig and afterwards a Republican. He
was for a time interested in the Park Hotel of Madison. He traveled
much in Europe, was a patriotic, kindly citizen, and a genial gentle-
man. He married Miss Caroline Springer, September 10, 1854, and
the union was blessed with four children. The eldest, Moses, is the
business successor of his father, and now the president of the M. S.
Klauber Co., merchant tailors, clothiers and men's furnishers. With
a sister, Sophie, he still makes his home at the old homestead on West

516 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Wilson street. Mr. Klauber, Sr. died at his 'home in Madison, March
26, 1887.

Adelbert Klecker, who for many# years was a blacksmith in Mar-
shall, is now the owner of a farm of one hundred and twenty-two
acres, commonly known as the old Hart home, where lie has lived
since 1902. He is of German origin ; his parents, John and Jose-
phine (Worst) Klecker, were born in Hartensdorf, Germany, early
in the nineteenth century and came to America in 1853, locating
first in Jefferson county, Wis. In 1861, they came to Dane county
and obtained a farm in the town of Medina, section 35. Seven
children were born to them and are all living. The family are
members of the Roman Catholic church. Adelbert Klecker was
born in Waterloo, Jefferson county, Wis., Octaber 10, 1859, at-
tended school in Dane county and learned the blacksmith's trade,
at which he worked for eighteen years in Marshall. He then pur-
chased his present home and carries on a general farming business
raising considerable stock and also grain, hay, etc. May 17, 1883,
he married Miss Anna J. Johnson, daughter of Frank and Theresa
Johnson, natives of Germany. Mrs. Klecker was born in Ger-
many, May 15. 1865, and came to America with her parents in
1867, locating at Watertown, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson now
reside in River Falls, Wis. Six children were born to Mr. and
Mrs. Klecker ; John J. is the eldest son ; Agatha is the wife of Emil
Worst of Medina; Ida, Martha, Lewis and Dora are at home. All
were educated in the home schools and attend the German Catho-
lic church. Mr. Klecker is a Democrat and has been prominent in
school affairs, serving on the school board. He is a member of the
E. F. U.

Rev. Ignatius A. Klein, pastor of St. Joseph church of East Bris-
tol, was born in Germany September 1, 1863. His father was Frank
KUein who, with his young family came to Dane county, where the
father died August 10, 1905. The widow at present resides with her
son. Of the large family of children but three survive, these being
Rev. B. Klien of Fifield, Wis., Mrs. Hallmair of Butternut, Wis., and
Rev. Ignaties A. Klien. The last named is the subject of our sketch.
He was educated in Germany, graduating from St. Francis seminary
in 1886. His first mission was with the Pine Bluff congregation where
he was given the pastorate of St. Mary's church. During his service
a stone structure was built, being completed in 1889, largely through
his personal efforts. He remained here for eight years and during that
time built the church at Mt. Horeb and organized the congregation.
In 1895 he was transferred to East Bristol and has since been the

BIOGRAPHICAL. 517

pastor of the St. Joseph church of that place. The church has recent-
ly erected a fine school building at an expenditure of $15,000. At
present there are nearly two hundred families in his flourishing con-
gregation.

Isaac Christopher Knapton, of the town of Medina, is one of the
leading citizens of that village and actively interested in all that per-
tains ito the success and well-being of the community. He is Eng-
lish by birth and the paternal line is as follows: (1.) John Knapton.
(2.) William Knapton, born 1768, died January 25, 1845; married
Grace Huddlestone, who was born 1876 and died August 29, 1845.
(3.) William Knapton, born in Wisco Hill, West Riding, Yorkshire,
in 1797, died in Medina township, Dane, in 1858; he married Jane
Carnelley, daughter of John and Margaret (Joy) Carnelley, born in
England; in 1824 he died and his wife in 1838. Jane (Carnelley)
Knapton was born_ in Owlerton, on a farm two miles from Sheffield,
in 1801, died in Medina 1884. (4.) Isaac C. Knapton. the subject of
this sketch. William Knapton, of the third generation recorded, came
to Dane county in 1848, and settled in Medina township, on forty
acres in section 7; he also: owned one hundred sixty acres in section
17. He was a Whig in politics and afterward a Republican. He and
his wife had twelve children, of whom three died in England and
nine came to> the United States; those who died in this country are
Mary Ann, July 21, 1901 ; John, February 8, 1903; Sarah, March,
1903. Of the five sons and one sister who remain the subject of this
sketch is one. He was born December 26, 1836, near Bramhope,
Yorkshire; came to Dane with his parents in June, 1848; he received
his first schooling in the village of Otley, England, and later in the
common school of Medina township. He shared in the hardships of
the pioneer life, and for fourteen years drove a breaking team through
the virgin soil of Dane county, and has probably turned over more of
the original sod than any other man in the county. March 1, 1858,
he married Miss Mary Agnew, born November 1, 1840, in Parish
Donaghdee, County Down, Ireland, the daughter of Robert and Ann
(Perry) Agnew, who came to the United States in 1853 and the fol-
lowing year settled in Medina township; he died, from the bite of a
rattle-snake, in i860; his wife died in 1883. After his marriage Mr.
I. C. Knapton rented land, and later purchased. He owns at the
present time two- hundred and fifteen acres as the result of his own toil
and industry, — one hundred acres in one farm, and the remainder in
the other. He is a Republican and has always been actively inter-
ested in politics; has been a delegate to many conventions, among

518 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

them the two first state conventions that nominated R. M. La Fol-
lette for governor; he has served as town treasurer, and has been
assessor for ten years, and chairman of the board of supervisors from
1894-1896. He was one of the organizers of the Farmer's Mutual
Protective Fire Insurance Co., in 1875, and has since that time been
the agent for Medina. He belonged to' the Grange for twenty years
and also to the Temple of Honor. He is an attendant of the Method-
ist Episcopal church. The children born to himself and wife are Ann
Priscilla, born December 14, 1858 and died July 19,1861 ; Edward Rob-
ert, born April 28, 1861, married Annie Cripps, born in York, February
3, 1871; John, born January 20, 1867, married Annie Orton; Edith
Perry, born August 20, 1869, died September 6, 1887, aged eighteen
years and seventeen days; she had taught three terms of school; Pris-
cilla Ellen, born January 1, 1874; she taught school for five terms
before her marriage to J. A. Wood, April 6, 1895. Of the other two
brothers, one, Joshua C, has never married and lives on and owns
the old 'homestead. He was born in England, November 7, 1844; he
was a private in Company A, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteer In-
fantry, enlisting January, 1864, and serving until the close of the war.
He is a Democrat, was chairman of the town board for two years and
is now assessor. The other brother, William, owns a farm of one hund-
red and forty acres, but has retired from active work upon it and lives
in the village of Marshall. He is a Republican, has been supervisor of
Medina and served on the school board; he is a member of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church. October 16, 1853, he married Anna Fallows,
daughter of Thos. and Anne (Ashworth) Fallows, and sister of Bishop
Fallows of the Reformed Episcopal church. Tliey have had seven
children, William Thomas; Samuel F.; Anna Jane, (deceased); Emma;
George H.; Lillie May; Eva Ashworth. Mrs. Knapton was born in
Manchester, England, in 1827 and died January 12, 1902.

Eugene O. Kney, cashier of the state bank of Madison, whose
beautiful home is at 128 East Johnson street, was born in the old
province of Palatinate, Germany, December 13, 1851. Paternally
he is of French descent, his father, J. P. Kney, having been born in
Nancy, France. His mother, nee Elizabeth Kuntz, was a native
of the old Palatinate province, and of the best German stock. J. P.
Kney immigrated to Germany with his parents when but six years
of age and grew to maturity and old age in that country, where
he pursued the vocation of teacher. He was a graduate from the
college of Ka:serlautern, Germany. Both parents spent all their
lives in Germany. Eugene O. Kney was an attendant of the col-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 519

lege at Landau, Germany, and after his arrival in Madison he was
graduated from a commercial course at the business college. In
1866 he came to the United States, locating in Sauk City, Wis.,
where for four years he did clerical work in a store. On May 15,
1870, he arrived in Madison to accept a position as bookkeeper in
the state bank. He was retained in the came capacity until 1895,
and since that year has been the cashier of the bank. Politically
Mr. Kney is exceedingly independent, exercising his right of fran-
chise as his conscience and good judgment dictate. Aside from
becoming a member of the library board, of which office he is now
the incumbent, he has never allowed his name to be even men-
tioned in connection with a position of public trust. On June 20,
1873, Mr. K'ney was united in marriage to Miss Clara Hinrichs,
born in Madison of German parentage, and a daughter of Christian
and Frederica (Miller) Hinrichs. To this union have been born
four children, Bertha, the wife of Herman J. Minch of Madison ;
Paul, teller in the state bank ; Ena, at home ; and Otto, the adver-
tising manager for the Northern Electrical Manufacturing Com-
pany. All the children were born in Madison and received their
education in the same city, all being graduates of the high school.
Mr. Kney is intensely interested in music and all that pertains to
the musical development of the community. For the past twenty-
five years he has been president of the Madison Mennerchor, a
society composed of German citizens of the community interested
in music, and is now serving his thirteenth year as president oi
the Choral Union. Ever since his residence in Madison he has
been identified with the Turnverein, and at present is a member
of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. When Mr. Kney
first located in Madison it was a city of some 11,000 population
and he has been one of the most influential of its citizens in help-
ing to bring it among the foremost of municipalities of the Badger
commonwealth. Modest and retiring, but efficient and thorough
in all that he does, he is the type of citizen who adds materially to
the refinement and culture of his home connmunity.

Henry Knudson of the town of Perry is the owner of a valuable
and well-equipped farm -of two hundred twenty-five acres. With his
father, Knudt Enderson, and mother. Marit (Helgerson) Enderson,
he came to the United States when he was a boy of nine years.
Knudt and his wife were natives of Norway and came to Wisconsin
with their family in 1867. At first Mr. Enderson worked out as a farm-
hand but soon bought eighty acres in Perry township which he set
to work to clear and improve. Here he lived for several years but

520 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

in the meantime his son Henry had purchased a tract of land which
also had to be cleared and cultivated and as it was the more promising
farm of the two, Mr. Enderson sold his property and made his home
with his son. Together they improved the property and here Mr.
Enderson died in 1899 and his wife in 1891. Five children were born
to them; Henry; Inger, who is Mrs. Hagan of St. Croix count}-;
Eric, who lives in Minnesota ; Anton who lives in the town of Perry ;
John, who lives in Minnesota. Henry was born in Valders, Norway,
May 12, 1858, attended school for a few years after the family came
to Perry but began to earn his own living when he was fourteen years
of age. In 1883 he bought one hundred sixty acres adjoining his
present home and has added more and more until he now has a fine
large farm. He was married Oct. 20, 1888, to Miss Bertha Syverud,
who was born in Norway in March, 1863, daughter of Ole Syverud.
Four children were born to the marriage ; Rose Mabel and Ida Amelia
reside with their parents; Albert and an infant child are deceased.
Mrs. Knudscn has three younger sisters and a brother. Anna is Mrs.
Torger Dakken of Perry ; Nels resides in Mount Horeb ; Mary mar-
ried Hans Biornstad of Perry ; Tonita is also married and lives in Nor-
way. The family is identified with the Norwegian Lutheran church.
Mr. Knudson is a Republican in his political sympathies.

Anton Knudtson is a well known and prosperous farmer of the
town of Perry, son of Knudt and Mary Anderson, natives of Nor-
way, who came to the United States in 1866. Their first home
was in Blue Mounds and Mr. Anderson worked as a farm-hand
for a short time. As soon as he was able Mr. Anderson purchased
a farm of eighty acres in the town of Perry and lived there ten
years, finally selling it to hys oldest son Henry. Mr. A'nderson
died in 1892. Anton was born in Blue Mounds February 21, 1870,
attended the district school in Perry and after his father's death
lived with his brother Henry until 1897. For some years he was
employed as a farm hand and then bought one hundred and sixty
acres of farm land in the town of Perry, where he lived but two
years. This property he sold and for nine years rented another
farm. In the autumn of 1905 Mr. Knudtson bought his present
homestead, a farm of one hundred and thirty-four acres, and there
carries on a successful farming business. Mr. Knudtson's oldest
brother Henry lives on the old homestead; Eric resides in Minne-
■ sota ; Ona married Mr. Hagan ; John also lives in Minnesota. De-
cember 4, 1894, Mr. Knudtson married Miss Alena Desrud, born
in Blue Mounds, January 12, 1875, daughter of Ole N. and Andrea
Desrud. There were eight children in the Desrud family. Mrs.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 521

Desrud died in 1901 and the family live in Rice Lake, Wis. Six
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Knudtson ; Minnie Alberta,
Julia Elinore, Olin Clifford, Edwin Norman, James Alford and
Agnes Americe. The family are members of the Norwegian Lu-
theran church. Mr. Knudtson is allied with the Republican party
in his political sympathies.

Ole Knudtson of the town of Perry has been a farmer ever since
he was a boy. He was born in Telemarken, Norway, April 23,
1852, son of Knudt and Margit Olson. Knudt Olson died when
his son Ole was but a little lad and Ole began to help his mother
when he was eight years old. He had no opportunity to attend
school and was employed first as a shepherd boy and later at gen-
eral farm work. In 1862, Mrs. Olson brought her young family
to the United States and located on a farm in the town of Pleasant
Springs which was their home until 1882 when they came to
Perry, where Mrs. Olson now lives with her son Ole. During
the first years of his life in America Ole worked out for the farmers
of his neighborhood and after a long period of hard work, most of
it in the interests of his mother and sisters and brothers, he was
able to purchase a farm of two hundred acres, which lies in the
town of Perry. Ole is the only survivor of the family of four
children. May 8, 1875, he married Miss Helena Knudtson; who
was born in the town of Pleasant Springs, March 4, 1850, daughter
of Knudt Knudtson and Rachel (Brount) Knudtson, who were
both born in Norway. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Knudtson : Carrie Maria, widow of Victor Jensen ; Richard ; Clara
Matilda ; Carl ; and James Alfred. Mr. Knudtson sold one hundred
acres of his farm and retains the remaining one hundred acres for
his homestead. He has been successful in his business and has
made his way in spite of early hardships and poverty, by means
of his own determination and pluck. He is associated with the
Republican party and attends the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Theodore Koch is one of the prosperous farmers and dairymen
of Cross Plains township, and his success is the more gratifying to re-
cord from the fact that he is a native son of Dane county, where he
has been identified with agricultural pursuits from his boyhood to
the present. He was born in Berry township, this county, August
18, i860, and is a son of Matthew and Mary Ann (Schmoll) Koch,
both native of Germany, where the}' were reared and educated and
where their marriage was solemnized, the father having learned the
trade of wagonmiaking when a young man. They came to America
in 1849, forthwith making their way to Dane county, Wisconsin.

522 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Matthew Koch secured two hundred acres of wild land, in Berry
township, a small clearing having been made and a rude log house
erected. He reclaimed the place into one of the valuable farms of the
county and was one of the reliable and substantial citizens of the
township, continuing to reside on his homestead until his death, Jan-
uary 6, 1898, his devoted wife having been called to the life eternal
on March 20, 1880. Both were communicants of the St. Francis
Catholic church. In politics he was a Democrat. They became the
parents of nine children, eight of whom are living, namely: William,
John and Henry (twins), Frederick, Kate, Theodore, Frank and Jo-
seph. Theodore Koch attended the district schools in a somewhat ir-
regular way during his boyhood and youth and early began to' aid in
the work of the home farm, with whose improvement and manage-
ment he was identified until he was about thirty years of
age, having continued to reside on the home farm about nine
years after he had married. He then purchased his present farm
of one hundred and eighty acres, in section 7, Cross Plains township,
buying the property of Joachim Schultz. Here 'he has a well im-
proved and well kept farmstead, and his attention is given to diver-
sified agriculture, to the dairy business and to such raising of various
kinds of livestock as is consistent with other departments of the farm
enterprise. He is a Democrat in politics but has never sought or held
office and both he and his wife are communicants of the St. Francis
Catholic church, holding membership in the parish at Cross Plains
village. Mr. Koch has been industrious and progressive and has
met with well merited success, while he has never failed to gain the
respect of those with whom he has had dealings. October 14, 1880,
he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Michaels, daughter of
John and Gertrude (Smith) Michaels, the former of whom was born
in Germany and the latter in the state of New York, while they now
reside in the village of Pine Bluff, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Koch
have five children: Gertrude M., Anna M., Margaret M., Henritte M.
and Frederick T.

Joseph H. Koltes, a prominent lumber dealer and the vice-presi-
dent' of the Waunakee state bank, at Waunakee, is one of the
stanch German citizens of Westport township. He was born in
Springfield township, Dane county, November 26, 1862. and is the
son of Michael and Helen (Fischer) Koltes both of whom were
born (:n Germany, the former on April 2, 1828, and the latter in
May, 1827. The parental grandfather was Ptter Koltes and the
maternal ancester of the same degree was William Fischer, both
of whom spent their lives in the Fatherland, the latter dying in

BIOGRAPHICAL. 523

1834. The wife of William Fischer was Adalhaeide Klosterhalfer,
who was born at Kerben, Prussia, December 31, 1790, and died
October 14, 1889, at Waunakee, Wis,, having lived fifty-five years
a widow. She came to Dane county in 1852 and settled in Spring-
field township, making the trip from Milwaukee with oxen.
Michael Koltes, father of the subject of this review, grew to man-
Tiood in Germany, and received his education in the excellent
schools of that country. Realizing the greater opportunities to
be enjoyed in the western hemisphere he migrated to America,
and in March, 1853, came to Springfield townsh:p, Dane county,
where he took up his abode on a farm and continued to reside
there until 1866. In that year he located on a farm in Westport
township, and continued the occupation of a farmer until 1879,
when he changed his residence to the village of Waunakee and for
three years conducted a butcher shop. In 1881 he also engaged in
the lumber business and was so employed until 1886, when he re-
tired from active participation in affairs. He is an extensive land
owner, possessing about six hundred acres, and also owns consid-
erable village property in Waunakee, where he lives, enjoying the
fruits of a well spent and industrious life. He was married, Janu-
ary 4, 1855, to Miss Helen Fischer, of Springfield township, and
more than fifty years of happy wedded life has been the good
fortune of this honored and respected couple. On January 4, 1905,
they had the comparatively rare pleasure of celebrating the fiftieth
anniversary of their marriage in a happy golden weddmg. They
are the parents of four children, viz : Mrs. Jos. Dorn of Westport
township; Mrs. John Miller, of Springfield, township; Joseph H.,
who is the subject of this sketch, and Mrs. P. R. R:phahan of
Waunakee. In political faith Michael Koltes is a Democrat, has
served as supervisor, and was school district treasurer for a num-
ber of years. Joseph H. Koltes, our immediate subject, was edu-
cated in the common schools of Springfield township and in the
Waunakee graded schools ; and in the Catholic parochial schools
of Madison. After leaving school he worked in the butcher shop
for his father about two years, and then for one year was in the
meat business for himself. In 1883 he engaged in the lumber busi-
ness at Waunakee, with his father, meeting with good success, and
although other interests demand a portion of his time and atten-
tion, he has been closely identified with the lumber industry for a
period of twenty years. He was also an extensive buyer and
shipper of horses for about two years. In 1887 he engaged in the
mercantile business with P. R. Riphahan, and in 1890 the latter

524 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

became a partner of Mr. Koltes in the lumber business. In Marchr
1905, the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Riphahan taking the mer-
cantile business and Mr. Koltes the lumber interests of the firm.
From 1890 to 1892 Lawrence Freney was also connected in busi-
ness with Messrs. Koltes and Riphahan, during which time the
firm name was Koltes. Riphahan & Freney. Besides other busi-
ness interests, Mr. Koltes owns one hundred and sixty acres of
land in South Dakota. He was one of the organizers of the
Waunakee state bank, and at present holds the position of vice
president of the same. In politics he is a Democrat, and that his
personal worth and efficiency have been recognized is proven by
the positions of trust which he has held. He has been one of the
trustees of the village of Waunakee for two years, and for seven
years a member of the county board of supervisors, representing
the village in which he resides. He has been treasurer of the
school board for ten years, at present being the incumbent of that
position, and for one year he also held the office of treasurer of
Westport township. He and his family are members of the Cath-
olic church, which is also true of Mr. Koltes' parents, mentioned
above. On February 11, 1885, Mr. Koltes was married to Miss
Mary Josephine Tierney, who was born in Westport, December 4,
1862. She is the daughter of John H. and Brdget (Malone)
Tierney, both natives of Ireland, who came to Dane county and
settled on the farm where they now reside, in Westport township.
Mr. Tierney is a very prominent and worthy citizen, in politics a
Democrat, has been for thirteen years chairman of the township
board, and a few years ago was a member of the Wisconsin leg's-
lature. He and family are also members of the Catholic church.
Joseph H. Koltes and wife are the parents of the following chil-
dren: Edward M.. Harry J., Ida A., Raphael P., Grace D., Cath-
arine C. (died at the age of three months), Florence J., and
Eleanor M.

Andrew N. Korrison is a well known citizen of Morrisonville,
where he has lived since 1903, and has always been occupied with
farming. His father, Xels Korrison, was born in Leardal, Norway,
November 17, 1824, was educated in the common schools and there
married to Miss Ann Tolifson, who was a native of the same place,
born in 1829. They made their home in Leardal, until 1855 and then
came to America, continuing their journey as far west as Dane county,
Wisconsin. After a short time spent in that locality, they moved to
the township of Elba, Dodge county, Wis., which was their home until
the year 1878. At that time they came to Morrisonville, where Mrs.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 525

Korrison died in 1896 and her husband is still living, eighty-two years
of age. Mr. Korrison has always been a farmer except for the few
years he spent in the army at the time of the Civil War. He is a
veteran of the Union army, having enlisted in September, 1861 as a
private in Company H of the Tenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.
He received a wound in his right leg, from which he suffered a great
deal but was not mustered out until April, 1863. Nels Korrison is a
Republican in his political affiliations. With his wife and family he
attended the Norwegian Lutheran church. The family numbered
eleven sons and daughters, of whom four daughters and two sons are
now living. Andrew N. was born in the town of Elba, November 9,
1857, attended the schools of Danville, Dodge county and early en-
gaged in farming. He built up an extensive farming business which
he carried on for a number of years and in 1903 came to Morrison-
ville to live, where he owns a substantial and attractive residence.
Mr. Korrison is allied with the Republican party in his political sym-
pathies but does not devote miuch time to active participation in poli-
tical affairs. August 15, 1886, he married Miss Maria Hoist ot
Peoria, 111., and one son, John Henry, was born to them. Mrs. Kor-
rison died and in April, 1900, Mr. Korrison married Miss Julia Thon,
daughter of J. H. Thori, (elsewhere mentioned). Mr. and Mrs. Kor-
rison are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Charles Korrison, a prominent business man of Morrisonville,
was born at Danville, Dodge county, September 7, 1863. His father,
Nels Korrison, is mentioned in this work. He received his education
in his native village, and his early life and the first years of his young
manhood were spent upon the farm. In 1885, he came to Madison
where he worked as an engineer for five years; following this he
learned the trade of the painter which he has since followed, and has,
in that line built up an extensive business. In 1891, he married
Miss Carrie Grove, of Morrisonville, and they have two children,
Elmer, born January 7, 1892, and Clarence Levi, born January 30,
1898. His church affiliations are with the Norway Grove church,
and his political alliance with the Republican party. Mrs. Korrison's
parents, Eric and Carrie (Oleson) Grove came to Morrisonville about
forty years ago, where Mr. Grove practiced his trade as shoemaker.
They had four children, all of whom are living. He was a Repub-
lican in politics, and all of the family are connected with the Norway
Grove Lutheran church. Mr. Grove died in Morrisonville and his
widow still makes her home in that village.

George Kraft, Sr., a leading plumber of Madison, was born in
Bavaria, Germany, August 13, 1860. His parents were John and

526 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Anna Maria (Jordan) Kraft, natives of Germany. The father died
in the land of his nativity in 1886 at the age of fifty-eight. The
mother died some fifteen years earlier in her forty-second year.
George Kraft received his education in the schools of Germany and
in 1880 started for America, his objective point being Madison.
Upon his arrival here he went to work for Thomas Regan at the
plumbers' trade. After an apprenticeship of seven years he opened
a shop of his own and his been engaged in that business ever since.
Probably without an exception there is no more skilled workman
in the city today than is Mr. Kraft. The quality of his labor
has been such as to cause a demand for it from all sides, and as a
result he has equipped the majority of the public buildings and a
large number of houses, not only with the plumbing apparatus,,
but also with the heating attachments. In October, 1880, he mar-
ried Eva, daughter of Adam and Anna Marie (Spahn) Scholl,
natives of Germany. Mrs. Kraft was the only member of her
family who ever came to America. To Mr. and Mrs. Kraft have
been born e'ght children ; George, Jr., and Charles are employed
by their father; Anna, Louis. William, Mary, Caroline, and Joseph,,
all at home. The family are members of the German Catholic
church. Air. Kraft is a member of the Catholic Foresters.

Paul Krakow, a respected farmer of the town of Deerfield, and
residing now in the village of Deerfield was born at Woltersdorf,
near Stettin, Germany, December 2, 1868. He was the eldest son of
August Krakow and his second wife, Augusta Arndt, natives of Ger-
many. In 1886 August Krakow brought his wife and family to Amer-
ica, coming directly to Jefferson county. For four years he worked by
the day at any job that offered and then rented a farm in Dane county
for two years. When his lease ran out he returned to Jefferson county
and rented another farm, which he worked until his death in 1899,
leaving a widow and nine children. Paul Krakow remained with the
father's family until he was twenty-seven years old and then started
life for himself by buying the farm on which he now lives. Despite
the fact that ill health and misfortune have been his lot for several
years he has kept cheerful and worked hard, and with the help of his
wife, has freed the farm of debt and made many improvements. Plis
is a record of which to be proud. In politics he is a Republican ; in
religion a Moravian. He united in marriage with Anna, daugh-
ter of William and Ida (Punzel) Liebenow, natives of Stendel, Ger-
many. Mrs. Krakow was born November 2, 1870, and received her
education in the public schools of Jefferson county. To Paul and
Anna Krakow have been born five children, — Herbert Paul, Septem-.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 527

ber 30, 1897; Esther May, September 11, 1898; Gertrude Dorothy,
August 12, 1900; Carl August, October 3, 1902; and Paul William,
March 19, 1904. Because of ill-health and for the better educational
advantages offered the children, Mr. Krakow sold his farm of ninty-
six acres and moved into Deerfield village on March 4, 1906.

Lars C. Kravick has been prominent among Dane county farm-
ers for a number of years and is the owner of a fine property in the
town of Christiania. His father, Halvor L., was born in Numme-
dahl, Norway, and came to Wisconsin in 1843. He married Miss
Christina Christopherson, who came with her parents in 1842, from
the same place in Norway. They were married in October, 1845, and
commenced their life together on a farm of forty acres of government
land obtained by Mr. Kravick in the township of Christiania. Here
they built a log house and later replaced it by a substantial stone
dwelling. Some years later another tract of land was added to the
farm and many improvements made. For many years Mr. Kravick
served on the town board, was also an active worker in school affairs
and those of the Norwegian Lutheran church. He was always a
stanch Republican. Lars C. is the od-est of their children; Martin
C. has a farm in section 36, town of Christiania; Ellen (deceased)
married Rev. O. Lockensegard, principal of the high school at Madi-
son, Minn, to whom two* children, Olaf and Camille, were born.
Maria is the wife of the Rev. K. A. Kasburg of Riceford, Minn.; Hal-
vor and his wife lived for about six years in Stoughton and left there
to join their daughter, Airs. Kasburg, in Grand Forks, N. Dak., hav-
ing made Minneapolis and more recently Riceford, Minn., their home.
Lars O, the subject of this sketch, was born in the town of Christi-
ania October 20, 1853, received his education at the home school and
the Albion academy and assisted his father with the work of the farm.
In 1876 he married Miss Johanna Christianson, who came to Wiscon-
sin from Hedemarken, Norway in 1873. Her mother, Olga (Esark-
son) Paulson came in 1888. Miss Christianson's father, Christian
Paulson, died in Norway. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Kravick. Herman C. is a merchant at Cambridge and married Lena
Onsgard; Ludwig, a graduate from Valparaiso' College, Ind., and also
a student of the Milwaukee Medical college, is engaged in the drug
business at Springfield, Wis.; Osvald is deceased; Charlotte is the wife
of the superintendent of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company for
North Chicago and has two children, Junice R. C. and Norris L. J.;
Lydia resides with her parents and attends the Stoughton high school;
Asora, Arthur and Nina reside with their parents and attend the Al-
bion academv; Elvin I. attends the home school. Mr. and Mrs. Kra-

528 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

vick live on the old Kravick farm which consists of one hundred and
twenty acres. They are prominent in the East Synod Lutheran
church, of which Mr. Kravick has been secretary for many years. Mr
Kravick is a Republican in political sympathy and has been super-
visor, chairman of the town board, poor commissioner for several
years and asylum trustee for six years. He is also president of the
Hillside farmer's creamery.

Felix A. Kremer, supreme president of the Defenders and senior
vice commander of the Sons of Veterans, was born near Mount
Carroll, 111., October 18, 1872. His parents, John M. and Josephine
(Fischer) Kremer, were both born in Germany, but were married
in Freeport, 111. The paternal grandfather of the subject of this
sketch was collector of customs at one of the large German ports.
John M. Kremer came to America in 1848, the passage taking
fifty-eight days, and went to work at the bookbinders' trade in
Mount Carroll. Before the railroads had entered that section of
the country he carried mail between Mount Carroll, Fulton and
Morrison. During the Civil War he served as quartermaster's
clerk in an Illinois regiment and after the close of hostilities re-
turned to farming in Carroll county, 111. He was a fine Imguist.
speaking French, German and English fluently. His death oc-
curred December 18, 1900. Though a member of no church he
and his wife were regular attendants at some religious service and
were upright Christian characters. The wife and mother is still
living, making her home on the old farm in Carroll county. There
were nine children in the family. Herman W. is a leading farmer
and stock raiser in Carroll county. 111.; Felix A. is the subject of
this sketch ; Clara M. is a teacher in the Bozeman, Montana,
schools ; Frank is a ranchman in Gallatin county, Montana ;
Harry D. is an attorney of Bozeman ; William J. is a ranch owner
in Gallatin county, Montana; John H. is a student in the Univer-
sity of Montana; Lucy is attending the public schools of Boze-
man ; and Charles D., a young man with a brilliant future, was
accidently shot in 1895 while hunting. Felix A. Kremer received
his early education in the common schools. From the time he fin-
ished his schooling until he reached his majority he labored on his
father's farm. With the money he had saved he attended the
northern Illinois college of law at Fulton, and in 189G was admitted
to practice in the Illinois courts. From 189G until 1899 he prac-
ticed law and taught school, incidentally doing some work with
fraternal insurance. In the latter year he was elected state man-
ager for Wisconsin of the Mystic Workers of the World. When

BIOGRAPHICAL. 529

Mr. Kremer entered the insurance business he discovered the bad
features of the business and became interested in working out
some form of society or policy which would not only give protec-
tion at the time of death but would provide relief in case of acci-
dent, disability or old age. With this plan as a working principle
he organized The Defenders and on January 28, 1905, incorporated
the society, which is destined to become a great institution as
it is the pioneer for reform in life insurance. Fraternally he is a
well known, being identified with fifteen fraternal orders. He is
a Mason, a member of the Eastern Star, Knights of Pythias, Rath-
bone Sisters, Modern Woodmen. Mystic Workers, Royal Neigh-
bors, Sons of Veterans, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and other or-
ganizations. When he took the thirty-second degree in Masonry
he was selected as orator of his class. He owns eleven hundred
acres of land in Wisconsin and is deeply interested in agricultural
pursuits. Through his work in the farmers' institutes he has
gained a reputation among the rural communities that is state
wide. On different occasions he has been asked to deliver Me-
morial Day, Fourth of July and other addresses. During the last
three presidential elections he has "taken the stump" for the Re-
publican party, of which he is a zealous and active member. Mr.
Kremer says that some of the best insights into life which he ever
had were received while editing a country paper and again while
selling books. He is unmarried. He is a fine example of a "self-
made" man and has deservedly gained a position in the commercial
and social life of the community of which he may well feel proud.
Rev. Gnusten G. Krostu, the subject of this sketch, was born on
March 3, i860, in Waupaca county, Wisconsin. His early education
he received in the district schools of Waupaca county and at the Wau-
paca high school. He continued his studies at Luther college, Decorah,
Iowa, 1878-1880 and at the University of Wisconsin 1880-1881. In
1882 he took up the study of theology at the Lutheran Seminary in
Madison, Wis., where he studied, 1882-1884, and in the fall of 1884 he
entered Capital University, Columbus, Ohio, where he was graduated
from the theological department May 22, 1885. August 16, the same
year, he was ordained to the min'strv by the Ohio Synod at "Grace
Church" Columbus, Ohio. He came at once to Dane county where
he Has ever since had charge of the East and West Koshkonong and
Liberty Prairie Churches of the United Norwegian Lutheran church.
He resides in the original home of the pastor of this district. It was
built 1844, rebuilt in 1852 and 1867. It is the oldest Norwegian par-
sonage in America. It is located near the village of Utica.
34— iii

530 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

June 24, 1887 he was married to Miss Clara Augnes Hartmann of
Amherst, Wisconsin, a daughter of Richard and Wilhelmina Hart-
mann, who came from Saxony, Germany, to Wisconsin in 1853. Eight
children were born to the marriage. The oldest daughter, Lydia,.
and the only son, Loy, attend St. Olaf College at Northfield, Minn.
Seda, Franciska, Paulina and Glades are at home and two children
died in infancy. Rev. G. G. Krostu has the use of a farm of ninety
acres which belongs to his churches, and which he manages suc-
cessfully in spite of his manifold church duties. His parents, Gun-
sten T. and Sigrid Krostu came from Norway to Wisconsin in 1850.
They were among the first settlers in Waupaca county where they
have been residing ever since. They raised a large family of chil-
dren— four sons and three daughters — all living in Waupaca county,
except the subject of this sketch.

David A. Lackey is a well known farmer of the town of York,
the son of one of Dane county's pioneers and a native of York.
The family is of Scotch descent the wife and eleven children of
Hugh Lackey all came to the United States. Three of lis sons
are living, — all residing in Wisconsin, — Thomas in Williams Bay,
Hugh in Elkhorn, and Robert in Milwaukee. Their brother Archi-
bald, father of David A., was born March 1, 1820, came to Wiscon-
sin with the family and lived for a time in Walworth county.
There he married Miss Mary Kennedy, who was born in Scotland in
1823 and came to Dane county in 1855. They subsequently came
to York, purchased an eighty-acre farm and proceeded to clear and
improve it. From time to time he enlarged the farm until at his
death in 1891, it consisted of one hundred and eighty acres. Mr.
Lackey was a Republican in politics but never active in political
affairs. He and his family belonged to the Methodist Episcopal
church. His family of five sons and daughters are all living, sev-
eral in Dane county. David Lackey lives on the old homestead,
where he was born June 2, 1862. He attended the district school
and the York Center graded school and lias always engaged in the
business of farming. His experience of many years in the bus'ness
and his habit of keeping posted on all which concerns it has made
him successful and he owns besides his homestead an eighty-acre
farm in Taylor county, Wisconsin. He makes a spec'alty of Dur-
ham cattle and Poland China hogs. Mr. Lackey is a Republican and
active in the political world. For several years he served as clerk
of the town and as assessor. December 16, 1891, he married Miss
Hattie May Montgomery, who was born in York in 1872 and is the
daughter of Cyrus and Mary (Webber) Montgomery. Mr. Mont-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 531

gomery came to York from Vermont in the early days, was a
farmer there for many years and has now retired, making his home
in Waterloo. Air. and Mrs. Lackey have one daughter, Gladys
May, born in 1900. The family is connected with the Methodist
Episcopal church and Mr. Lackey is a member of the Waterloo
Lodge, No. 63, F. & A. M.

Nels A. Ladd, Mr. Lyons' partner in the conduct of the Lion
Laundry, was born March 11, 1870, in Pleasant Springs town, Dane
county. His parents were Erick E. and Bertina (Olson) Ladd.
both natives of Norway, where the father was a farmer. In 1852
he came to Wisconsin, settling on the farm in Pleasant Springs,
where he lived until his death, which occurred June 4, 1895, while
he was in the sixty-sixth year of his age. All during his life he
was an active Democrat, and as such was twice elected county
treasurer, in 1890 and in 1892. Both he and his wife were mem-
bers of the Norwegian Lutheran church. The wife is still living
on the old farm in the town of Pleasant Springs, and although she
is nearly e'ghty years of age she retains wonderful possession of
all her faculties. There were six children in the Ladd family,
Mary, Mrs. Hans Ivers of the town of Albion ; Eric, a machinist in
Stoughton ; Carrie, Mrs. Thomas Peterson, of Wallace, Id. ; Susan,
Mrs. A. J. Lillesand of Stoughton ; Julia, Mrs. A. T. Townsend,
whose husband is a machinist in Stoughton ; and Nels A., the sub-
ject of this sketch. The last named received his education in the
common schools of the district and graduated from Albion Academy
with the class of 1889. After the father's election to office Nels
came to Madison to assist him, and while here took advantage of
the educational advantages offered and was graduated from the
law department of the state university with the class of 1896. He
began the practice at once and continued in it successfully until
1905, when he entered the laundry bus'ness with Michael L. Lyons.
Like his father Mr. Ladd has taken an active interest in the Demo-
cratic politics of the city and county. In 1902 he was the nominee
of his party for the office of assemblyman from the Madison dis-
trict, but went down to defeat before the Republican landslide of
that year. He has been for five years and is now the chairman of
the Democratic county committee. Fraternally Mr. Ladd is a
member of the Knights of Pythias and is at present vice grand
chancellor of the state ; he is also a past grand ruler of the Benevo-
lent and Protective Order of Elks, Madison Lodge, No. 416, and
has represented that lodge in the conclaves in New Orleans, x\t-
lantic City and Salt Lake City. For five years he was head coun-

532 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

sellor of Jurisdiction D of the Woodmen of the World, comprising
the states of Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin, and is
now serving as a member of the board of fire and pol'ce commis-
sioners of the city of Madison. On February 6, 1896, he married
Miss Christena, daughter of J. H. and Henrietta Huppeler, natives
of Germany. Mr. Huppeler has since died, but his wife is living
in Muscoda, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Ladd have one child, Vera, now
eight years of age.

Will J. Ladwig is the owner of a large farm in the town of Me-
dina and the son of an old resident of Dane county. Martin Lad-
wig, his father, was born in Germany in 1819, was educated in
Germany and there married to Miss Christina Harman, also a
native of Germany, born in 1822. They came to America in 1861
and made their home for a time in Waterloo, Jefferson county,
Wisconsin. In 1865, Mr. Ladwig purchased a farm in the town
of Medina which became the permanent home of the family. He
now, at the age of eighty-seven years, lives with his son August
Ladwig, at Lowell, Wisconsin. Mrs. Ladwig died in 1890. Their
family of five children are all living. Mr. Ladwig was a Republi-
can and interested in politics. He and his wife attended the
Methodist Episcopal church. Will J. Ladwig was born July 4,
1857. in Germany and was brought by his parents to the United
States when he was a little lad. He attended school in Dane
county and assisted his father on the new farm in Medina. He
has had many years of experience as a farmer and owns and super-
vises a farm of two hundred acres. Particular attention is given
to the breeding of registered Poland China hogs, with one of
which, Black No. 79099, Mr. Ladwig took first premium at the
Beaver Dam fair. Like his father, Mr. Ladw'g is a member of
the Republican party and takes an active interest in local politics.
In 1885, he married Miss Catherine Naupert, who is the daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. John Naupert, early settlers of Jefferson county,
where their daughter was born. Mr. and Mrs. Ladwig have had
three children; the oldest son, Arthur is deceased; Elma and
Arnie are the younger ones, who live at home and attend the home
schools. The family is associated with the Methodist Episcopal
church.

Philip A. Laeser, of Sun Prairie, is one of a family of eight chil-
dren, all American born, of Bavarian parentage. His father,
John Michael Laeser. and his mother, Anna E. (Fisher) Laeser, as
well as his paternal grandparents, Michael Laeser and his wife, and
his maternal grandparents, Philip and Anna E. Fisher, were all

BIOGRAPHICAL. 533

among the early settlers of Dane. The elder Laesers came to Ore-
gon and spent the remainder of their lives there, dying at the ad-
vanced ages of eighty-six and eighty years. Mr. Fisher and his
family came in 1850, and after a year spent in New York came on
to Columbia county, and afterward moved to Sun Prairie, where he
now resides, his wife having died in that place in 1897. Philip
Laeser received the rudiments of his education in the common
schools and was graduated from the high school of Sun Prairie in
1892. He kept books for a short time in Madison, but soon entered
upon the active life of a farmer. He has over two hundred and
forty acres of land which is used for general farming and stock
raising. He is a Democrat and a Catholic, as his father was before
him, and he is now serving his fourth term as town clerk of Sun
Prairie. Mr. Laesers parents were married in Madison, and set-
tled first in the town of Roxbury, where the subject of this sketch
was born, February 13, 1874, and where he now resides, — and later
came to Sun Prairie township, settling on the farm now owned by
their son Philip, and in the latter place, Mr. J. M. Laeser died in
1880; his widow, aged sixty-two, lives in Sun Prairie. Of the
eight children, five are living. On September 23, 1902, Philip A.
Laeser and Emma M. Mader were married. She is the daughter of
Nicholas P. and Gertrude (Niederprim) Mader, and was born at
Genoa Junction, October 18, 1884. The father was born in Flea-
senlrine, Germany, March 26, 1860, and his wife in Kenosha, but
at the time of their daughter's marriage they were residents of Sun
Prairie, where they still live. The parental grandparents of Mrs.
Laeser were of German birth, and came to Kenosha in 1861. There
Mr. Theodore Mader died October 2, 1882, and his wife, Margaret
(Shackmut) Mader in 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Laeser have one daugh-
ter, Arabella Gertrude.

Robert Marion La Follette, three times governor of Wisconsin,
and now junior United States senator, is a native of the state, hav-
ing been born in a log cabin in the town of Primrose. Dane county,
Wisconsin, June 14. 1855, of French Huguenot ancestry. He
worked on a farm and attended district school, until he was nine-
teen, when he came to Madison. After some preparatory training
in a private academy he entered the University of Wisconsin in
1875, and was graduated four years later with the celebrated class
of 1879, of which his wife, Belle (Case) La Follette, and President
Charles R. Van Hise are other distinguished members. While in
the university he took an active part in the work of the literary
societies, and was noted for his oratorical and dramatic ability.

534 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

He represented the Athenaean society at the junior oratorical
contest, and the following year was the winner of the oratorical
contest at the university, the state contest, and the ensuing inter-
state oratorical contest at Iowa City. He was editor and part
owner of the University Press. The year of his graduation he
married his classmate, Miss Belle Case, who was likewise noted
for her oratorical ability, and a winner of the Lewis prize for the
best commencement oration. She afterwards studied law, and
was the first woman to graduate from the university law school.
In addition to her charming social qualities, she has been the in-
tellectual helpmate of her distinguished husband. After gradua-
tion Mr. La Follette entered the law school of his alma mater but
attended lectures for only one term and then passed the state ex-
aminations for admission to the bar, and immediately opened an
office in the city of Madison. From 1881-85 he served as district
attorney of Dane county, and from 1885 to 1891, he represented the
then third Wisconsin district in the 49th, 50th and 51st congresses,
and was the youngest member of the house at the time of his en-
trance. His brilliant powers as a public debater soon brought him
into prominence, and as a member of the committee on ways and
means, he ass'sted in framing the "McKinley" tariff bill in 1890.
He was especially charged with drafting the schedules on farm
products, tobacco, linen and silk, and was also a member of the
sub-committee which framed the iron and steel schedules. On his
retirement from congress in 1891, he resumed the active practice
of law at Madison, as the senior member of the firm of La Follette,
Harper, Roe & Zimmerman. This partnership was dissolved in
1894, since which time he has been alone in the practice. In addi-
tion to his work as a busy and successful lawyer for the succeeding
ten years, he continued to take a keen interest in public affairs,
and was prominent in the councils of the Republican party. He
was especially active in promoting a reform movement in Wis-
consin, and advocated the adoption of a primary election law, the
merit system with reference to holding public office, a law pro-
hibiting the giving or receiving of railroad passes, the establish-
ment of a railway rate commission for the state regulation of rail-
way rates, and fiercely denounced what he termed the "Political
Machine." In 1896 he was a delegate to the Republican national
convention at St. Louis, where he was a member of the committee
on resolutions. In 1897 he delivered an address at the University
of Chicago on the "Menace of the Machine ;" the following year,
at the University of Michigan, one on the "Nomination of Candi-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 535

dates by the Australian Ballot ;'' and at Milwaukee, before the State
Agricultural Society, one on "Dangers that Threaten Representa-
tive Government." He was the candidate of the "reform" ele-
ment of his party for the nomination for governor in 1896 and 1898,
and was a persistent advocate of his reform policies before state
and county agricultural fairs and similar gatherings, both in Wis-
consin and in neighboring states. In 1900 he received the Republi
can nomination for governor, and his plurality of 102,745 was the
largest ever received by a candidate for that office. He was re-
elected in 1902 by a plurality of 47,599, and again in 1904 by a
plurality of 50,952. He was elected, while serving his third term
as governor, to the United States senate to succeed J. V. Quarles
for the term beginning March 4, 1905.

Peter Lahm, Sr., retired, living at 743 East Johnson street, was
born in Germany, June 22, 1837. His parents were John and
Elizabeth (Horlander) Lahm, the father a farmer who saw three
years' service in the Prussian war. The father died at the age ot
sixty-five years, and the mother six weeks later. Of the five chil-
dren in the family three are living, Catherine. Mrs. Frank Gans of
Milwaukee ; Christena, Mrs. David Holler, resides in the town of
Lake, Milwaukee county ; and Peter, Sr., the subject of this sketch ;
Anna is deceased. Peter received his education in the public
schools of Germany and before coming to America was engaged
in farming with his father. In 1855 he landed in New York, and
for the following thirteen years made New Brunswick, N. J., his
home. In 1868 he came to Madison, and the following year en-
gaged in the drayage business, which he followed successfully until
his retirement in 1890. On August 17, 1862, he married Elizabeth,
daughter of William and Clara (Funk) Gunzelman. Mrs. Lahm
was born in Germany. April 28, 1841, and came to this country,
settling in Woodbr'dge, N. J., with her parents in 1851. She was
one of seven children. Bartholmew, deceased ; Mary, Mrs. John
Mack, deceased ; Margaret, Mrs. Anthony Dumbach, resident of
Long Island; Mrs. Martin Miller of New Jersey; Barbara; Mrs.
Lahm ; and Minna. Mrs. William Smalley of New Brunswick, N. J.
To Mr. and Mrs. Lahm were born five children, Clara is the wife
of Rudolph Tracy, janitor of the Brown block, by whom she was
five children, Olive, Sadie, Ralph, Dorothy and Donald, the last
two named being twins ; Kate married Henry R. Lenz, who was
born in Germany, and has been a citizen of Madison for twenty-
five years and for twenty-three years has been a cutter for M. J.
Hoven. butcher, of the city of Madison; Peter, Jr., married Mary

536 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Ryan, by whom he has one child, Florence ; Sadie, Mrs. Hannibal
Lacher of Madison ; John, of the Madison fire department. Mrs.
Lahm passed away September 22, 1903. Mr. Lahm is a member of
the United Workmen. He is one of the best known and most
highly respected citizens of Madison.

John C. Lalor, of Oregon, is a native of Dane county' having
been born in Dunn township. August 2, 1865. He is of Irish an-
cestry, his father, William Lalor, came to this country when he
was twenty-five years old and his mother, Amelia (Fox) Lalor,
when she was ten. They were married in Indiana, and in June,
1848, came to Wisconsin, and took up one hundred and fifty-four
acres of government land in Dunn township, Dane county, which
they cleared and improved. Here all of their family of eleven chil-
dren were born ; of these all are living except one son who was
killed in the Civil War. They are Mary J., Ellen and Ann of Dunn
township; Kate (Mrs. Broderick), of Iowa; Emma (Mrs. Holmes)
of Wisconsin ; Alice, of Washington, D. C. ; William of New Madi-
son, town of Dunn ; R'chard of Iowa ; James H., of New Madison,
and John C, the subject of this sketch. They were all educated in
the public schools of Dunn, Fitchburg and Madison. Mr. Lalor
has worked at various occupations, having been employed in a
grocery, the lumber and the drug business, but in later years has
interested himself in farming exclusively. • He owns a farm of one
hundred and fifteen acres, situated about fourteen miles from the
city of Madison, a little to the southeast ; this was an improved
property when he bought it, seven years ago. June 24. 1896, he
was married to Miss Mary M. Martin, daughter of John and Mary
( Luther) Martin, of Dunn township. They have no children. Mr.
Lalor is an independent in politics, and a member of the Catholic
church, but his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.
Her parents were farmers and are both deceased.

Christian Lammert, boot and shoe dealer of Middleton, was born
in Mecklenburg-Schwerin, September 1, 1842, and educated in
German schools. John and Mary Teda Lammert, his parents, were
born in Mecklenburg, were married there and there spent their
early married life. The mother died in 185!) and in 1S66 the family
came to America and located at Middleton. John Lammert, the
father, died in Nebraska in 1885 as did also their oldest son. John;
the second, Frederick, now deceased, was a merchant in Schuyler,
Neb.; Henry is a ranch owner in Oregon; Mary died in 1870;
Christian, of Middleton, is the youngest. When "the family settled
in Middleton, Christian immediately set to work at shoe-making,

BIOGRAPHICAL. 537

which was the trade he had learned in the Fatherland and in 1890
he opened his present store. November 5, 1866, he was married
to Miss Sophia Kilgrast, daughter of Fritz and Sophia Kilgratz of
Meckelburg Schwerin. Mrs. Lammert died in 11)02 and of their
six children but one is living. Minnie, their daughter, is the wife of
Oscar Engles and lives in Sun Prairie, Wis. The family have al-
ways been warm supporters of the German Lutheran church. Mr.
Lammert is a Democrat but has never been an office seeker, pre-
ferring to devote himself to his growing business, which has flour-
ished under his care.

William E. Lamont is an excellent representative of the kind of
citizen produced when the sturdy stock of "York state" was in-
fused with the virility which has characterized the life of the
northwest. He comes of a line of pioneers, his paternal grand-
father, Benjamin Lamont. a native of New York, being one of the
earliest settlers of Canandagua county. There he spent the greater
part of his life and there his son, Thair G. Lamont, was born in
1832. The latter married Miss Julia Ann Cook, and they came west
and settled in Vienna in 1867. Mrs. Lamont died the following
year and her husband survived her nearly thirty years, he dying
in Lodi in October, 1897. Mr. T. G. Lamont was a prominent
member of the community and of the Methodist Episcopal church,
to which his wife also belonged. He was a life-long Democrat and
served as a supervisor of Vienna. Wm. E. Lamont. his son, re-
ceived a liberal education in the common school, high school of
Lodi and the University of Wisconsin. He taught school for nine
years, beginning at the age of nineteen ; afterward he took up farm-
ing, and on his fine property of three hundred and fifty acres breeds
Clydsdale horses, beside being largely interested in other stock.
He is in the best sense of that over-used phrase, a self-made man,
and beside attending well to his private affairs, has served the pub-
lic in the capacity of assessor, treasurer and clerk of the township.
He is a member of the Presbyterian church, as is also his wife, who
was Miss Agnes W. Caldwell, daughter of John and Marian
(Wardrop) Caldwell. She was born in Columbia county, May 7,
186B ; her father, a native of Scotland, born 1833, and his w'fe, born
1835. came to Columbia in 1851, and now reside at Lodi. They
are members of the Presbyterian church. He is a farmer, a Repub-
lican and one of the wealthy men of the county. Of their large
family of nine children, all are living. Mr. and Mrs. Wm. E.
Lamont have one child, Marian Elizabeth, born April 10, 1898.

538

HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Albert T. Lamson, one of the representative farmers and fruit-
growers of Madison township, has been a resident of Dane county
for nearly forty years and has won success and independence
through his well directed efforts. He is an honored veteran of the
Civil War and is a citizen who commands unqualified confidence
and esteem. Mr. Lamson is a native of the state of Michigan, hav-
ing been born in the village of Constantine, St. Joseph county,
January 1, 1837. and being a son of Joseph T. and Mary T. (Ter-
hune) Lamson, both of whom were born and reared in New York,
the former having been a native of Livingston county and the
latter of Chautauqua county. They removed from the old Em-
pire state to Michigan about 1836, shortly before the admission of
the state to the Union, and the father became a farmer and hotel
keeper in St. Joseph county, where he remained several years, at
the expiration of which he returned with his family to the state of
New York, where both he and his wife passed the remainder of
their lives. They became the parents of four sons and one daugh-
ter, and all except one son are yet living. Albert T. Lamson was
afforded the advantages of the common schools, and the seminary
at Lima, N. Y., and was a young man of twenty-four years at the
outbreak of the Civil War. His loyalty and patriotism were forth-
with quickened to action and he tendered his services in defense of
the Union. Concerning his military career the following epitome
has been previously published : When the war broke out he en-
listed as a private in Company E, promoted and assigned to Com-
pany A as second lieutenant, One Hundred and Fourth New York
Volunteer Infantry, in which he was promoted and assigned to
Company A, as second lieutenant ; he was next promoted to the
rank of first lieutenant, and assigned to Company G. his command
joining the Army of the Potomac. He took part in the battles
of Cedar Mountain, South Mountain, Freder'cksburg, Chancellors-
ville and a number of other engagements, including the preliminary
operations at Gettysburg. On July 1, 1863, he was captured and
was taken to Libby prison, where he passed ten months. For-
tunately he had a little money, with which he could purchase some-
thing to eat in addit'on to his miserable allowance, but the confine-
ment caused him a great deal of suffering, nevertheless. Later he
was confined for a short time at Danville, Virginia, after which
he was taken to Macon, Georgia, and held in the stockade at old
Fort Oglethorpe for three months, at the expiration of which he
was sent, w!th five hundred union prisoners, to Charleston, South
Carolina, and placed under fire of Union guns. Subsequently he

BIOGRAPHICAL. 539

was taken to Columbia, that state, where he was held until Octo-
ber 23, 1864, when he and two others succeeded in making their
escape. Lieutenant Lamson, W. H. Shelton and Lieutenant Sill
were recaptured, in the northwestern part of North Carolina, after
seventy-one days of hardships in tramping through the swamps
and forests. They were taken to the headquarters of Colonel
Thomas, who ordered them to Goldsboro, North Carolina. They
managed to escape again, however, and finally reached a Union
settlement in the mountains of North Carolina, where they found
friends. After passing about three weeks in this locality they
succeeded in securing a guide and started for the Union lines in
eastern Tennessee. Once inside the lines, they reported to General
Stevens, at Chattanooga, and received an order to report to Gen-
eral George H. Thomas, at Nashville, Tennessee. There they re-
ceived a furlough for thirty days, at the end of which time they
reported at Washington, D. C, where Lieutenant Lamson was
mustered out February 25, 1865. After the close of the war Mr.
Lamson returned to the state of New York, where he remained a
short time. In the summer of the year 1865 he went to Nash-
ville, Tennessee, in the employ of the government, being assigned
to railroad work, in the mess house. He remained there until
autumn and then returned to New York state, where he continued
to reside until 1867, when he came to Wisconsin and took up his
abode in Dane county, where he turned his attention to agricultural
pursuits. In 1870 he purchased what was known as the French
farm, in Madison township, the same comprising seventy-seven
acres of fine land, and here he has since maintained his home, hav-
ing brought the farm under effective cultivation and having made
excellent improvements in the erection of substantial buildings.
He has been very successful in his efforts and gives his attention
to diversified agriculture and stock-growing and to the raising of
ftuits, making a specialty of the last mentioned. He has ever
s^iown a loyal interest in public affairs of a local nature and his
p<|)lif.ical support is given to the Republican party. He is one of the
appreciative and popular members of Lucius Fairchild Post, No.
li Grand Army of the Republic, in the city of Madison, and is
ex-commander of the same. In the spring of 1870, Mr. Larson
wis united in marriage to Miss Flora Jeanette Gorham, daughter
of J James Gorham, whom came to Wisconsin from the state of
Ndw York, becoming one of the pioneers of Dane county. Mr.
an(l Mrs. Lamson have no children.

540 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

William H. Lansing, who died at his home in the city of Madi-
son, May 7, 1905, was long identified with the business interests of
the capital city and was a representative of one of the prominent
and honored pioneer families of Dane county. He was born in
Phelps, Ontario county, New York, December 10, 1834, being a
son of Robert W. and Elizabeth (Hardy) .Lansing. Robert W.
Lansing was born in the old Empire state, and was a son of Gar-
rett Robert Lansing, who passed the closing years of his life in the
famous Mohawk valley of New York, having been a farmer by
vocation and a member of a family early settled in that common-
wealth. Robert W. Lansing was reared and educated in his native
state, having been a man of fine mentality and having gained his
education largely through personal application outside the school
room. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in New York,
where he was engaged in the practice of his profession until about
1842, when he was appointed receiver of the United States land
office at Mineral Point, to which point he removed with his wife
and their eight children. They made the trip by way of the great
lakes from Buffalo to Milwaukee and thence by stage to their des-
tination. They remained in Mineral Point about three years and
then removed to Madison, which was then but a small village,
while the surrounding country was sparsely settled and but slightly
developed. Robert W. Lansing opened a hotel in Madison, where
he also engaged in the practice of his profession. He finally pur-
chased a tract of land in Blooming Grove township, where he con-
tinued to reside until his death, which occurred in 1885, at which
time he was eighty-five years of age. He continued in the practice
of the law for many years after his removal to his rural home, and his
name merits an enduring place in the annals of Dane county his-
tory. His wife was likewise born in the state of New York, of
English parentage, having been a daughter of Will' am Hardy, who
passed the closing years of his life in New York state, having been
a farmer by vocation. Mrs. Lansing was summoned to the life
eternal on March 11, 1873, at the age of seventy-four years. Both
she and her husband were communicants of the Protestant Episco-
pal church. William H. Lansing, subject of this memoir, was
about eight years of age at the time of his parents' removal to
Wisconsin, and he here attended the common schools, supplement-
ing this discipline by a partial course in the Univers'ty of Wiscon-
sin, in Madison, the institution at that time being maintained or a
very modest scale. After the removal of the family to Madison
he initiated his business career by taking a position as salesnan

BIOGRAPHICAL. 541

in a dry-goods store, following this line of occupation until the
time of his marriage, in 1859, when his father presented to h'm,
as a wedding gift, a deed to a farm in Blooming Grove township.
He and his bride forthwith, took up their residence on this home-
stead, to whose improvement and cultivation he continued to give
his attention for the ensuing twelve years, at the expiration of
which he again took up his residence in Madison, where he estab-
lished himself in the meat-market business, on Williamson street.
He continued to be identified with this line of enterprise about
thirty years, becoming one of the best known and most popular
business men of the capital city and being a man who ever com-
manded the respect and esteem of all with whom he came in con-
tact in the various relations of life. He was a loyal and public-
spirited citizen, a stanch advocate of the principles of the Demo-
cratic party, and he served eight years as a member of the board of
aldermen. Though not formally identified with any religious body,
his views were in harmony with the tenets of the Protestant Epis-
copal church, in whose faith he was reared. October 23, 1859, was
solemnized the marriage of Mr. Lansing and Miss Martha Fran-
comb, who was born in New York city. December 27, 1840, a
daughter of Samuel and Louisa (Nodine) Francomb. They came
from New York to Dane county, Wisconsin, when Mrs. Lansing
was a child, being numbered among the early settlers of Madison,
and there she was reared and educated, having completed the cur-
riculum of the graded schools of the day. Mrs. Lansing survives
her honored husband, to whom she was a devoted companion and
helpmeet, and she still resides in the old homestead in Mad' son,
where she has a wide circle of cherished and loyal friends. In
conclusion is entered the following brief record concerning the
children of Mr. and Mrs. Lansing: A'ddie Elizabeth, born May
ll 1861, d'ed March 10, 1882; Emma L., born October 12, 1864. is
trie wife of Henry Sprecher and they reside in Iowa, being the par-
ents of four children ; William B., who was born Sept. 2, 1865, and
w^o now resides in Faulkton. S. D., married Miss Anna Wilkie,
ank they have four children; Charles B.. born July 1, 1866, is a
representative farmer of Blooming Grove township ; he married
M»s Clara Wandry and they have five children ; Frances May, born
M4' 9, 1873, is the wife of William Judd of Mclntire, Iowa.

William F. Lappley is one of the firm of Lappley Brothers, of
the village of Fitchburg, where they do an extensive business as
dealers in lumber, farm implements, hardware, flour and feed, hard
andlsoft coal, and also as buyers of grain, besides following con-

542 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

tracting and building to a considerable extent. The father of these
enterprising young men is John Lappley, who for years has been
one of the leading farmers of Dane county, and it is fitting that
herein appropriate mention should be made of the sturdy German
ancestry through which our subject is descended. John Lappley,.
the father, was born in Germany in 1825, and is a son of Lawrence
and Heinreika (Shrade) Lappley, natives also of that' country.
Lawrence Lappley followed the shoemakers' trade all his life in the
Fatherland, and died there on April 28, 1888, at the age of eighty-
e'ght years, his wife also dying there in her seventy- fourth year.
They were the parents of fourteen children, four of whom grew to-
years of maturity, one son and three daughters. The paternal
great-grandfather of our subject. Melchoir Lappley, was also a na-
tive of Germany, a baker by trade, was twice married and the
father of seven sons and five daughters. He lived to the age of
eighty years, and at his death left a fine estate. John Lappley,
father of him whose name introduces this sketch, received a good
education in his native country. From the age of twenty-one to
twenty-seven years he was in the employ of the German service,
receiving three cents per day, and three cents for rations. During
this six years he was three years at home, without pay, a practice
that was compulsory under the German law. In the spring of 1852,
at the age of twenty-seven years, he sailed from Havre, France, on
the St. George, landing in New York after a voyage of thirty-four
days, and with eight French dollars in his pocket. He soon found
employment at his trade — that of shoemaking — for four dollars
per month, but failed to receive his wages, and he afterward beg^n
work at nine dollars per month. After spending one year in New
York, Mr. Lappley worked in the lumber regions of Tioga county,.
Pa., three months, was then employed in the pineries fourteen
months, at sixteen dollars per month, after which he worked at lis
trade in New York city for twelve dollars per month. He was a
fine workman, and could make one pair of boots a clay, often work-
ing sixteen hours as a day's work. In April, 1855, he came to Wis-
consin, where he was employed in the construction of a railroad in
Madison a short time, farmed on the Indian reservation in the town
of Roxbury ten years, erecting a log house, which was destroyed
by fire one month afterward, with all the household effects, ani no
insurance. He then erected another dwelling and purchased eighty
acres of land, fifty acres of wh'ch were under cultivation. Mr..
Lappley then had $200 in money- and his stock, and out of ths he
was obliged to pay $100 court expenses, which he consideied a.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 543

robbing scheme. He next rented sixty acres of land in the town of
Berry, one year, and then purchased one hundred acres, for which
he paid $1,500, and a few years later added twenty acres more,
paying $190 for the latter, and still later bought forty acres more
for $450, making him a total of one hundred and sixty acres of
land. In 1881 he sold that place and purchased three hundred and
forty acres in Springfield, paying for the same $3,500. There he
has continued to reside, adding to his landed possessions until he
now owns five hundred acres, well stocked and improved, and he
successfully carries on the business of general farming. He was
married in New York city, June 15, 1854, to Miss Anna M. S.
Schmidt, who came from 'Germany, her native land, to America the
same year. They reared ten children, as follows : Louisa, wife of
George W. Hall, a miner of California; John, who is mentioned
more at length in this review; Henry, a jeweler and watchmaker
of Mazoman'e; Mary, wife of James H. Froggart, a farmer of Dane
county; William F., whose name introduces this sketch; Charles, a
contractor and builder of South Milwaukee; Christopher, deceased;
Caroline, Frederick and Alice. One daughter, Annie, died May 26,
1873, at the age of eight months. John Lappley, one of the broth-
ers who constitute the business firm mentioned in the beginning
of this review, and the eldest son of John Lappley, Sr., was born in
the town of Roxbury, Dane county, Sept. 3, 1857, and received his
education in the schools of Roxbury and Berry. For the past
seven years he has resided in Fitchburg, where he and his brother
are meeting with such signal success in the mercantile line. He is
a Republican in politics and a member of the Presbyterian church.
He was married on April 28, 1892, to Miss Mary Holtcworth, a na-
tive of Germany, whose parents — Christian and Mary (Kurtz)
Holtcworth — migrated to America when the daughter was but nine
months old and settled in the town of Middleton, where the father
now lives retired, the mother having died about a year after the
arrival of the family in Dane county. Mr. and Mrs. Lappley are
the parents of seven children, all living but the eldest, who died at
the age of five months. Their names follow : Raymond, Paul,
Melva, Herbert, Vera, Melinda, Walder. William F. Lappley, the
other member of this progressive business firm, and whose name
first appears in the beginning of this family memoir, was born in
the town of Roxbury, Dane county, Oct. 2, 1862. and was educated
in the schools of the town of Berry. In February, 1899, he and his
brother establ'shed the business at Fitchburg, in which they have
since been successfully engaged, and it may be said in truth that

544 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

their establishment is the leading mercantile establishment of the
place. He was married on July 4, 1898, to Mrs. Frances (DeBower)
McChesney, daughter of Fred and Mary ( Ruffmyer) McChesney,
of the town of Vienna. She died on May 31, 1899, leaving no'ch'l-
dren. Mr. Lappley then married, on April 17, 1901, Miss Adelia M.
Schwenn, a native of the town of Dane, whose parents — Frank and
Susan (Zimmerman) Schwenn — were born in Germany, but now
live in the town of Middleton, Dane county. Two children have
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lappley — Albert William and Lurene
Alice. Mr. Lappley is a Republican in his political affiliations, and
is filling very acceptably the positions of justice of the peace and
clerk of the village school board, also notary public, and has been
postmaster at Fitchburg since 1903. The society relations of both
John and William F. Lappley are marked by membership in the
I. O. O. F. and the Modern Woodmen of America.

George Larkin, a farmer of the town of Madison, was born on
February 8, 1844, in the neighborhood where he now resides. H's
parents, Jonathan and Cynthia (Newcomb) Larkin, were both na-
tives of the state of New York, but came to Wisconsin soon after
their marriage, settling in Dane county in 1843. Jonathan Larkin
bought two hundred and one acres of wild land, erected a log cabin,
and began the l'fe of a pioneer. The cabin was soon replaced by
a better one, which in turn gave way to a stone house of more pre-
tentious character. He helped to lay out and construct the first
roads in the county, driving an ox team to haul the materials for
bridges, etc. At that time bear, deer and other game was abund-
ant, and Indians were frequent visitors to the settlements. He also
operated the first dairy about the capital city and run the first milk
wagon in Madison. He' is still remembered by some of the old
settlers as a man of high moral character and great influence in the
community. The children of Jonathan and Cynthia Larkin were
Helen, Louise, Lucina, Edwin N., George, Catherine and Frank J.
Helen is the widow of Samuel Chase ; Louise, Catherine and Frank
live together :n the town of Madison ; Lucina is the wife of J. H.
Terry, also of the town of Madison ; Edwin N. is a farmer in the
town of Verona, and George is the subject of this sketch. In his
youth Mr. Larkin had meager opportunities to attend school, but
by reading he has managed to keep about as well informed as most
men of his day and generation. Always a great lover of horses he
spent considerable time in his early life in breaking them to the
saddle and to harness. He also broke a good many oxen. He con-
tinued to live at home until he was about twenty-eight years old.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 545

when he married Miss Addie Sweet, a daughter of William Sweet,
who came from New York at an early date and settled in Dane
county, where he followed the life of a farmer the rest of his life.
George and Addie Lark'n have an adopted son, Danford W., now
a farmer in the town of Fitchburg. He married Emma Johnson
and they have one son, George J. In the fall of 1871 Mr. Larkin
bought the farm of one hundred acres where he now lives. Since
that time he has made all the improvements on the place and car-
ries on a general farming business. He devotes considerable at-
tention to breeding fine horses and Shetland ponies, especially the
latter, of which he has sold a large number. Politically, he is a
Republican, but has never been an aspirant for public office, pre-
ferring the less pretentious but more congenial life of a farmer.
He and his family are w'dely known and highly esteemed.

Rasmus Larson, a well-known and successful farmer of the town
of Rutland, is a native of Denmark. Lars and Anna Larson, his
parents, were born in Rudkjobing, Denmark, where they were edu-
cated and married and spent their T.ves upon a farm in the neigh-
borhood. Their oldest son. Christian, died; the two younger ones,
Lars and Rasmus, came to America and both settled in Rutland.
Rasmus was born near Rudkjobing, May 7, 1837, attended school
in Denmark until he was fifteen years of age and then worked out.
In 1866, he came to Rock county. Wis., where he worked out for
four years. He then located in Rutland, where he obtained sev-
enty acres of land, which he worked for eight years. This was
sold and the farm known as the Cooper farm purchased, which has
since been the home of the family. Mr. Larson is a Republican but
has never interested himself actively in politics or desired to hold
office. In October, 1866, he married Miss Caroline Christenson,
daughter of Christ'an and Maria Christiansen, natives of Denmark.
Mrs. Larson's father died in Denmark and his widow joined her
children in America. Mr. and Mrs. Larson have five sons and
daughters. Anna, the oldest, is the wife of John Anderson of Ore-
gon, Wis., Augusta married Andrew Christianson of Stoughton,
Hannah is Mrs. Paul Nelson and resides in the town of Rutland,
William and Mary remain at home. All have been well-educated
and the family is prominent in the Danish Lutheran church of
Rutland.

Jens Larum is an old resident of the town of Rutland, having

farmed there since 1874. Iver and Bertha Larum, his parents, were

born in Sogan, Norway, and there spent their entire Ives. Of their

family of five children but two are living. Iver, in North Dakota

35 — iii

546 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

and Jens in Rutland. Jens Larum was born in Sogan, November
25, 1832, received his early education in Norway and worked on
his father's farm until he was twenty years of age. He then went
to sea and with a partner owned a boat with which they carried on
a trade in farm produce along the coast of Norway and also fished
in season. In 1873 he came to America and for a year worked out
near Stoughton. He then decided to locate in Rutland and pur-
chased eighty acres of wild land in sections 23 and 24, which he
farmed and improved in every way. A successful farming business
is now carried on by him at the same place. While still a resident
of Sogan, Norway, Mr. Larum was married to Miss Dora Tufton,
in May, 1867. Her parents, John and Carrie Tufton lived on a farm
in Sogan, where their daughter was born, and they never left Nor-
way. Mr. and Mrs. Lamm's first daughter, Bertha, was born in
Norway, in 1869, and came with her parents to Rutland, where she
married Henry Matson, a farmer of Rutland. The younger chil-
dren, Carrie and Eddie, were born in Rutland, and have always,
lived with their father and mother. All have received good educa-
tions and with their parents are members of the Norwegian Luth-
eran church. Mr. Larum is a Republican in his political sympa-
thies but has never been an active politician.

John Cuthbert Latham, a progressive farmer of the town ot
Fitchburg, where he has won an evitable position by dint of honest
effort and superior mental qualifications, was born in Lancashire,
England, on February 17, 1860, and is one of five children born to
John and Mary Ann (Whaley) Latham, also natives of England,
where the father died in 1878, aged seventy-seven years. He was
an eminent physician and was twice marred, five children being"
born to each of the unions, making a total of ten in the family, and
u is proper to incorporate in this review interesting facts concern-
ing them. Dr. P. W. Latham of Cambridge, England, a son of the
first marriage and a half-brother of our subject, is the father of the
wife of James Avon Clyde, Scotland's present solicitor general.
Mr. Clyde is the second son of Dr. James Clyde, formerly rector of
Edinburgh academy, and he was born in 1863, was called to the
bar in 1887 and became king's counsel in 1901. His success as an
advocate has been remarkable and it is said that he has acquired
one of the largest practices of modern times. He is a unionist in
Br'tish politics. Of the five children born to the second marriage
of Dr. John Latham, Adah Anne is deceased ; Mary Zilla Eva Linda
is unmarried and resides in the city of Madison ; Helen married
Thomas William Oldham (deceased), and is given a more extended

BIOGRAPHICAL. 547

mention on another page in a review dedicated to her husband ;
Vida Annette is unmarried and resides in Chicago ; and John C.
is he whose name introduces this memoir. Miss Vida Annette
Latham, mentioned above is a lady of much prominence, and was
elected one of the vice presidents of the American Microscopic soci-
ety at its recent meeting in Buffalo, where she took a prominent
part. At the time of the meeting the Buffalo Courier gave her
the following compl'mentary notice: "It is to be expected that a
gathering of scientists from all over the United States would not fail
to bring together some interesting characters, and the American
Microscopical Society convening here this week brought to the
city a number of people prominent in the world of science. One
of the most distinguished and interesting scientists at the conven-
tion proves to be a woman. Dr. Vida Latham of Chicago, who
was one of the most interested observers at yesterday's sessions, is
a woman with an unusual history. Born in England at a time
when women had not yet invaded the professional field, Dr. La-
tham became imbued with the idea that she would like to study
medicine. She met with manifold difficulties, the strongest of
which was the traditional prejudice against 'woman out of her
sphere.' She however entered the doors of one of London's medical
colleges and made a specialty of tuberculosis. Coming to America,
she entered college at Ann Arobor, where she was graduated. On
leaving college Dr. Latham went to Chicago, where she has since
lived. She is considered by authorities to be one of the cleverest
teachers of histology and pathology in the medical world. She
occupies the chair of professor of histology in the Northwestern
University ; she is a member of the American Medical Association
and chairman of one of its sections ; a member of the Chicago medi-
cal soc'eties, and has a large practice. Dr. Latham is a striking
example of grit and perseverance, and for one who meets her, a
woman of delicate appearance and modest manners, it is difficult to
believe that she has overcome almost colossal difficulties to attain
such a degree of proficiency in her chosen profession. Dr. Latham
has visited England several times since making her home in
America." John Cuthbert Latham, who is the immediate subject
of this review first attended the Wiggins grammar school at Lan-
caster, England, in which he received a very good education, and
in 1882, at the age of twenty-two years, he migrated to America.
Coning directly to Wisconsin, he worked as a farm hand in the
town of Sun Prairie, Dane county, about one year, after which he
purchased one hundred and thirty acres of land in the town of

548 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Fitchburg and began general farming on a somewhat extensive
scale. He remained on that farm about two years, and then sold
:l and purchased the farm where he now resides, near Syene in the
same town. He has made many necessary improvements on his
present homestead, which comprises one hundred and eighty acres
of exceptionally fertile land, and the progress which he has made
and is making is a striking example of what can be accomplished
by singleness of purpose and intelligent effort. Mr. Latham was
married on October 24, 18S4, to Miss Theresa Hasler, born near
Birmingham, England, July 22, 1867, daughter of William Fred-
crick and Frances (Slater) Hasler, also natives of England, where
they still reside, as do also their children with the single except:on
of Mrs. Latham. In the Hasler family there were nine children,
five of whom are living. Theresa, who is now Mrs. Latham, is the
only one residing in America, the others, Ida, Winifred, Blanche
and Gwendoline, remaining in England. To Mr. and Mrs. Latham
there have been born four children : Gladys, Garnet, Nellie and
Gwendoline. In politics our subject gives an unswerving allegiance
to the tenets of the Democratic party, and his worth has been ap-
preciated by his fellow citizens. Although he has never been an
aspirant for public office he has served four terms as town assessor
and for ten years as treasurer of the school district in which he re-
sides. He and his wife are members of the Episcopal church.

August C. Laue has conducted a high grade merchant tailoring
establishment at Middleton since February, 1904. A native of
Ebstorf, Hanover, Germany, he came to America when a boy with
his parents, Heinrich and Dora (Marvade) Laue. They were both
born in Hanover and lived there until after their marriage, when
with their young family they set out for America and soon located
at Reedsburg, Wis., which was their home until 1874. At that
time they moved to Madison. Wis., where Mr. Lane died in 1902.
Mrs. Laue still makes Madison her home and one of her daughters.
Sophia (Mrs. George Schneider) resides there also. Henry, the
second son, died in July, 1884. and Mary, Mrs. Henry Niebnhr. in
April. 1891. August C. was born August 3, 1865, and went to
school in Germany for two years before his departure and sub-
sequently attended Dane county schools until he arrived at the
age of fourteen years. After some six years spent at home he
spent two years in the west v' siting Los Angeles, San Francisco
and Denver, hoping to find improvement in health. Mr. Laue
learned the tailor's trade in 1879 and worked at various places along
the Pacific coast. In 1887 he came back to Madison, working at

BIOGRAPHICAL. 549

his trade until 1893, when he went into business for himself. For
a t'me connected with Charles G. Swanson at Madison he closed
out his bus'ness in Madison in May, 1901, and went into business
at Deerfield. The business outlook at Middleton seemed to offer
him more inducements so in 1902 the store in Deerfield was dis-
posed of and one opened at Middleton. August C. Laue was mar-
ried October 1, 1887, to M'ss Catherine Noonon, daughter of John
Xoonan of Limerick, Ireland. They have three children, Robert H.,
Maria and Roy. Mr. Laue is a Democrat and in March, 1905, was
elected marshal. Mrs. Laue died October 19, 1905, aged thirty-
eight years.

Allen R. Law, M. D., a leading physician and surgeon of Madi-
son, was born in Port Dover, Canada, June IT, 184G. LLs parents
■were Samuel and Catherine (Hodgkins) Law, both natives of
Canada, where the father was a farmer. The father, co-operating
with his neighbors, bought one of the early threshing machines of
the vicinity. While feeding it one night about dusk his hands be-
came entangled in the machinery and both arms were taken off, one
at the wrist and one near the elbow. Undaunted, the father set
about making preparations to engage in some other business and
upon his recovery embarked in the grocery business wholesale and
reta'l, overseeing and managing it himself. In the fall of 181G, in
his twenty-sixth year, he passed away, leaving a widow and one
son, the subject of this sketch. The widow married James Howey,
of Nanticoke, Canada. By this marriage she was the mother of
eight children, all living and two of whom are married. Allen R.
Law was educated in the common and grammar schools of Port
Dover. His medical studies were pursued under Drs. Eastman of
Platteville, Wis., and William Howell of Jarvis, Ontario, and for
three years he was a student at Rush Medical College, Chicago.
Upon his graduation in 1870 with the degree of M. D.. he located
in Belmont, Wis., and started the practice of his profession. In
188-1—5 he took a full course in the Xew York Polyclinic of New
York city, and soon after his return to Belmont he performed on
Oscar J. Blakley of Darlington, Lafayette Co.. Wis., the first suc-
cessful bloodless hip-joint amputation ever performed in the world.
In 1892 he removed to Madison and furnished the capital for a
hardwood lumber and planing mill business and devoted part of his
time to it for a year, and then went to Chicago for a time for ad-
vanced study in medicine taking a course in the Chicago Polyclinic.
Dr. Law's specialty is surgery and the d'seases of women. For a
number of years he has been an examiner for the leading: insur-

550 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

ance companies. The doctor is a member of the Blue Lodge Chap
ter and Commandery of Madison F. & A. M. He is a member of
the State and Central Wisconsin Medical Associations and of the
Methodist church. On December 2, 1885, he married Sarah, daugh-
ter of Dedrick and Maria (Melvin) Harms, and to this marriage
five children have been born, William Allen, married, and con-
nected with C. H. Canby in the banking and brokerage business
in Chicago ; Blossom M., a student of the University of Wisconsin ;
Emily, died in infancy, and Robert M., a student in the high school,
and Jack died at age of eight years.

Harmon R. Learnard, the respected village and town clerk of
Mazomanie, was born in Fairfax, Franklin county, Vt., August 1,
1841. His parents, Franklin Learnard and Clarinda (Walker)
Learnard, were both natives of Vermont and came west in 1852.
The father worked at the carpenter's trade for a time after coming
to Mazomanie and then bought a farm of eighty acres, to which he
added seventy acres soon after. The subject's mother died in
Mazomanie in 1879. In the spring of 1884 the father went to Fort
Collins, Colo., where he died in 1900 aged ninety-three. Beside
Harmon there were five children in the family, Horace, who died
1'n Colorado ; Henry, a member of Company A, Eleventh Wisconsin
Infantry, died in Montgomery, Ala., 1865 ; Heber, died in Colo-
rado, 1890 ; and Porter and Perry, twins, the former station agent
and postmaster at Chicosa, Colo., the latter engaged in the insur-
ance and real estate business in Fort Collins, Colo. Flarmon R.
Learnard's education was confined to district schools but his appli-
cation was such that he became a teacher himself and offic'ated in
that capacity for five terms, in the counties of Dane and Richland.
On September 2, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company A
(Capt. D. E. Hough) Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry (Col. C. L.
Harris). The regiment was under General Curtis in M'ssouri
and Arkansas, then under General Grant at the siege of Vicksburg
and later transferred to the Army of the Gulf, participating in the
skirmishes incident to the siege and capture of Mob'le. On Sep-
tember 4. 1865, he was mustered out, having served just two days
over four years. His brothers, Perry and Porter, were members
of the Twenty-third AYisconsin infantry. Mr. Learnard is a zeal-
ous Republican and since 1879 has served the community as village
and town clerk and has served on the county board. He is also a
notary public and does some insurance business. He is not a
member of any church but his wife belongs to the Episcopal church.
On November 7, 1868, he married Mary G., daughter of Eben and

BIOGRAPHICAL. 551

Sallie (Goodwin) Howard of Fairfax, Vt. Mr. and Mrs. Howard
had six children, four daughters and two sons. The sons were
members of Company K, Eleventh Vermont infantry; both were
captured and Keyes died in Andersonville prison. John survived
and returned to Vermont after the war. Mr. and Mrs. Learnard
have had three children, Pearly, died at age of ten years, Iva is the
wife of Dr. H. A. Ellis of Mazomanie and Merton H. is the chief
clerk in the office of the Southern Colorado Railroad Company in
Denver. The esteem in which Mr. Learnard's neighbors hold him
is evidenced in his continued election to an office of trust. He is a
member of the A. R. McDonald post. Xo. 56, Grand Army of the
Republic, Crescent Lodge, Xo. 97, Free and Accepted Masons, and
the Order of the Eastern Star and Unity Lodge, Xo. 22, A. O.
U. \\., all of Mazomanie.

John O. Lee is an able representative of the agr'cultural industry
in Dunkirk township, where he has a well improved farm of sixty-
eight acres. Mr. Lee was born in Xorway Ocotber 11, 1849, and is
a son of Ole and Ingoleb Lee. In his native land he was reared
to years of maturity and there was afforded a common school educa-
tion. In 1870 he immigrated to America and came at once to
Dane county, locating near Rockdale, where he continued to reside
tor the ensuing eleven years. In 1880 he purchased his present
farm of sixty-eight acres, on which he has made excellent improve-
ments, having erected the various bu'ldings and being known as an
energetic and successful farmer. He makes a specialty of raising
tobacco,, having devoted nineteen acres to the same in 1905. In
politics he is a stanch Republican and he and his wife hold mem-
bership in the Norwegian Lutheran church. In 1880 Mr. Lee was
united in marriage to M'ss Gunil Berthena Olson, daughter of
Tolef and Emma (Meikelsdatter) Olson, honored pioneers of Dane
county, whither they immigrated from Xorway in 1844, settling in
Dunkirk township, where Mr. Olson secured government land, a
portion of which is the farm now owned by Mr. Lee. Mr. and Mrs.
Lee have eight ch'ldren. namely: Ella. Mary, Thea. Gertrude.
Josie. Ole, Melvin and Sigurd. Ella is now the wife of George
Erickson. Sigurd died in March, 1906, at age of two years.

John E. Johnson Lee, who was one of the very early settlers of
Dane county was sixteen years of age when he came from Xorway
with his parents and brothers and sisters. His father, Erick John-
son Lee, and his mother. Martha Larsdotter (Ottnernes) Lee,
brought their fam'ly of eight children to the United States in 1845
and settled in the township of Christiania when the community was

552 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

in its infancy. They purchased a farm of two hundred acres of
wild land and kind neighbors sheltered the family until a dwelling
of logs could be constructed. Air. Lee was a farmer in his native land
and undaunted by the magnitude of his task, set to work to gain
a living for his family from the new farm. He converted it into
a profitable property and made it his home until his death in 1892.
Mrs. Lee died in 1873. E'ght children were born to them. Breta.
the oldest, died. Magnilda is the wife of James Berquam of Colum-
bia county. John E. lives upon the old homestead. Ingobar died
in 1866. Haaken served in Co. C, Second California Cavalry.
Anna is the widow of John Onstad of Christian'a. Thomas served
;n the Third California Volunteer Infantry and died in 1897.
John E. was born in County Bergen, Norway, March 16, 1829, re-
ce'ved his early education in the common schools of Norway and
helped his father in the work of clearing the new farm when they
settled in Wisconsin. Lie has always been a farmer and succeeded
his father in the management of the home farm. In 1900 he was
obliged by ill-health to retire from active work and the farm istnow
under the care of his son, Lars J., who is part'cularly successful
in rasing fine cattle for which his farm is noted. Mr. Lee is a
Republican in political sympathy and has served as chairman of the
town board for many terms. In 1868-9 he represented his district
in the legislature. In May, 1851, he married Miss Caroline Simon-
son, daughter of Atli and Assi Simonson of County Bergen, Nor-
way, who came to Christiania in 1849. Six children were born to
John and Caroline Lee ; Erick, who is a truck farmer of Edgewater,
Col. ; Atle, a minister of the Lutheran church of Lake Mills, Iowa ;
Martha, who lives at home; Louisa, Mrs. O. K. Lee, of Parkland,
Wash. ; Annie, the wTe of M. J. Soberg and Lars J., who lives on
the home farm. After the death of the first Mrs. Lee. John Lee
married again, his wife being Martha Yeenan, who died in 1883.
Three children blessed this marriage ; Gisle, a physician of Thomp-
son, Iowa; John, a machinist at Madison, and Hannah. All are
members of the Lutheran church, of which the family were adher-
ents in Norway.

Nels A. Lee, a substantial farmer of the town of Deerfield, was
born at Y'oss. Norway, April 26, 1841. His parents were Andrew-
Nelson and Gunvor S. (Gielderhuus) Lee, natives of Yoss. Norway
The father was born October 14, 1814, and is still living, making
his home with his son in Deerfield. The mother, born in 1806,
passed away in 1877. In 1841 Andrew N. Lee brought his family
to Dane county from Norway. The first winter they lived in a due:-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 553

out, with Mjrs. Lee's uncle, in the town of Christiana; the next winter
they lived with an aunt of Mrs.. Lee's, also' in the town of Christiana,
and March 28, 1843, ne started on foot to the land office in Milwaukee
and there bought forty acres in the town of Pleasant Springs, being
the NE Va of NE % of section 1. On his return from Milwaukee he
carried an ox-chain, scythe and snath and two large cowbells. Early
in the same spring he built a log cabin and moved into it, being the
first Norwegian that settled in that town. In the fall of 1844 he sold
out and bought eighty acres in the town of Decrfield, being the E lA of
NW /4 section 32, to which he gradually added until the place con-
tained one hundred sixty acres. The first two years he worked for
others, as he had only enough money left when he reached this coun-
try, to buy a cow, and the highest wages at that time was fifty cents
a day through the harvest time. Andrew Nelson was the father of
four children: Martha, deceased, wife of Helge Helgeson ; Sever, a
veteran of the Civil War, who was captured and kept a prisoner in
Andersonville prison for some time, is married and has eight children.
He lives four miles west of Grafton, N. D. Andrew (Andres) is
married and lives in Wells county, N. D. All the education in Eng-
lish which Nels A. Lee, ever had was received in the district
school of the town of Deerfield ; but he attended a Norwegian school.
His grandchildren speak both English and their mother tongue. In
his boyhood he helped to thresh with oxen in a very primitive fashion.
They laid the bundles in a r'ng about four feet wide and drove the
oxen around on it, until the wheat was threshed out. At the age of
seventeen he started to thresh as a business, and followed it for twenty
years. At the age of twenty, in 1861, in company with Lars Iverson,
he began working' with a breaking team and followed that work for
four years in succession. Mr. Lee was married Jan. 22, 1865, to
Mari S. Reqve, and the same year bought eighty acres of the old
homestead, which he still owns. In 1867 he moved onto the farm
where he now resides, working it on shares until 1882, when he was
enabled to buy three hundred acres of it. In politics he has always
been a Republican, he has served as town treasurer for six years, and
is holding the office of justice of the peace at the present time. He
has also been insurance agent in the Farmers' Insurance Company
for ten years, and is director and treasurer in the Deerfield Creamery
company. During the war Mr. Lee was drafted but being unable to
leave, employed a substitute, paying him $300. In religion he is a
Norwegian Lutheran. Mrs. Lee was born in March, 1839, and re-
ceived her education in the district school of the town of Deerfield.
She is the daughter of Sjur Styrkson Reqve and Anna Pedersdatter
Gjermo, natives of Norway, who immigrated to this country in 1845.

554 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

She had three brothers and three sisters. Stark (Styrk) S. Reqve,
was married, but is now a widower: He is a minister of Spring
Grove, Minn. ; Rev. Peder S. was also married, but died about twenty-
five years ago; Lars S. also married, was consul to Holland four years,
and a professor at the Norwegian Luther College, Decorah, Iowa ;
Brita married Ole L. Quale and is deceased. Martha, deceased, was
unmarried. Anna Maria married Rev. Halvor E. Hustvedt, and re-
sides at Decorah, Iowa. To Nels and Mari Lee (Lie), have been born
iive children: Julia A. born Aug. 28, 1866, died two years later;
Sever A. born Feb. 2, 1867, married Anna Eliason and resides on the
home farm; they have five children, Nels C, Nora M., Henrietta M.,
Sarah A., Agnes S. ; Julia A., born April 8, 1869; Lauris P. S., born
April 2, 1881, and died two years later; and Peter A. G., bom January
3, 1884. Mr. Lee is known as a public spirited citizen, a man of
means and sterling worth. He is greatly interested in the preservat.on
of Indian relics and he has one of the best collections in the state.
N. A. Lee also built the first independent telephone line from Deerfield
to Nora and Utica, about nine miles. This was in 1900 and the next
year he built from Nora to Madison about twelve miles, and at Madi-
son he got connection *with the Madison Telephone company. This
line he owned unt'.l 1906 when he sold out to J. C. Bell.

Alexander Lemon. is not only one of the successful farmers of
Cottage Grove township but is also a native of Dane county and
a representative of one of its sterling pioneer families. He was
born in the city of Madison, the capital of the state, June 16, 1842,
and is a son of James and Margaret Lemon, both of whom were
born in Ireland. They took up their residence in Madison in the
year 1837, the capital at that time having been a mere village.
James Lemon was among the first to institute the development of
the agricultural resources of Dane county, having taken up his
lesidence in Cottage Grove township in 1845 and having there se-
cured a tract of heavily timbered land, which he began to reclaim
and place under cultivation. He became one of the successful
pioneer farmers of this township, where both he and his wife
passed the remainder of their lives. Alexander Lemon was reared
10 manhood on the old homestead, while his educational advantages
-.vere limited to the curriculum of the somewhat primative district
schools of the vicinity. He remained at the parental home until
he had attained the age of twenty-two years, when he initiated his
independent career, securing employment at farm work and being
thus engaged about five years. He then rented land and worked
the same on the sharing system until the spring of 1880, when he

BIOGRAPHICAL. 555

removed to Rooks county, Kansas, becoming one of the pioneers
of that section of the Sunflower State, where he continued to follow
agricultural pursuits for seven and one-half years, having become
the owner of a tract of three hundred and twenty acres in the
county mentioned. He then returned to his native county and took
■charge of the farm of his mother-in-law, finally becoming owner of
ihe property, which comprises ninty-five and one-half acres of
most fertile and productive land and which is one of the best farms
•of Cottage Grove township, being located in section seven. Mr.
Lemon is held in high esteem in the community, having passed
the greater portion of his life in this township, and he shows a
loyal interest in public affairs, though never a seeker of office. He
is aligned as a stanch supporter of the cause of the Republican
party, and his wife holds membership in the Presbyterian church.
February 27, 1870, Mr. Lemon was united in marriage to Miss
Katie Beecher, who was born in Dane county, April 16, 1849,
being a daughter of Isaac and Jane Beecher, the former of whom
was born November 22, 1821, his death occurring August 1, 1864;
the latter was born June 12, 1822, and still resides on the old home-
stead, with her daughter, Mrs. Lemon. Mr. and Mrs. Lemon be-
came the parents of three children: Isaac B., who was born De-
cember 15, 1870, died April 26, 1880 ; Eugene Clark, who was born
October 13, 1873, married Miss Mabel Tomlinson and they reside
in Fair Oaks, a suburb of the city of Madison ; Ray Alexander,
born September 26, 1891, remains at the parental home.

George E. Lester, of Waunakee, is of English ancestry, his father,
Starkey M. Lester, having been born in Leicestershire, and his
mother, Rebecca Ann (Lomis) Lester, in Nottingham, Eng., in
December, 1821, and October, 1822, respectively. They came to
Dane in 1847, took up one hundred and sixty acres of land, and
the following year bought, in Vienna, a claim of one hundred and
sixty acres ; on the latter place they made their home and spent their
lives, although Mr. Lester died at Waunakee, September 28, 1898.
Mrs. Lester died January 6, 1891. Mr. Lester was a Democrat and
held the office of treasurer and assessor of the township for seven
\ears. Both were members of the Baptist church and of their
seven children, six are living. George E. Lester, the subject of
this sketch, was born November 8, 1860, in Vienna townsh'p. He
acquired his education in the common school of Vienna and the
grade schools of WaUnakee village. His boyhood was spent upon
the farm which he assisted his father in developing and improving.
After beconrng of age he was moved by the restless spirit of youth

556 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

and changed his vocation, being employed by the C. & N. W. R'y
Co. for eleven years; at the end of this time he returned to the
farm, and resumed his former occupation for five years; in 1902 he
engaged in the livery business at Waunakee, and has the leading
business of the place. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic
party, and in religious matters with the Catholic church. He was
married October 11, 188T, to Miss Anna Schillinger, a native of
Germany, daughter of Anton and Barbara (Acker) Schillinger,
both of whom were born in Germany and came to Springfield in
L871. Anton Schillinger died in Springfield in 1896 and his wife
in Waunakee in 1901. To Mr. George E. Lester and his wife have
been born four sons, Leo E., Lewis S., Starkey A., George E., Jr.
The family occupies one of the fine residences of Waunakee.

George W. Levis, secretary and treasurer and general manager
of the Starks-Levis land company, comes of English-Quaker an-
cestry. His great-great-great-grandfather, Samuel Levis, was a
founder of the family in America, securing a thousand acres of land
near Philadelphia during William Penn's settlement of that section
of the country. About one-half of this property is still in the
family name. Samuel Levis II, the great-great-grandfather, was
the father of Thomas Levis, who served in the Continental army
during the Revolutionary War. Samuel Levis III, son of Thomas
Levis, was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, and the
father of John Levis, born in 1807, in Bristol, Pa. John Levis mar-
lied Emeline Gullord, born in 1821 in Norway, and in 1811 brought
his family to Wisconsin, locating in Black River Falls, where in
1854 he was instrumental in organizing, with the aid of German
capital, an iron company which built the first iron furnace in Wis-
consin. Aside from this business he was engaged in the lumber
trade, operating a saw mill. When the Civil War had closed he de-
voted himself entirely to the lumber interests until about 1870, when
he retired. His death occurred in 1893. While residents of Black
River Falls a son, George W. Levis, the subject of this sketch, was
born to Mr. and Mrs. John Levis. He received his preliminary ed-
ucation in the public schools of his native city and in 1893 was
graduated at the law department of the University of Wisconsin.
From 1893 to 1896 he engaged in the practice of his profession in
West Superior and La Crosse, Wis., and in the latter year located
permanently in Madison to take a position as deputy United States
marshal for the western district of Wisconsin. This position he
held until L900, when he became the chief influence in the organiza-
tion of the Starks-Levis land company, of which he has since been

BIOGRAPHICAL. 557

secretary and treasurer, beside general manager. In his political
connections Mr. Levis is a stanch supporter of Democratic princi-
ples and has several times been the candidate of his party for
different offices. In 1890 he was the nominee for the office of as-
semblymen from Jackson county, and was defeated by only eighty-
six votes in what had always been a Republican stronghold. In
1894 he was the Democratic candidate for congress from the sev-
enth Wisconsin district and managed to reduce materially the
former Republican majority in that district. In 1904 he was made
secretary of the Democratic state central committee and has since
served in that capacity. He has filled at different times practically
all the minor offices of Jackson county. His church connections
are with the Unitarian society. Mr. Levis has been twice mar-
ried, his first wife having been Miss Clara Winden, to whom he
was wedded in 1893, daughter of Gilbert P. and Christine (Colby)
Winden of Madison. Mrs. Levis died at La Crosse on January 9,
1896, leaving a son, George. On October 31, 1903. Mrs. Susie
Findorff, widow of Augustus Findorff, became his bride. She is a
daughter of George Speckner of Madison. To this union has been
born a daughter, Emeline. Fraternally, Mr. Levis is identified
with the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the
Modern Woodmen of America and the Mystic Workers of the
World. He is a man of excellent qualities, active, enterprising and
resourceful, the kind of man who infuses new blood into the life
of a community.

Eric A. Lewis, who is now living retired in the city of Stoughton,
ic a native of Dane county and has been prominently identified with
the agricultural industry here until impaired* health compelled him
to sever his active connection with work of the sort. He was born
in Dunn township, this county, June 24, 1863, being a son of
Thomas and Bertha Lewis, both natives of Norway, whence they
came to America and settled in Stoughton in 1854. Here the
father was employed in railroad work about one year, at the ex-
piration of which he removed to Dunn township, where he bought
eighty acres of wild land, developing the same into a productive
farm. The place is now owned by his son-in-law, Henry Lewis.
Tie later added another eighty-acre tract to his possessions. After
the death of his wife he removed to Dunkirk township, where he
continued to reside until his death, at the age of seventy-five years.
He reared a family of four children, namely: Benjamin T., Ann'e,
wife of Henry Lewis ; Eric A., and Tollif. Eric A. Lewis passed
his vouth on the home farm, in Dunn township, and his educational

fog HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

advantages were those afforded by the common schools of the
locality. For a number of years he owned and resided upon the
second farm purchased by his father, finally selling the same to-
his brother and in 1889, purchasing one hundred and five acres
in Dunkirk township. In 1892 he bought one hundred and twenty-
one and one-half acres, adjoining, and in 1893 he removed from Dunn
township to his large farm in Dunkirk, making many improvements
on the place, including the erection of a good dwelling, two barns
three tobacco sheds, stripping house, etc. He fenced practically
the entire farm and personally reclaimed about forty acres of virgin
land. In 1906 he purchased seven and one-half acres with build-
ings adjoining his Dunkirk farm and in the summer of 1908
erected a handsome home for himself on the corner of Page and
Washington streets, Stoughton. In 1897 his health became so im-
paired as to render imperative his retirement, and he has since
lived in the city of Stoughton, although still retaining possession of
his farm. In politics he is a Republican and he takes much inter-
est in all that concerns the welfare of his native county. August 1,
1889 Mr. Lewis was united in marriage to Miss Emma Johnson,
who was born and reared in Dunn township, her parents having
immigated from Norway and numbered themselves among the
pioneers of Dane county. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have three chil-
dren. Theodore K., Elmer A., and Myrtle B.

John Lewis, for many years an engineer on the Chicago, Mil-
waukee & St. Paul railroad, now in charge of the company's round
house in Madison, was born in Monmouthshire, England, July 20,
1846. His parents, James and Mary (Jones) Lewis, never crossed
the sea but lived and died as subjects of the British Empire. The
father was a farmer by vocation. Of the family of two sons and
two daughters only the two sons survive, the other beside the sub-
ject of this sketch being Henry, who conducts a drug store on State
street. John Lewis was but fourteen or fifteen years old when he
came to this country, landing in Quebec, and going thence directly
to Milton, Wis. While still a youth he entered the employ of the
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad when it was known as the
Milwaukee & Mississippi, starting as a newsboy. For three years
he continued in that capacity and then by diligence and strict at-
tention to the business in hand was gradually promoted to the
position of fireman and then engineer. He served as such some
thirty years, and then through an unfortunate accident, the side
rod of his engine breaking and causing a wreck, he was so maimed
and crippled that he was unable longer to attend to the duties of

BIOGRAPHICAL. 559

an engineer's position and resigned. The company, however, in
recognition of his fidelity and life-long service placed him in charge
of the round house in Madison and he still holds that position.
Since 1866 he has been continuously in the employ of the St. Paul
system, and aside from vacations has scarcely missed a day. In
his political relations Mr. Lewis is a Republican and as the repre
sentative of that party served two terms in the city council as al-
derman from the fifth ward. He is not identified with any religious
organization, but notwithstanding is a man whose life is worthy
of emulation. He claims membership in the Free and Accepted
Masons and the brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. In Au-
gust, 1887, Mr. Lewis was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth
Ziel, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Ziel of Prairie du Chien, and
a native of Germany. Mr. Ziel and his wife are still living, mak-
ing their home in Prairie du Chien. To Mr. and Mrs. Lewis# have
been born eight children, Caroline, John, Jr., James, Florence,
Mary, Earl. Pauline and Fanny.

John Leroy Lewis was one of the sterling pioneers of Dane
county and was for many years a valued member of the police
force of the city of Madison, where he died August 4, 1893. Mr.
Lewis was born in Petersburg, Rensselaer county. New York,
January 28, 1822, and was a son of Leonard and Elizabeth (Allen)
Lewis, who were likewise born and reared in that county. Mr.
Lewis received a good common school education in his native
state, and was reared to the discipline of the farm. He was mar-
lied in 1847, and in the following year came with his young bride
to Wisconsin which was then in the initial stages of its develop-
ment, industrially and socially. He took up his residence in Dane
county, and during the Civil War he was employed at Camp Ran-
dall, this county, under Napoleon B. VanSlyke, who is now
president of the First National bank of Madison. While thus en-
gaged he assisted in the shipping of seven thousand horses from
Madison, the same being used in the Federal armies. After the
war Mr. Lewis was employed for two years on the farm of the
University of Wisconsin, and he then accepted a position on the
Madison police force, continuing to be identified with this depart-
ment of the municipal service until his death, representing a period
of a quarter of a century. Few men were better known in the
capital city than was John L. Lewis, and he had hosts of friends
among all classes. He was the soul of honor and generosity, al-
ways ready to aid those in affliction, but his name was a terror to
malefactors, his courage being of the maximum, while he exempli-

560 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

fied most fully in his character the truth of the saying, "The brav-
est are the tenderest ; the loving are the daring." He was ever
solicitous of the welfare of those about him, eager and ready to aid
every charitable enterprise or movement, and one to whom friend-
ship was inviolable and personal honor impregnable. His life was
not lived upon a lofty plane but it was one true to itself and to the
highest ideals, so that from it are to be gained both lesson and in-
centive. With the co-operation of his devoted wife he gained
financial independence, and this was much, when cognizance is had
of the fact that when they arrived in Madison they had no acquaint-
ances and very little money. Economy and careful management
brought due rewards, however, and finally Mr. Lewis was enabled
to purchase a farm in Blooming Grove township, where they re-
mained about five years, then returning to Madison, where he
passed the remainder of his life and where his widow still resides.
.Mr. Lewis was a stanch advocate of the principles of the Democratic
party, and was affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows. On May 23, 1847. was celebrated
his marriage to Miss Virtue Cushman Ward, daughter of Silas and
Susan (Hathaway) Ward, of Cayuga county. New York, where
she was born and reared. Mr. Lewis is survived by one son,
Leroy Ward Lewis, who was born on the 1st of May, 1851, is now.
a resident of Chamberlain, South Dakota, who has one daughter,
Jean Gladys, the wife of John Widmeier. of Dubuque. Iowa.

Henry M. Lewis is a veteran member of the Mad'son bar, and a
brief outline of his legal work and positions may be given as fol-
lows : He received his legal training with the firm of Vilas & Rem-
ington, later with Collins, Smith & Keyes ; was admitted to practice
in Dane county in October, 1853, his examining committee being
Hon. Levi Y7ilas, Hon. Thomas Hood and Hon. Arthur McArchur,
the last was afterward judge of the circuit court of Milwaukee
county and judge of the supreme court of the District of Columbia,
^nd was the father of General Mc Arthur of the United Staces
army. His first partnership was with Major W. H. Semmes, of
Hudson and his next was with Leopold Lathrop. son of Chancellor
Lathrop of the University of Wisconsin. Later partnersh'ps were
Ainsworth, Johnson & Lewis, Stevens & Lewis, Stevens, Lewis &
Flower, Lewis, McKenney & Tenney, Lewis, Lewis & Hale, Lewis
& Harding, Lewis & Pfund, Lewis & Briggs, and Lewis. Briggs &
Dudgeon. Ik- was admitted to the supreme court of Wisconsin in
1855 and to the supreme court of the United States in 1878; he was
district attorney of Dane county from 186] to 1863, collector of in-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 561

lernal revenue for the second district of Wisconsin from 1867 to
1873; United States district attorney for the western district of
Wisconsin from 1878 to 1886 ; referee in bankruptcy since 1898.
He is a member of the state bar association and of the American
bar association. In municipal affa'rs he has taken a prominent
part from the time when, from 1863 to 1869. he served as alder-
man and devoted his energies to the difficult task of extracating
the city from the financial difficulties involved in its issue of rail-
road bonds, and placing it upon a sound financial basis, through the
fifteen years which he served on the board of education, three as
president, to his present position on the board of the hospital as-
sociation and on the board of the Madison free library, which
latter position he has held since the inception of the institution in
1873. Back of this summary of a successful legal career lie cer-
tain facts of temperament and environment which account for the
opinion passed by another member of the Madison bar in pro-
nouncing him, "the most admirable character of the Dane county
bar." The bare facts of his early life read like those of hundreds
of others. He was born in Cornwall, Addison county, Vermont,
September 7, 1830, the son of Martin and Sophia (Russell) Lewis,
the former a native of Cornwall, Vermont, and the latter of Tolland,
Connecticut. He passed through the hard conditions of a New
England boyhood, where the severity of the climate impressed
itself upon the character of the people and the unwilling earth
found something of a counterpart in the life of the inhabitants of
that rock-ribbed country. Mr. Lewis on the occasion of the pre-
sentation of his portrait to the circuit court, tells the story of his
early life. His school training consisted of two yearly terms of
ihree months each, which was termnated when he became large
enough to be useful in the work of the farm, and he says of the
teachers, who were usually changed from term to term, "Only
ihree or four are held in grateful remembrance as inspirers of my
youthful mind." He was fifteen years of age when his father
came to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Burke, Dane county,
but previous to that time two ardent desires had found lodgement
in his mind and grew with his years ; one, stimulated by the vicinity
of Middlebury college, was a collegiate education, and the other,
by the accident of being present at a law suit in a justice court, a
wish to enter the legal profession. Only one of these was destined
to fulfillment, and while he was admitted to the bar and attained
eminence as a lawyer, he was in other respects a self-educated man,
and was obliged to substitute his solitary -reading and study for the
36— iii

562 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

culture of the schools. His collegiate life was limited to a single
term at the University of Wisconsin, then an institution of only
thirty students, all told. Nevertheless the association with the
faculty of this infant university, men of scholarly attainments and
social culture, was a life-long stimulus to Mr. Lewis, as the friend-
ships formed there, many of which lasted for half a century, were
a life-long benediction. Few men have carried away with their
diplomas as much of real value in what goes to make up the essen-
tial qualities of true manhood, as Mr. Lewis obtained from his sin-
gle term. Mr. Lewis' characteristics as a lawyer are studiousness,
earnestness, close reasoning and candor. In speaking of the deach
of his partner, and son-in-law, Mr. Harry E. Briggs. which he says
is his "great, abiding sorrow," he unconsciously reveals his own
character. He says, ''his conduct was guided by the loftiest ideals
of honor and ethics, which should ever be the ruling principle of
the lawyer." His strength as a jury lawyer is conceded and one of
the lasting memorials of his work as an attorney is his contribution
of the Wisconsin section of "The Law of Incorporated Companies
Operating Under Municipal Franchise," published in 1892, by A. R.
Foote of Washington, D. C. The appreciation of Mr. Lewis by his
brethren of the bar was demonstrated in a practical manner when
January 14, 1905, they presented his portrait, a painting in oil by
James R. Stuart, to the circuit court. It is handsomely framed in
gilt and hangs upon the walls of the circuit court room. Hon.
C. K. Tenney, in presenting the gift made an appreciative address
in which he says, "For nearly fifty-two years our friend has been a
member of this bar. You have all, I believe, young and old, met
him in the active practice of your profession. You know him. many
of you intimately, and you will approve my statement when I say
that no more honest, upright, unselfish, conscientious and obliging
gentleman ever practiced in this or any other court. I speak of
these characteristics because I feel their truth, and because they
should be a beacon light to guide the actions of every lawyer."
This is high praise, but it receives the endorsement, not only of the
members of his profession, but of the general public as well. Mr.
Lew's is an active member of the Unitarian church and belongs to
the fraternity of Free Masons. He was married, September 1, 1858,
to Miss Charlotte E. Clarke, born in Carbondale, Pennsylvania,
and the daughter of Addison and Cynthia M. (Arnold) Clarke.
Three daughters were born to them, Lottie Breese, (deceased),
who married William H. Holmes, of Janesville ; Jessie Russell, who
married Rev. Lloyd Skinner of Eau Claire, and Sophia M.. who was,

BIOGRAPHICAL. 563

before her marriage to Harry E. Briggs, the librarian of the Madi-
son free library, and since the death of her husband has been libra-
rian of the agricultural college of the University of Wisconsin.
The death of Mrs. Lewis occurred in August, 1884.

Ledyard Verdine Lewis, M. D., of Sun Prairie, is one of the able
and popular representatives of the medical profession in this part of
the county, where he controls an excellent practice. The doctor
claims the old Green Mountain state as the place of his nativity,
having 'been born in Cornwall, Addison county, Vermont, on July
9, 1845, and being a son of Chauncey A. and Mary Cornelia (Flana-
gan) Lewis, the former of whom was born in Cornwall, Vermont.
March 10, 1817, and the latter in Vergennes, same county, Oct. 30,
1819. Their marriage was solemnized Oct. 14, 1840, and they
came to Dane county and took up their residence at Sun Prairie,
Wisconsin, in 1854, thus becoming pioneers of this sect'on. Here
the father turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, developing
a good farm, and he continued his residence here until 1858, when
he removed to the west, being now a resident of Waterville,
Washington, and having attained to the patriarchal age of eighty-
nine years, in 1905. His loved and devoted wife died March 20,
1905. They became the parents of four children, namely : Julian C.,
who was a valiant soldier in the Civil War, meeting his death in
the battle of Gainesville, Virginia, August 28, 1862, and having
been a member of the Seventh Wisconsin regiment of volunteers
Company B ; Ledyard V., who is the immediate subject of th's
sketch ; Leslie L., who died in Virginia township, Union county,
S. D., in 1892 ; Flora E., who is the widow of Seth Huggins, of
Waterville, Wash. The honored father of these children is a
stanch Republican in his political adherency, and while a resident
of Dane county he served as treasurer of Bristol township and later
was assessor of Virginia township, Union county, S. D., where he
resided for a number of years He :s a member of the Congrega-
tional church, as was also his wife, and he early identified himself
with the Independent Order of Good Templars. His father, Alan-
son Lewis, was a brother of the late Martin Lewis, and uncle of
Judge H. M. Lewis, one of the veteran members of the bar of
Madison, where he is now incumbent of the office of referee in
bankruptcy. Dr. Ledyard V. Lewis secured his earlier educational
training in the public schools of Dane county, having attended the
high school in Sun Prairie, after which he passed about one and
one-half years as a student in the University of Wisconsin. In
1886-7 he was a student in the medical department of the Univer-

564 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

sity of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and in 1869-70 prosecuted his
technical studies in the celebrated Rush Medical College, in the
city of Chicago, from which he was graduated February 2, 1870,
duly receiving his degree of doctor of medicine and coming forth
specially well equipped £or the exacting work of his chosen pro-
fession. Shortly after his graduation he established himself in
practice in Sun Prairie, and in this part of the county he controls
a leading professional business, having been most successful in
his work and being held in affectionate regard by the many fam-
ilies to whom he has ministered. From 1872 to 1879 he was asso-
ciated in practice, and also in the conducting of a drug business
in Sun Prairie, with Dr. C. G. Cross, having been in the employ of
this pioneer physician and druggist for two years prior to forming
the alliance noted. Since 1879 he has individually continued in the
drug business, in connection with his practice, while he is one of
the leading citizens and influential business men of the town.. In
1889 he erected the building in whcih his drug store is now located
while he also owns the business block occupied by David Assorsky.
The doctor owns three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land
in Clark county, South Dakota, while he disposed of a tract of two
hundred and forty acres which he previously owned in that state.
He has been the artificer of his own fortunes, is a clear-headed and
reliable business man and has attained distinctive success. He
has one of the finest residence properties in his home town, of
which he served as president in 1884, in which year the improve-
ment of the streets was inaugurated, while he was also prominently
concerned in securing the establishment of the municipal water
works, at all times showing a public-spirited interest in local affairs.
He was postmaster of Sun Prairie for four years, during the ad-
ministration of President Harr'son, being a stanch advocate of the
principles of the Republican party. He is a member of the state
and county medical societies and also that of central Wisconsin,
being president of the last mentioned. He also belongs to the
American Medical Association. He is master of Sun Prairie
Lodge, No. 143, Free & Accepted Masons, and was the first ven-
erable counsel of the local organization of the Modern Woodmen
of America, of which he is now medical examiner. On November
20, 1872, Dr. Lewis was united in marriage to Miss Ada A. Annis.
daughter of William Annis, of Livonia, Lorain county, Ohio, and
now deceased. Dr. and Mrs. Lewis have no children.

Tollef Lewis, a furniture dealer of the village of MacFarland,
was born in the town of Dunn, June 14, 1865. His parents were

BIOGRAPHICAL. 565

Thomas and Bertha (Ommondson) Lewis, natives of Norway, and
one of the first families to settle in the town. Thomas Lewis
worked for some years for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail-
way Company, first cutting wood and later keeping boarding
house for the construction gang. He then purchased a small tract
of government land about three-quarters of a mile from the rail-
road station, and built his home. The farm he continued to en-
large until at the time of his death he had one hundred and sixty
acres. In 1882 he retired, and he and his wife made the'r home
with their son Tollef until the mother's death in 1898 ; the father
then went to "Stoughton to live with another son and died there in
1900. To Thomas and Bertha Lewis were born four children :
Ben, a farmer near Stoughton ; Anna, (Mrs. H. Lewis) lives near
MacFarland ; Eric, a retired farmer, lives in Stoughton ; and Tollef,
the subject of this sketch. Tollef Lewis was educated in the pub-
lic schools of MacFarland. When seventeen years of age he started
life for himself, he and a brother working their father's farm on
shares. Five years of that labor enabled him to buy eighty acres
from his father, on which he did general farming until 1899. In
1901 he bought several lots in the village of MacFarland and built
a modern business block, where he carries on a well-patronized fur-
niture business, transferring his stock from the Anderson block in
wh'ch he had conducted his business since 1899. The same year
that Mr. Lewis erected his business block, he built a beautiful home
just on the outskirts of the village, on a part of the old homestead.
In politics he is a Republican and is at present a supervisor, having
been elected on that ticket ; in his religious work he is affiliated
with the Norwegian Lutheran church. May 18, 1887, he married
Hannah, daughter of Jert and Randie Heltne, residents of Norway.
Three children blessed this union, Theodore G., born October 19,
1890; Raymond B.. born August 12, 1893; and Mabel, born in Aug-
ust, 1895, and died a year later. Mrs. Lewis died in September.
1895, aged twenty-seven years. On December 23, 1897, Mr. Lewis
led to the altar M'ss Julia Johnson, daughter of Halvor and Anna
(Larson) Johnson of the town of Dunn. Three children have been
born to them — Lillian L., July 2, 1899 ; Helmer E., February 7,
1901 ; and Earl, January 24. 1904.

Mathias Lindas is a dairy farmer and manager of the Medina
Creamery in the southern part of the town of Medina. He is a
native of Norway and his parents, Hans Mathias and Kari (Ender-
son) L:ndas, were born in Norway, married there and came to
America in 1857. They obtained a farm in Medina, Dane count}'.

566 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Wis., which became their permanent home and there Mr. Lindas
died in 1860 and his wife in 1902. Seven children were born to
them, of whom four are livng. The family have always been
associated with the Lutheran church. Two sons of Hans M. Lin-
das, John and Andrew, served in the Civil War; John with Com-
pany A, 29th Wisconsin Volunteers and Andrew with the 40th
Wisconsin Volunteers, Company K. Mrs. Lindas was married a
second time to Arent Hanson and one daughter, now Mrs. O. S.
Huseboe, was born to them. Mathias Lindas was born in Nor-
way, October 17, 1847, attended the common schools and the Mar-
shall Academy and learned the cooper's trade. For a time he
worked as clerk in a store but preferring a more active life he
purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which he has
managed successfully and improved in many ways. He is a Re-
publican in his political opinions and is a member of the board of
supervisors, which office he has held several times. He takes an
active part in local affairs. Mrs. Lindas was before her marriage
Miss Anna Leverson, daughter of Thore and Signe (Skalvek) Le-
verson, who came to Deerfield from Norway. Anna Leverson was
born in Deerfield, September 14, 1851, and was married to Mr.
Lindas, June 27, 1874. Six children have blessed the marriage;
Josephine Maria, Andrew Mathias, who died in infancy ; Sarah
Emelia, Carrie Henretta, Theodore Aaron and Agnes. All the
family attend the Lutheran church.

Andrew A. Linde is a prominent business man of De Forest,
cashier of the state bank, and representative of one of the old fam-
ilies of the county. His father, Andrew P. Linde, (see following
sketch) came to Windsor in 1847 and has ever since made Dane
county his home. Andrew A. Linde was born in De Forest, Dane
county, Wis., January 24, 1864, attended school in Windsor and
a'ded his father upon the farm until he was twenty-two years of
age. He became interested in the live-stock markets and has dealt
in stock for a number of years, carrying on his operation in all the
leading markets of the middle west. He still owns a farm of one
hundred and twenty acres and his home, but occupies himself
manly with his other business interests. In the organization of
the De Forest state bank in 1902, Mr. Linde took an active part
and has since been its cashier. In political sympathies he is a
Democrat and takes a prominent part in local affairs. Active in
the promotion of the Windsor free high school, he has also served
as supervisor in Windsor township and as a member of the village
board. June 18, 1890, he married Miss Nettie Knudtson, who was

BIOGRAPHICAL. 567

born in De Forest, January 23, 1871, daughter of Knudt and Car-
rie (Erickson) Knudtson. Mr. and Mrs. Linde attend the Nor-
way Grove Lutheran church. Knudt Knudtson was born in Nor-
way. January 9, 1840, son of Knudt and Sarah (Oleson) Knudtson,
both natives of Norway. Mr. Knudtson, St., died in Norway and
his widow came to Wisconsin in 1868, and now lives in De Forest,
ninety-five years of age. Her parents lived to be one hundred and
three and one hundred years of age, respectively. Knudt Knudtson
came to Madison in 1861, worked for a time in a machine-shop and
moved to De Forest in 1879, where he was a blacksmith for many
years. He marr'ed Miss Carrie Erickson and six children were
born to them ; Kate, Nettie, Edward, Emma, Oliver and Sadie.
Nettie is Mrs. Andrew A. Linde.

Andrew P. Linde was an early settler of Dane county, where he
came with his parents in 1847. and has for many years owned one
of the largest farms in the district. His father, Peter Jenson, was
born and educated in Norway, was married there to Miss Martha
Berdal and came with his wife and seven children to the United
States in 1844. One of their family died in Norway. For three
years they made their home in Spring Valley., Rock county, Wis.,
and in 1847 came to Windsor township, where Mr. Jenson ob-
tained one hundred and ten acres of government land and made it
their home, improving and building upon it with the aid of their
sons and making a substantial property. Mr. Jenson was at first
a Democrat but afterward became a Republican. With his wife
he attended the Norway Grove Lutheran church, which his fam-
ily still continue to support. Andrew P. L:nde, his son, was born
January 20. 1828, in Norway, attended school in Norway and taught
himself the English language after he came to America. He has
always occupied himself with his extensive farming interests and
for a number of years, farmed a tract of five hundred acres. At
present his farm consists of two hundred and forty-three acres of
valuable property, well under cultivation, a short distance north
of the village of De Forest. Always active in local affairs, Mr.
Linde is a Republican and has held the office of school treasurer for
many years, has served as constable and often represented h:s lo-
cality on the town board. September 13, 1850, he married Miss
Anna Hovey, daughter of Peter and Ragnhild (Stein) Hovey, both
of Norwegian birth. Mr. Hovey died in Norway and his wife came
to the LTnited States with her family in 1845 and l'ved in Rock
county, afterward in Dane county and Boone county. 111., where she
died. Thirteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Linde; Peter

568 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

(deceased), John, Joseph, Martin (deceased), Rachel (deceased),
Martin, Andrew A., Rachel, Adolph, Olons (deceased), Carl, Mar-
tha and Herman.

Carl A. Linde, assistant cashier of the state bank of De Forest,
is a brother of A. A. Linde and son of A. P. Linde. He was born
in Windsor, Dane county, Wis., January 1, 1873, attended the home
schools and entered the store of A. Moldstad at De Forest, as
clerk, when he was fifteen years old. After six and one-half years
with this firm he went to Madison and was employed as clerk by
Keeley, Neckerman and Kessenich. In 1902 he was made assist-
ant cashier of the newly organized state bank in De Forest, in
which h's brother was heavily interested and has since held the
same office. He is also a stockholder in the bank. A Democrat
in political affiliations, Mr. Linde holds the office of village treas-
urer and is actively interested in everything wh'ch tends to promote
its welfare. December 26, 1903, he married Miss Margaret A.
Moran, who was born in De Forest, Wis., daughter of John and
Ellen Moran, now of Windsor. Mr. and Mrs. Linde have one son,
Carl Adrain, born October 13, 1904. Mr. Linde is a member of the
Norway Grove Lutheran church and his wife belongs to the Roman
Catholic church,

John Lindsey, (deceased), born in County Down, Ireland, July
10, 1837, was the son of Alexander Lindsey, a teacher by profes-
sion. • He was educated in Ireland and learned the trade of a har-
ness-maker in Glasgow, where he went at the age of fifteen years.
He came to the United States in 1854 and settled in Milwaukee
where he resided one year^ when he came to Marshall and engaged
in the harness bus ness ; he sold out in 1861, and entered the army
as a private in Company B, Seventh Regiment of the Wisconsin
Volunteer Infantry, August 17, 1861. He was in the famous Iron
Brigade, and took part in nineteen engagements with the armv of
the Potomac, and was severely wounded near Petersburg, Va.
He was discharged, Aug. 21, 1864, near Whitehall, Pa. After the
war closed he returned to Marshall and opened a boot, shoe and
harness store, in which he continued until 1898 when he engaged in
general mercantile business and opened a hotel. For the latte-
purpose he built, in 1897, a fine building which is now occupied by
his family. He died Dec. 27, 1904. In politics, Mr. Lindsey was a
Democrat and was chairman of the town board for a number of
years, also town treasurer, and, in fact, held at different times,
nearly all the town offices. He was married, Dec. 9, 1868, to Miss
Christie McPerson, born in Louisville, N. Y., April 4, 1850. She

BIOGRAPHICAL. 563

was the daughter of Elijah and Margaret (Buchannan) McPerson
of Marshall, who came to Dane county in 1864 ; Mr. McPerson was
a blacksmith by trade ; in politics he is a Democrat, and both he
and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, as 's
also their daughter, Mrs. Lindsey. Mr. Lindsey belonged to the
fraternal order of Free Masons, and he and his wife had one foster-
daughter, Mrs. Kate M. Harger. Mrs. Lindsey's paternal grand-
parents were Moses McPerson, — who served and w>as wounded in
the War of 1812, — and his wife Sarah (Jackson) McPerson, who'
came to Wisconsin in the pioneer days; both of whom died in the
state of their adoption.

George H. Litch has been identified with the agricultural inter-
ests of Dane county during all of his active life, and though not
a native of the Badger state, he was so young when his parents
establ'shed their residence upon her soil that he has no knowledge
of any other place of abode. He was born in the village of Thet-
ford, Orange county, Vermont, on May 6, 1858, and is one of five
children born to George H. Litch, Sr., and his wife, whose maiden
name was Sarah W. Preston. The father was born at Norwich,
Vermont, September 16, 1823, and the mother is a native of Straf-
ford, in the same state, where she was born September 2, 1827.
The children of these parents were as follows : Luella Frances,
now the wife of Ed. Lazier of Rochelle, 111.; Susan Soph'a, the wife
of George Dow of the city of Madison ; Mary Adeline, the widow of
B. J. Knight of Rochelle, 111. ; George H., whose name introduces
this review, and Eugene P., who also resides on the old homestead.
The parents of these children came to Wisconsin in 1858 and first
bought forty acres of land in the town of Dunn and began general
farming. They remained on this farm but two years, however, and
then turned it in as part payment on one hundred acres which the
father bought in the town of Rutland, paying the difference in cash ;
and he added to this from time to time until he owned at the time
of h's death more than seven hundred acres of land, part of his
possessions being in Illinois. George H. Litch, the younger, re-
mained at home and worked under his father's direction until he
had reached the age of twenty-three years, and then he and his
brother, Eugene P.. were taken in as partners by the father, the
latter retiring from active participation in affairs and appointing
the subject of this sketch, as manager of the entire estate. This
partnership continued about eight years or until the father's death,
April 27, 1891, when the estate was divided. In this divis'on our
subject received the old homestead, upon which he and his mother

570 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

has since resided, and he has made extensive improvements, hav-
ing built large barns and sheds, and also a new residence, which
in all its appointments and furnishings corresponds well with
the average home in the more pretentions city. Mr. Litch is a well-
preserved man and does not look to be more than thirty-five years
old. He has never married, and his mother, who, despite her many
years of strenuous life, is still enjoying good health, shares his
home with him.

Mathias Lochner is one of the progressive and up-to-date far-
mers of the town of Fitchburg, and he is justly entitled to recogni-
tion as a pioneer resident of this part of the Badger state. He
was born in the k'ngdom of Prussia, Dec. 21, 1828, and received
his education in the public schools of his native land, although the
opportunities were very limited. He remained in Prussia until he
had reached the age of twenty-two years, and then migrated to
America, in 1850, with Wisconsin as his final destination. Locat-
ing at Milwaukee, he first secured employment on a steamboat,
plying the great lakes, and later turned his attention to farm work
in the town of Sun Prairie, Dane county. He was thus employed
only one summer, and was then taken sick and returned to Mil-
waukee. After he had sufficiently recovered his next employ-
ment was chopping cord wood for one winter, after which he
worked in a brck yard for three months and then went to Ken-
osha. From the latter place he went to Chicago, where he was
employed by a large lumber company, but remained in that place
only about three months, and then worked on a farm in Illinois for
seven months. He then came to the town of Berry, in Dane county
and purchased six yoke of cattle, which he used as one team for
breaking new ground, and he remained in Berry for three years,
at the end of which time he was married. Purchasing forty acres
of land, he resided thereon for twenty-four years, and then dispos-
ing of his farm he removed to the town of Springfield and worked
a farm on shares for one year. He then removed to Marshfield,
Wis., where he resided five years, and then returned to Dane
county, locating in the town of Fitchburg, which place has been his
home since 1882. A sister of our subject, Mrs. Peter Marks, re-
sides in Brooks' addition to the city of Madison, and another s'ster,
Anna, is also living. Mr. Lochner was married in May, 1858, to
Miss Barbara Smith, who is also a native of Prussia, born March 1,
1836, daughter of John and Elizabeth Smith. To the union of Mr.
and Mrs. Lochner there have been born ten children, of whom the
following facts are appropriately given, in connection with the re-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 571

view of their worthy parents : John married Elizabeth Marks and
resides in the town of Berry ; Matthew married Bridget Kenney
and resides in the town of Fitchburg, where he now fills the re-
sponsible position of town treasurer ; Mary was the third child in
order of birth, and is deceased; Peter married Katie Croud and re-
sides in Madison ; Nicholas married Tillie Kettlepeter and resides
in the town of Springfield ; Henry married Mary Holt and resides
in Madison; Willie and Michael reside at home; Katie married
Fred Tupp and resides in the town of Madison ; and Frank died in
infancy. The subject of this review proved his loyalty to the coun-
try of his adoption when the integrity of the nation was being at-
tacked in the early sixties. On February 13, 1865, he enlisted as a
private soldier in Company K of the Forty-fifth Regiment, Wis-
consin Infantry, and served with that command until July 17, 1865,
when he was mustered out, peace having been restored. During
his term of service he remained at Nashville on guard duty. Mr.
Lochner gives an unswerving allegiance to the tenets of the Demo-
cratic party, although he has never been an aspirant for public of-
fice. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church at Mad-
ison.

John Lockwood, of Dane, was born in Norway, May 30, 1811.
His paternal grandfather was Justice B. Lockwood, born in Phila-
delphia, Pa. In 1792 he was captain of an American vessel, and
during the French revolution, was captured and finally landed in
Norway. He remained there and died in 1835. His wife was a
Miss Reimers. Mr. Lockwood's maternal grandparents were na-
tives of Norway and died there. John Lockwood, Sr., was born in
1820, and educated in Norway and was a commission merchant.
He died there in 1889. His wife was Sophia (Blix) Lockwood,
born 1815 and died 1890, in Norway. They had seven children of
whom six are living, two in Boston, three in their native country,
and one, the subject of this sketch, in Dane. When he was twenty-
one, Mr. Lockwood came to Chicago, having received his tuition
in the common and private schools of Norway. He remained in the
city about a year and a half and then came to Madison and three
years later to Middleton where he remained two years. In both of
these places he was engaged in the grain commission business.
From 1872 to 1893 he was in the grain and live-stock business in
the village of Dane ; then he sold out to Caldwell & Nelll Co. For
ten years he has been in the mercantile business, with his son, O. C.
Lockwood, as manager. L:pon the death of his son, in 1899, he
took possession of the business, and in 1902. entered into a partner-

572 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

ship with Air. O. S. Jacobson. The firm is now Lockwood & Ja-
cobson, and is the leading general store of Dane. In politics, Mr.
Lockwood is a Democrat; has been assessor and town clerk for
about twelve years, and has for many years been a member of the
school board. He is an attendant and supporter of the Methodist
Episcopal church. Miss Anna Larson, born in Norway, Dec. 19,
1847. became his wife August 12, 1867. She is the daughter of Ole
Larson. Her mother was a Miss Kari, and they were both natives
of Norway; they came to Rock county in 1848. Mr. Larson served
four years in the Civil War and died in 1902, aged seventy-two'
years. His widow is now living in Iowa county. Mr. and Mrs.
Lockwood have had seven children, — John S., who died in 1885;
Ove Carl, a graduate of Valporaso normal school, died in 1899 ;
Justice B., educated in Madison academy, died in 1892; Anna T.,
educated at Madison Academy; Norman R., educated at Madison
high school ; both of these reside in Madison ; Cora May, educated
in the Lodi high school, is at home ; the youngest, John S., is still
a student of the high school of Lodi.

A. R. Loveland has served as postmaster at the village of Ore-
gon in Dane county since July 1, 1897, and no better evidence of
his efficiency and courtesy is needed than the mere statement of
this fact. He is a native-born citizen of Dane county, having first
seen the l'ght of day in Rutland township on Aug. 20, 1854. His
parents are Carpus E. and Emily L. (Colvin) Loveland, both of
whom are natives of the state of New York, but they have re-
sided in Dane county for more than fifty years, and have had the
extreme 'and somewhat rare pleasure of celebrating the golden
anniversary of their marriage. The father followed farming for a
time, and then clerked for a number of years, but he is now living
retired in the village of Oregon, his son who is the immediate sub-
ject of this review being one of the happy family circle. Carpus E.
Loveland was a member of the legislature of Wisconsin, in 1870,
was a member of the county board of supervisors for a number of
years, and also officiated for a time as justice of the peace. A. R.
Loveland received his education in the excellent schools of Rut-
land township, and as he has never married, he has always made
his home with his parents. He is a member of the Masonic order,
holding membership in the lodge at Oregon, and in politics he gives
an unswerving allegiance to the Republican party. Aside from the
office of which he is now incumbent he has never been a seeker of
political honors.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 573

A. L. Lund of the Lund Drug Co., of Cambridge, is the owner of
a large drug store and also carries a stock of books, stationery, etc.
He has always engaged in mercantile pursuits and built his pres-
ent store in 1903. His father, O. J. Lund, was born in Bergen,
Norway ; there received his education and married and worked at
the trade of the shoemaker and tanner until 1847. A. L. Lund was
was born in Christiana, Norway, and came to the United States
with his parents when a boy. Mr. Lund was employed in shoe-
making in New York city, Milwaukee, Chicago and Janesville for
several years and came to Cambridge in 1855. Here he resided un-
til 1861 when he went to Milwaukee, returning some years later to
Cambridge to spend his last years with his sons. Two children,
Alfred J and A. L., were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lund. Mr. Lund
died in 1877 and his wife in 1878. A. L. Lund attended the home
schools in the different places where his parents resided while he
was a boy and lived with his parents until the outbreak of the war
when he enlisted as a private in Company H, Twenty-seventh Wis-
consin Infantry, in January, 1862. His regiment was part of the
Army in the West after Vicksburg, Miss., in which battle it had a
share. It was the first regiment to enter Little Rock, Ark. Priv-
ate Lund was promoted to second lieutenant but was obliged by a
severe attack of fever to return home where he spent the next two
years in efforts to regain his health. When sufficiently recovered
to work he engaged in distilling at Fort Atkinson but sold the
business after a short period and returned to Cambridge where he
became proprietor of a hotel. For some years he traveled for a
commercial house and in 1903 opened his present store. Mr. Lund
is a Republican but not an active politician. Like his parents he
is a member of the Lutheran church. In March, 1862, Mr. Lund
was married to Miss Hannah Reinertson of Milwaukee and the mar-
riage was blessed with six children. George, the oldest, is in busi-
ness with his father as is also the youngest son, Norman. The
others in order of their age are Bert, Adolph, Andrew and Joseph-
ine. Mr. Lund is commander of the F. H. Potter Post, No. 229,
G. A. R. of Cambridge and has held the office for eight years. Be-
fore that t'me he was active in other offices of the post.

Theodore Lund, who has always engaged in farming and is a na-
tive of Dane county, is of Norwegian parentage. He is the son of
Benn and Matilda Lund, both natives of Norway, who were mar-
ried there and came to Wisconsin about 1860. Of their family of
thirteen children. Theodore is the youngest but one. Benn Lund re-
sided for a short time at Rock Prairie when he first came from Nor-

574 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

way but soon purchased a farm in the town of Blue Mounds.
Later he moved to Perry township and bought a farm which is now
owned by his son Theodore. Theodore was born in Perry town-
ship, April 25, 1869, and at the age of twenty-two years began to
work out as a farm-hand. He soon was able to rent a farm and
later purchased a farm in the town of York, Green county, where
he resided for eleven years. This property he sold and now re-
sides in the town of Perry where he bought one hundred and sev-
enty-seven acres of fine farm land and has a pleasant home and
well-equipped farm. Benn Lund died in 1906 and his widow still
resides in Perry. Theodore was married in September, 1893, to Miss
Carrie Gilbertson, a native of Norway, daughter of G'lbert and
Caroline Gilbertson of Blue Mounds. Five children were born to
the marriage, all of whom reside with their parents ; Elvin Lloyd,
Ida May, Clara Irene. Artie William and Obert Raymond. Mrs.
Lund spent part of her girlhood in La Fayette county, where she
was educated. She is the oldest of a family of twelve children.
Mr. Lund is a member of the Republican party although he does
not take an active part in local affairs. He attends the Norwegian
Lutheran church.

Thorvald C. Lund is numbered among the representative busi-
ness men and popular citizens of Stoughton, where he is incum-
bent of the responsible position of manager of the Mandt Wagon
Company, which represents one of the important industrial enter-
prises of Dane county. Mr. Lund was born in Sarpsburg, Norway,
November 3, 1847, and is a son of Halvor T. and Maren C. Lund,
members of sterling old families of Norway. They immigrated to
the Un'ted States in 1864, locating in Cambridge township, Dane
county, Wis., where they remained until 1872, when they removed
to Blanchardville, Lafayette county, where they engaged in the
hotel business. The father died in 1892, and the mother now main-
tains her home in Stoughton. They became the parents of four
sons and one daughter, all of whom are living. Thorvald C. Lund
was reared to maturity in his native land, where he received a col-
legiate education. He was seventeen years of age at the time of
accompanying his parents to America, in 1864, and here he initi-
ated his active business career by taking a position as clerk in a
dry-good store at Beloit, Wis., in 1865, later being similarly en-
gaged at Cambridge, Dane county. In 1871 he removed to Stough-
ton, where he entered the employ of T. G. Mandt as bookkeeper at
the wagon factory. He was finally promoted assistant manager
of the business, thus continuing as the capable aid of the founder

BIOGRAPHICAL. 57.3

of the enterprise until 1883, when Mr. Mandt organized the Stough-
ton Wagon Co., of which Mr. Lund was elected secretary, a posi-
tion of which he continued incumbent until 1898, when he resigned
his office and engaged with the Johnson Electric Service Company,
of Milwaukee, in the capacity of office manager. He remained with
that concern for a period of eighteen months, at the expiration of
which, in 1890, he returned to Stoughton and again became asso-
ciated with T. G. Mandt, who at that time effected. the organiza-
tion of the T. G. Mandt Vehicle Co. After the death of Mr. Mandt,
in 1892, the company was reorganized, being then incorporated un-
der the present title, the Mandt Wagon Co.. and becoming a branch
of the Moline Plow Co., of Moline, Illinois. Mr. Lund was then
elected local manager of the business, in which capacity he has
since continued to render most effective service. The Mandt
W7agon Co. has grown to a position of marked relative priority in
its line, its factory now being one of the largest of the sort in the
Union, with a yearly output of twenty-five thousand wagons, four
thousand manure spreaders and five thousand sets of farm sleighs.
Employment is given to more than five hundred men. Within the
period of his residence in Stoughton Mr. Lund has been honored
by his townsmen with several city offices. The first office to which
he was thus called was that of police justice, later he was city
clerk for two terms and he also served as a member of the board of
aldermen. He was clerk of the board of education for many years,
and has five times been elected and served as mayor of the city,
each of his administrations having redounded to the best interests
of the city. In politics he is a stanch adherent of the Republ'can
party, though he was aligned with the Democracy for a few years,
in the early seventies. During 1873-4 he was assistant and later su-
perintendent of public property under the administration of Gover-
nor Taylor. This office he resigned in 1874 and returned to his former
position with Mr. Mandt, after having passed one and one-half
years in the state service, at Madison. June 8, 1868, Mr. Lund was
united in marriage to Miss Margaret Johnson, who was born in
Cambridge, Dane county, Wisconsin, and they have three ch ldren,
all of whom were educated in the excellent schools of Stoughton,
Arthur H., Mattie E. and Christine M.

Gunder Lunde, of Pleasant Springs, is one of the leading 3^oung
farmers of that locality. He is a son of Iver G. and Anna (Juve)
Lunde, both natives of Hardanger, Norway, who came to America
with their parents when quite young. Iver Lunde came over in
1842 in a sailing: vessel which was six weeks en route. He landed

576 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

in New York but very soon started west and secured a tract of
wild land in section 23, Pleasant Springs. First a rude dug-out
made his home and later a log cabin. After six years spent in
clearing his farm, the western fever was still upon him and Cali-
fornia became his goal in 1849. The perilous journey overland was
made with ox teams but after four years of mining, Mr. Lunde re-
turned to Pleasant Springs, married, and obtained another farm of
wrild land, one hundred and twenty acres in section 14, the present
Lunde homestead. A log house was first built and gradually many
improvements were made. Mr. Lunde and his wife lived there the
remainder of their lives and became honored members of the com-
munity. The family has always been interested actively in the
Western Lutheran church, of which Iver Lunde was one of the
founders. Its first meetings in the early days were held in a sort
of a brush shelter on the Juve farm : Five children were born to
the Lundes, of whom four are living. Knute, the oldest, is a far-
mer of Albion, W's. ; Christina is house keeper for her brother, Guil-
der, on the old home farm ; George is a farmer of Pleasant Springs.
His wife was, before her marriage, Miss Susan Wittleson. Guilder
Lunde was born at Pleasant Springs, November 1, 1869, was edu-
cated with his brothers and sister at the district school and has al-
ways worked on the farm. In 1898 he bought the home farm and
has since carried on a general farming business. He raises tobacco,
grain, etc., and considerable stock. Like his father, Guilder Lunde
is a Republican but does not take an active part in politics. He is
also a warm adherent of the Western Lutheran church and promi-
nent in its management.

Ole K. Lunde, a substantial farmer of the town of Pleasant
Spr'ngs, was born at Pleasant Springs, Dane county, Wis.. July 19,
1850. His parents were Kittle and Torger (Oleson) Kittleson, na-
tives of Telemarken, Norway- In 1843 Kittle Kittleson and his
wife (grandparents of the subject of this sketch) came to America
in a sailing vessel. They landed at Quebec, came to Milwaukee by
steamer and from Milwaukee to Pleasant Springs by team, where
they located on a farm on section 9. Ole Lunde's father died in
1852, and the widow married his brother, Guilder Kittleson. Both
Guilder and Kittle Kittleson were Lutherans and assisted in the
construction of the old log Lutheran church. Mrs. Kittleson had
two children by her first husband. Ole K. Lunde and Jorand, the
wife of T. G. Mandt of Stoughton. Five children blessed the sec-
ond union, — Charles, deceased; Tobias, living in Pleasant Springs;
Tonne, the wife of Osmund Drotning of Pleasant Springs; Ella, the

BIOGRAPHICAL. 577

wife of T. O. Mandt of Windsor; and Lewis. Ole K. Lunde had
such educational advantages lis the schools of the vicinity afforded.
He lived at home until he was twenty-three years old and then
went to Stoughton, where he worked in a carriage factory for five
years. In 1877 he located on what was then known as the Grims-
rude place, where he has since made his home. All the improve-
ments on the place have been made by Mr. Lunde. While he does
general farming and a little dairying, his specialty is tobacco. As
a Republican Mr. Lunde is now serving his town as supervisor for
the sixth year. He has also been a member of the school board.
His church affiliations are with Christ Lutheran church of Stough-
ton. On May 24, 1877, he married Augusta, daughter of Helger
and Berget (Oleson) Severson, natives of Norway, who came to
Pleasant Springs in 1843 and passed away in their home there.
To Ole and Augusta Lunde have been born seven children, — Clar-
ence, who died at the age of eighteen ; Daisy and George, both at
home ; Adolph and Oswald, twins, Oswald having passed away ;
Joseph and Ovedia. Mr. Lunde is a hard-working and industrious
citizen.

Orin N. Luraas, a prominent farmer of Dunkirk, was born on the
farm which is now his home, October 1, 1856. The pioneer of the
family in Wisconsin was John Nelson Luraas, father of Orin N.,
who came from Norway in 1839. John was born in Telemarken,
Norway, Dec. 25, 1813, married Anna Olson Berg and first located
at Muskego, Racine county. Wis., of which he was one of the
founders. After four years in Muskego, the family changed their
residence to Dane county and arrived in the town of Dunkirk, June
16, 1843. Here Mr. Luraas obtained a farm of two hundred and
ninety acres in section 3 and was the first settler in the v'cinity
known as Wheeler Prairie. The five years between Octpber, 1868,
and the autumn of 1873 were spent by Mr. Luraas and his family
in WTebster county, Iowa, and from there they returned to the
farm in Dunkirk, where they lived until 1886 when they moved to
Stoughton. where Mr. Luraas died in 1890. Nels Johnson, father
of John N. Luraas, joined the family in Wisconsin in 1845 but
lived only two years after his arrival. Five children were born to
Mr. and Mrs. Luraas ; John, Orin N.. Cornelia, the wife of Ole Nel-
son, Isabel (Mrs. Sam. Johnson), and Anna (Mrs. Ole Lewis).
Orin N. received his education in the schools of Dane county and
Webster county. Iowa, and has always engaged in farming. He
is the sole owner of the old homestead and a successful and prosper-
ous farmer. Oct. 25, 1888, he married Miss Lena Johnson, born
37— iii

578 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

May 4, 1862, daughter of Sure and Bertha (Anderson) Johnson,
who were natives of Norway and pioneers of Dunn township, where
they lived on the same farm over forty years. Six children blessed
the marriage ; Florence L., Valborg L., O. Melvin, Joel, A. Burn-
ette and Lydia N. The family are stanch adherents of the Nor-
wegian Lutheran church, of which Mr. Luraas' father was a most
devoted member. They are active in church work and belong to
the First Lutheran church in Stoughton. Mr. Luraas is a Republi-
can in his political affiliations.

Richard Lynch, 302 W. Wilson St., Madison, is a native of Ire-
land. FLs parents, Michael and Mary (Buckly) Lynch, were both
born in Ireland. His father was a railroad contractor, and in com-
pany with his uncle by marriage, John Noonan, built the second
railroad into the city of Baltimore about 1833. The father came
to this country in 1829, but lived only about seven years; he d'ed
in Georgetown. Maryland. Mrs. Lynch married the second time
and although Richard had no own brothers or sisters, he had twelve
half-brothers and sisters ; of these there remains only one, T. J.
McCarthy, of St. Paul, chief ticket agent for the Chicago, St. Paul.
Minneapolis & Omaha Railway. His mother died in Galena. 111.
From Maryland, Richard Lynch went with his mother to Boston,
where he lived one year, and then moved to Stonington, Conn.,
where he remained until he was about twenty-eight, and where he
was educated. Dec. 10, 1854, he came to Madison by way of Chi-
cago, Afton and Janesville, coming from Afton to Janesv!lle by
stage. The country was new then and Madison a little village in
the woods, but he located here and his fortunes grew with the
growing city. He followed his father's business of contract'ng,
and interested himself in the affairs of public welfare. He is a
Republican, and has several times been nominated for city offices.
He married Miss Margaret McMahon. daughter of Peter McMahon,
a native of Ireland, where Mrs. Lynch was born also. Their wed-
ding occurred June 10, 1857. They have three children living, Mrs.
Timothy McCarthy. Mrs. Patrick Lynch and Mrs. Robert Kerr, all
residents of Madison. The children were all educated in Madison.
Charles P. Bennett, a son of Mr. Lynch's half sister is, and has been
for over twenty years, secretary of state of Rhode Island. His
home is in Providence, and another nephew is a leading physician
of the same city.

Michael L. Lyons, proprietor of the Lion Laundry of 313 Will-
iamson street, Madison, was born in Oswego. N. Y., May 8, 1858.
His parents were M:chael and Elizabeth (Gorahan) Lyons, both

BIOGRAPHICAL. 579

natives of Ireland. The father was a hotel-keeper for a number
of years, and upon his retirement from that business he went to
farming. About 1870 he brought his family to Dane county, set-
tling in the town of Westport, where the father died at the age of
eighty-seven years. The mother is still living. Michael L. was
the fourth of eight children — John, the night watch in the state
capitol ; Patrick, died in Madison at the age of fifty-one ; Martin,
employed in his brother's laundry ; Edward, lives in La Crosse ;
Ella. Margaret and Timothy, all deceased. Michael's education
was received in the district schools of the town of Westport. His
first labor was done on a farm, but agricultural pursuits did not ap-
peal to h"m, and he quit to learn the blacksmith trade under his
brother, Patrick. For a time blacksmithing furnished him a means
of livelihood and then he drifted into the laundry business in 1884.
For twenty-one years Mr. Lyons was actively connected with the
management of the F. F. F. laundry of Madison, severing his con-
nection in 1905 to engage in the same business with Nels A. Ladd.
The Lion Laundry, which these two gentlemen now conduct, is
probably the most completely and most modernly equipped plant in
the state. Mr. Lyons is a Republican in his politics, belonging to
the La Follette wing of that party. He has served two years as
under-sheriff of his county and was for some years a member of
the Madison police force. While serving in the latter capacity he
served on the governor of Ohio the first requisition Gov. La Fol-
lette ever issued. He is a member of the Catholic church. Fra-
ternally he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order
of Elks and has the distinct'on of being the second Madisonian to
take the obligations of that order.

Ole P. Lysager is a member of Rutland's Norwegian community
and owns a fine farm in the township. With his father, Paul Ly-
sager, and his brother, he came to America in 1878. Paul Lysager
was born at Vaage, Gudbrasdalen, Norway, and there married
Miss Gertie Sveum, a native of the same place. There their s'x
children were born and Mr. Lysager had a small farm. Mrs. Ly-
sager died in 1875 and her husband and two sons, Ole P. and Paul,
soon embarked for America. The daughters, Mary, who now lives
at Black River Falls, Annie, the wife of S. O. Hangen of Dunkirk
and Mary, who is Mrs. S. Sveum of Dunkirk, soon followed them
and all located at Pleasant Springs. Ole P. was born in Vaage,
January 25, 1862, attended school in Norway and after assisting
his father in making a start in the new home, purchased for him-
self a farm of eighty acres in the town of Rutland, which is his

580 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

present home. It is sometimes called the "Old Coburn place," but
under Mr. Lysager s careful management has been improved very
greatly, the buildings remodelled and new barns, etc., erected.
Considerable tobacco is raised and grain, hay, etc. In October,
1888, Mr. Lysager married Miss Annie O. Rustom, also of Nor-
wegian birth. Her parents, Ole and Ingabret Rustom, are living
in Norway but four of their children came to Wisconsin. John
lives with his sister, Annie ; Ole lives in Green county ; Mary is
Mrs. Thomas Klevan of Pleasant Springs. Mr. and Mrs. Lysager
have five children, all at home ; Nora, Alma, Paul, Henry and Alvin.
They attend the schools of Rutland and Stoughton. Mr. Lysager
is a Republican and interested in school affairs. He has held sev-
eral local offices and been a member of the school board. He is
a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church of Stoughton.

James McCarthy is a native of Ireland and has been engaged in
farming in the town of Dunkirk, Dane county, since 1857. He was
born in Kinnaigh parish, County Cork, Ireland,, August 15, 1834, son
of John and Ellen (Murphy) McCarthy, with whom he lived until his
seventeenth year. In 1851 he took passage for the United States
and landed in Boston, Mass. in May of that year. For six years fol-
lowing he lived in Lewiston Falls, Maine, where he was employed at
various occupations and in 1857 traveled west to Wisconsin, locating
in the town of Dunkirk. He purchased a farm of forty acres, which
formed the nucleus of the present fine property of three hundred and
twenty acres which is his homestead and he also now owns a farm of
two hundred and forty acres one mile east of his home. The land was
quite unimproved when purchased by Mr. McCarthy and of all the im-
provements have been made by him, buildings erected, etc. In 1855
Mr. McCarthy married Miss Catherine Driscoll, also a native of
County Cork, Ireland, and a large family blessed the marriage. Ele-
ven children grew to 'maturity ; John J., Charlie (deceased), Cornelius,
Ellen, who is the wife of William Nichols, Timothy. James, Jr., Wil-
liam D., Thomas H., Joseph, Frank J., and Edward. John J., is a prac-
ticing attorney in Nebraska and member of the house of representa-
tives from his congressional district. Thomas H. is a well-known
physician of Janesville, Wis.. Joseph is connected with the Hollister
Drug Company of Madison, Wis. William is also practicing law in
Nebraska. The other sons are successful farmers. Mr. McCarthy
and his family are devout members of the Roman Catholic church.
Mr. McCarthy has 'for many years been identified with the Republi-
can party and takes a warm interest in school matters, for several
terms serving as clerk of the school board of the town of Dunkirk.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 581

Alexander McCaughn, of Lodi, Columbia county, was born in
Antrim, Ireland, July, 1822. where his parents, Charles and Sarah
(Christie) McCaughn, were also born, and where the former died
in 1837, aged sixty years. x\'fter her husband's death, Mrs. Mc-
Caughn came, in 1841, with her family, to New York. After a
short stay in the city, Alexander came with his mother to Dela-
ware county, N. Y., where she died in 1857. The son continued
his residence there for fourteen years. In 1855 he removed to
West Point, Columbia county, Wis., and two years later changed
his residence to Dane county, and settled on the farm now owned
by Mrs. McCaughn. It consisted orignally of one hundred and
twenty acres, but Mr. McCaughn subsequently increased it by the
purchase of eighty acres more, thus owning at the time of his
death, a farm of two hundred acres. The farm was uncultivated
at the time of his first occupancy, and it is to his energy and in-
dustry that all of its improvements are due. The property is
operated for stock raising and general farming. Mr. McCaughn
was a Republican, but did not care for active participat:on in politi-
cal affairs. He and his family were associated with the Methodist
Episcopal church of Lodi. He was twice married, but had no chil-
dren by his first wife, Margaret Steele, daughter of Robert Steele.
She was born in Deleware county, N. Y., and died in 1874, aged
fifty years. In 1875, Mr. McCaughn married Mary Steele,
daughter of Samuel Steele and granddaughter of Robert Steele,
who was born in Iowa county, in 1855. Samuel Steele was
born in Delaware county. N. Y., in 1824, and his wife, Ruth Far-
well, was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1833. He came to
Iowa county, Wis., in 1848, where he married and resided a num-
ber or years. He afterward lived for a time in Illinois, later in
Minnesota, and finally, in 1871, returned to Wisconsin and settled
in Baraboo. His wife died in 1885, but he remained in his home
until 1899, when he took up his residence with his daughter. Mrs.
McCaughn. until his death in 1901. He was a farmer by occupa-
tion, a Democrat, and later a Prohibitionist in politics, and both he
and his wife were members of the Congregational church of Bara-
boo. Of his seven children there are still three living. Mrs. Mc-
Caughn's maternal grandfather, Isaac Farwell, was born in
Charleston. Cheshire county, X. H., May 14, 1804, and his wife,
Mahala (Daniels) Farwell, was born in Rutland, Rutland county.
Yt., December 30, 1801. They were married January 10, 1825, at
New Fane, Niagara county, N. Y. and came to Rochester, N. Y.
They were afterward among the early settlers of Ashtabula county,

582 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

O., and later- came to Iowa county, Wis., where both died, Mrs.
Farwell in 1873 and her husband in 1883. Five children were the
issue of the marriage of Alexander McCaughn and his second wife,
Mary Steele: Charles, born May 13, 1876; William, born January
21, 1877; Rollo, born July 17, 1880; Emery S., born February, 1884;
Howard, born August 2, 1887. Of these the eldest died in infancy.
The others were educated in the common and high school of Lodi,
and William resides at present in that town. Rollo and Emery S
occupy farms in the vicinity of their former home, and the youngest,
with his family, lives upon the old homestead. Beside the chil-
dren born into the family, Lura West, daughter of Iola West, and
niece of Mrs. McCaughn, who was born in Baraboo, February 7,
1883, was adopted when she was two years old, and has made her
home with Mrs. McCaughn since that time.

Frederick S. McChesney, of Waunakee, is a native of Vienna
township, Dane. His genealogy as preserved in the family is as fol-
lows: i. John McChesney in 1763 immigrated to America when six
weeks old ; he married Abigal Stevens, of Rupert, Vt., and died in
Oswego Co., N. Y. in 1824. John McChesney and probably several
brothers served in the Revolutionary War ; he also served in 1812 as
did three or four of his sons, one of them the grandfather of the sub-
ject of this sketch. 2. John McChesney, born 1795, was an early set-
tler of Selkirk, Port Ontario, Oswego county, N. Y., to which place
he came before 1812 with Robert, James, and William, his brothers,
and there died in 1832. He married Betsey Winch (see below). 3.
Rudolph McChesney), born in Richland, Oswego county, N. Y., Decem-
ber 21, 1824, married 1856 Hannah Shaq) 4 see below), daughter of
Job Sharp, and a native of Easington, Durham county, England ; died
October 1, 1891 ; his children were, Rudolph, born August 21, 1857
and died June 29, 1862; John, born June 7, 1859; William, born July
17, 1861 ; and died September 19, 1889; Frederick S. (subject of
sketch) born May 6, 1864; Joseph B., born July 19, 1866S Elizabeth
Ann, born January 2, 1869 and died January 21, 1888; Rosa, born
September 10, 1874. 4. Frederick S. McChesney married March 16,
1892, Miss Amelia Bresemann, daughter of John and Minnie (Dabe-
low) Bresemann, all natives of Strasburg, Germany, who came to the
village of Dane in 1890 and there reside. Their children are six;
Cora Elizabeth, born February 7, 1893; Harvey Winch, horn June 22.
1894; Oliver Frederick, born March 26, 1899; Rudolph John, born
March 14, 1903; Esther Hannah and Lester James, born April 30,
1905. The maternal great grandfather of F. S. McChesney was
Benj. Winch, born 1767; an early settler (1801) of Pulaski, Oswego

BIOGRAPHICAL. 583

county, N. Y. where he built the first house ; he came to Rock county,
Wisconsin, in 1849; ne was ciyil engineer, and surveyor in both Os-
wego county and in Rock. He was united in marriage to BetseySmith,
born at Whitesboro, X. Y. in 1772;, and who died October 15, 1843.
Betsey, daughter of Benj. and Betsey (Smith) Winchney, was born
in Worchester, Mass., 1791 and died in Oswego county, N. Y., in
1879. Maternal grandfather was Jo'b Sharp, a native of England,
who died there in 1842; his wife Margaret (Dixon) Sharp died 1871.
The father of the subject of this sketch was educated in X. Y. ;
came to Rock county in 1848, and to Dane about 1850. He owned
in Vienna township eight hundred and forty acres of land in one
farm, and other land amounting to about seventeen hundred! acres.
He was an independent in politics as was also his son Frederick.
The latter was educated in the common schools, the academy of
Mad'son and the Xorthwestern Business college, being a graduate
of the last. He is a carpenter and wagon-maker by trade, and also
a farmer. He owns three hundred and sixty acres of land which
is run for general farming and stock-raising. He has a consider-
able acreage of tobacCo and keeps short-horn cattle and Poland
China hogs.

Joseph B. McChesney, of Dane, was born in Vienna township,
July 19, 1866. He is of English and Irish ancestry, the son of Ru-
dolph McChesney, mentioned in this work, whose grandfather took
part in the Revolutionary War. He attended the common schools
of Vienna township, but when he was nineteen years of age the ill-
ness of his father threw upon him the care of the farm of eight hund-
red and forty acres. He followed farming for eighteen years, and in
1903 he moved to the village of Dane and engaged in the agricultural
implement business. He still owns one hundred acres of land in Vi-
enna township. Mr. McChesney is a Republican, and was for years
a member of the school board in Vienna; he is at the present time a
member of the board of trustees for the village of Dane. Xovember
24, 1887, he was married to Miss Frances DeBower, to whom three
children were born, Edna Mabel; Viola Blanche; Lesley Dwight, (de-
ceased). Mr. McChesney married as his second wife, Miss Fannie R.
Hyslop, January 29, 1896. She was born in Dane, August 19, 1868,
and was the daughter of Robert Hyslop, born in Lanarkshire, Scot-
land, September 25, 1830, and his wife Martha (Anderson) Hyslop,
born in Dumfrieshire, Scotland, August 12, 1837. Mr. Hyslop came
to Peoria, 111., in 1857, and in 1858 to Vienna township; later he set-
tled in Dane township where he died. He was a farmer. Mr. Mc-
Chesney has three children bv his second wife, Robert Grav, born

584 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

December 14, 1897; Annie Elizabeth, born August 9, 1899; Martha
Ruth, born November 8, 1901.

B. McDermott Sons is the firm name of the leading mercantile
establishment in the village of Oregon, and it is now being success-
fully managed and kept up to the high standard attained, by George
and William [McDermott, sons of Bernard McDermott, who was the
founder of the establishment. Bernard McDermott was a native of
Vermont, and lived in the Green Mountan state until his removal to
Wisconsin in 1881. His occupation in early life was that of a marble-
cutter, but after coming to Wisconsin he entered the merchantile
business at the village of Orgon, in Dane county, and successfully
conducted a department store until his death, September 5, 1901. To
his energy, honesty, and superior intelligence is due the extraordin-
ary success with which he met in the mercantile business, and his
sons, who' took charge of the business at the time of their father's
death, have found no better talisman than the precepts of their sire.
Bernard McDermott chose as his helpmate in life Miss Sarah Mc-
Xulla, who is also a native of Vermont, and who still lives with her
children at Oregon. She is the mother of two sons and one daughter,
the latter being the wife of J. F. Litel, Jr., who is given more ex-
tensive mention upon another page of this publication. George Mc-
Dermott and his brother, William B. McDermott, were both born in
Rutland, Vermont, the former on February 19, 1876, and the latter
on January 9, 1880. As will be seen they were very young when
their parents removed to Wisconsin, and they received their education
in the high school at Oregon, each of them supplementing the knowl-
edge obtained there by a course in a commercial college at Madison.
Thus they were splendidly equipped, both in the matter of experience
and scholastic training, to take up the work of their father at the time
of his demise, and since that sad event they have given their undi-
vided attention to mercantile affairs ; and it should be added, with
very gratifying success. Neither of them are married. In politics
they maintain an unswerving allegiance to the Democratic party, and
in religious affairs they are members of the Catholic church.

John McDermott, deceased, was one of the most promising
young farmers of the town of Fitchburg, where he had lived from
early childhood, and by industry, integrity and neighborly kind-
ness had won the high regard of a large circle of acquaintances
who sincerely mourned his untimely taking off. He was born in
the state of Vermont, January 6. I860, of pure Irish lineage, his
parents John and Mary (Kivlin) McDermott both having been
natives of the little green island. The subject of this review came

BIOGRAPHICAL. 585

to Dane county, Wis., with his parents about 186(3. and his educa-
tional training was received in the district schools of Lake View.
The father purchased a farm in the town of Fitchburg, which he
operated until his death in November 1892. and after h/s demise
the son took charge of affairs, and purchased the homestead, the
mother continuing to reside there until her death, in 1902. After
the death of our subject, which occurred July 26, 1893, his widow
remained on the farm until 1905, when she removed to the city of
Madison, for the purpose of giving her children the excellent edu-
cational advantages there afforded. Mr. McDermott was married
in February, 1885, to Miss Catherine Kivlin, of the town of Fitch-
burg. and to the mvon there was born three children: Francis
Bernard, May Myra. and Lawrence John. A more extended
sketch of the Kivlin family appears in the biography of John Kiv-
lin, elsewhere in this volume. Mr. McDermott was a Catholic in
his relig:ous faith, and his political views were expressed by an un-
swerving allegiance to the Democratic party.

William H. McFarland, after whom the village of McFarland is
named, was born in London, England. March 6, 1820. His parents
were John and Elizabeth McFarland, natives of England. When
fourteen years old William McFarland came to America on the
largest vessel then plying between the two countries. He had
shipped as steward of the ship, which touched at Charleston, S. C,
for a cargo of cotton. When it was learned that the cotton had
been shipped otherwise the crew were released from their con-
tracts. Mr. McFarland started in to learn the carpenter's trade, at
which he worked for three years. Owing to three attacks of
fever, he gave up his life in the south and went to New York
From there he drifted to Albany, then to Buffalo and by steamer
to Milwaukee. The carpenter's trade offered a livelihood for three
years. About this time the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad
Company was building its line and Mr. McFarland secured em-
ployment with it. He built the first box car used on the line and
was later made construction superintendent. After four years at
this kind of work he tendered his resignation, wislvng to have
work which would allow him to remain at home. The railroa 1
company which later became the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul,
desired a station between Madison and Stoughton and proposed
to McFarland that he should buy land and build a depot and the
company would make him agent and pay him a salary. The first
part of the agreement was duly carried out and the latter carried
out its part, naming the place McFarland. The old depot which

586 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Mr. McFarland built is still standing, though not used by the com-
pany. In politxal matters he is independent, and with character-
istic self-reliance, he backs his opinion with his vote. In church
affairs he works with the Congregational society. Mr. McFarland
lias been twice married. By his first wife he had three children,
only one of whom is now living, a daughter, who is married and
resides in the east. In 1879, Mr. McFarland married Mrs. Celia
Nelson, daughter of Nels and Martha (Olson) Aagerson, natives
of Norway. By her previous marriage Mrs. McFarland had had
seven children, five of whom are now living, — Martha (Mrs. Scru-
ven), Osage, la.; John, a liveryman of McFarland; Louis (married
Laura Johnson), McFarland; Eddie, at home; and Mary (Mrs.
William Mack), of Dunn township. To Mr. and .Mrs. McFarland
have been born three children: William, born April 15, 1880, died
at the age of ten ; Joseph, born October 7, 1881, married Mary
Hovey, and lives in McFarland ; and Charles, lives at home. Of
"his original purchase of one hundred and sixty acres of govern-
ment land Mr. McFarland still retains three lots, and on them has
"built the home where he expects to pass the remainder of his days.
Besides his other attainments he is something of a poet, and has
written some very clever verses about the village bearing his
name. Though well advanced in years he is still keenly alive to
everything of interest in the village. Beloved and respected by his
neighbors he is passing his last years among the scenes of his
youthful labors.

Stewart McGaw is a prominent farmer of Fitchburg, in which
town he has had his residence since the days of his childhood. He
was born in County Derry, Ireland, in September, 1843, and his par-
ents were Samuel and Mary (Hughes) McGaw, both of whom were
also natives of the Emerald Isle. In 1849 the father migrated with
his family to America and for a time worked as a helper in a foundry
at Patterson, N. Y. He then continued his journey westward to the
city of Chicago, where for one year he was employed in the McCor-
mick machine works, having charge of the entire plant. He had been
an acquaintance of the senior Mr. McCormick in Ireland. After leav-
ing the McCormick Machine Co., Mr. McGaw came to the city of
Madison where he was first employed as a carpenter assistant in
the erection of buildings, and later worked as a common laborer for
two years, after which he took a farm on conditions of taking good
care of the timber and paying the taxes. On this place he broke
forty-five acres of new ground, and he lived thereon until 1867, when
lie bought a tract of ninety-five acres in the town of Fitchburg. where

BIOGRAPHICAL. 587

the subject of this review now resides. There the father and mother
lived the remainder of their allotted years, the mother dying in Feb-
ruary, 1874, and the father passing away in 1892. They were the
parents of eleven children, only three of whom are now living: Eliz-
abeth, who is the wife of Thomas McFadden; James, who resides in
Patterson, N. J., and Stewart, whose name introduces this memoir.
Our subject received his education in the district schools of the town
of Fitchburg and remained at home with his parents until the death
•of his mother, soon after which he was married and has since con-
tinued to reside at the old homestead. The date of his marriage was
May 14, 1874, and the lady of his choice was Miss Mary Steele, who
is also a native of Ireland, born September 15, 1854, daughter of Wil-
liam and Margaret (Cammel) Steele ; her parents now reside in
Evansville, Wis. Mrs. McGaw is one of eleven children born to Mr.
and Mrs. Steele, and eight are now living: Jennie, Thomas, Margaret,
William, Robert, Ida and Tina— all residing at or near Evansville, —
and Mary who is1 the wife of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. McGaw are the
parents of eight children: Mary married Edward Haight, and resides
in Milwaukee; Lizzie M. married John Sommers, and resides in Syene;
James is deceased; Matilda resides at home; Jennie is deceased; Sam-
uel and Ida M. reside at home, and Cecil is deceased. Mr. McGaw is
a Democrat in his pohtical affiliations, but has never aspired to official
position, preferring to give his undivided attention to his agricultural
interests.

John A. McGuiggan, cashier of the bank of Verona, was born in
Hastings, Dakota county, Minn.. January 8, 1880. He is the son
of Anthony and Anna (McDermott) McGuiggan. His father was
born :n Dunmore, Lackawanna county, Penn., and his mother is a
native of Hastings, Minn. They now reside at Delevan, Minn.,
where Mr. McGuiggan is engaged in a general blacksmith and ma-
chinery business. They have a family of ten children, all living,
of whom the subject of tlrs sketch is the oldest. He was educated
in the high schools of Winnebago City and Delavan, Minn. After
leaving school he entered the bank of Delavan as clerk, from there
be went in the same capacity to the Faribault county bank, at Win-
nebago City, and from there to Wells National bank at Wells,
Minn. On April 1. 1003, he accepted the position as cashier of the
bank of Verona, which position he has since held. He is a mem-
ber of the F. H. C, of Delevan, Minn. When a resident of Dele-
van he served as treasurer of the village and was elected town
clerk of Verona in 1006.

588 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

William J. McKay, dealer in real estate and insurance in Madi-
son, was born in County Down, Ireland, near Belfast, May 29, 1847.
He was a son of William and Margaret McKay, natives of Ireland, but
of Scotch-Irish extraction. In 1852 William McKay brought his fam-
ily to this country. Their first home was near Port Washington,
where the father owned a farm. In 1856 they moved to Dodge
county, where the father died just before the war, at the age of forty-
five. In early life he had been a member of the Presbyterian church,
but had later united with the Baptist society, in whose church he was
for several years a deacon. The mother was also a member of the
Baptist society. She passed away in 1893 at the age of seventy-nine.
Of the eight children in the family, six are living. They are Agnes,
resides with a sister, Mrs. Jones, in Madison; William J.; James, lives
>n Oklahoma; Sarah H., now Mrs. D. W. Jones, lives in Madison;
Robert, a prominent merchant of Los Angeles, Cal. The deceased
are Mary, Mrs. W. H. Pier, of Richland Center, Wis.; Sarah, the
eldest, killed in a railway wreck at Niles, Mich., on the arrival of the
family in this country; and another child "vybo died in infancy. Dr.
McKay received his early education in the common schools of the
state. In February, 1865, he enlisted in Company I, Forty-fourth
Wisconsin Infantry, and did service in Tennessee, Kentucky and Ala-
bama, and though but seventeen years of age he stood the service
well. In 1869 he received a license to preach the gospel from the
Methodist Episcopal church.- After three years spent in the ministry
he took further studies at Northwestern University in Evanston. His
first pastorate was at Mount Sterling, Wis., where he remained three
years; the second was Avoca, a circuit charge; then he was stationed
at Liberty Pole, Richland Center, Eau Claire, Lake street church and
Baraboo; at the end of two years' service at Baraboo he was made
presiding elder of the Eau Claire district, but the duties of the posi-
tion were too arduous for Dr. McKay's impaired health and he was
obliged to resign. He accepted a call to the church at Merrimac,
where he' remained a year and then returned to Baraboo. Then a
year at Portage followed, and four years were spent as pastor of the
Madison church. During his incumbency of the Madison charge the
auditorium of the present magnificent church was completed. From
Madison he went to Sparta and then to Chippewa Falls, staying three
years in the two places, at the end of which time he was again made
a presiding elder, this time of the Madison district. He served the
full term of six years and then was appointed pastor of the First
Methodist Episcopalian church at La Crosse. After two years he
was transferred to the Rock River conference and was appointed to

BIOGRAPHICAL. 589

the church at Waukegan. In the fall of 1902 Dr. McKay gave up
his active work in the ministry because of failing health and suc-
ceeded to the real estate business of C. F. Cronk in Madison. Since
that time he has been supernumerary of the church, responding to
extra service calls and assisting in various church functions. During
his thirty-three years in the Methodist ministry he has united in mar-
riage nearly four hundred people and has said the last words of con-
solation over the remains of many departed souls. Four times he
served as delegate to the general conferences of his church, — at Phil-
adlphia in 1884, New York in 1888, Cleveland in 1896, ana Chicago
in 1900. He has always been deeply interested in temperance and
Sunday school work, and for a number of years did considerable ef-
fective lecture work in these causes. Political he is a Prohibitionist
and has a number of times been the candidate of his party for office.
In 1881 he was .the nominee for assemblyman and polled nearly six
hundred votes, the* issue being the submission of the prohibitory law
to the people of the state. The second time he was the nominee of
his party for the same office the issue was the general principle of
the temperance law. In 1904 he was the Prohibition candidate for
congressman and polled nine hundred and fifty-eight votes. In 1894,
Lawrence University, of Appleton, Wis., conferred the degree of Doc-
tor of Divinity upon Mr. McKay. On January 1, 1875, Dr. McKay
married Mrs. A. A. McKtendric, a native of West Virginia, and a
daughter of Dr. Isaiah and Malinda Roberts. They are the parents
of five children. — Helen L., lives at home and teaches music ; Evarts
S.. a printer in Rockford. 111. ; Raymond R., a mechanic in Chicago;
William, and Paul W., in business with his father. All the children
are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Dr. McKay is a
meimber of Lucius Fairchild Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of
Madison, and is at present serving his second term as its commander.
He has been a member of the old Washingtonians, Good Templars,
Sons of Temperance and the Temple of Honor. Dr. McKay is recog-
nized as a great success in his present business as he was in the min-
istry He is accounted one of the leading citizens of Madison.

Jerry V. McKee, D. D. S., is one of the rising young professional
men of the city of Madison, and during the four years in which he
has been engaged in the practice of dentistry he has by his super-
ior skill and close attention to business secured a patronage that
would do credit to an establishment much older; but added to the
qualities mentioned, that have been so conducive to his success,
is the fact that Dr. McKee is a Dane county boy, and by a life of
rectitude and moral probity he has won a place in the esteem of

590 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

a large circle of acquaintances that would have been a valuable
asset in any vocation that he might have decided to follow. He
was born on a farm in the town of Fitchburg, where his parents
then resided, December 3, 1878, and is one of eleven children born
to Dennis and Bridget ( Sweeney) McKee, both of whom were na-
tives of Ireland. The father came to the United States in early
manhood, and after a residence of three years in the state of New
York, came to Madison, Wis., in 1859, making the trip by way of
Chicago and driving overland most of the way. He lived in Madi-
son about three years and then located in the town of Fitchburg,.
where he purchased forty acres of land and began the kfe of a far-
mer. By close application to business and tireless industry he met
with success from the very start, and was soon able to add forty
acres more to his landed possessions, then an eighty-acre tract,,
followed by another of one hundred and sixty acres and then the
addition of eleven more, making a total of three hundred and forty-
one acres of well-improved farming land wh:ch he still owns. The
father cleared and improved the land himself, and now lives in re-
tirement in the city of Madison, quietly enjoying the fruits of his
early toil and endeavor, wlrle two of his sons remain upon the old
homestead and superintend the management of its affairs. The
names of the children of Dennis McKee and wife, with other
facts concerning them, are given as follows: William resides at
129 North Franklin street in the city of Madison; Bridget is the
wife of a Mr. Frenzel and resides in St. Paul ; Margaret is also a
resident of St. Paul ; Nora makes her home with her parents and
is at present a teacher in the schools of Green Bush, Wis. ; Cather-
ine is the wife of a Mr. Swedlend and resides at Evanston, 111.;
Sarah kves in Durand, Wis. ; Jerry V., is the subject of this re-
view ; and Anna, Bess, Mary and Julia reside at home. Dr. J. V.
McKee, whose name introduces this review, received his primary
education in the Fitchburg district schools, and was afterward gradu-
ated from the aceademy in the city of Madison. During the school va-
cations he remained at home, working on his father's farm until
he had reached the age of twenty years. Then, after completing
his course at the Madison academy, he entered the Chicago Dental
College for the purpose of making himself proficient in his chosen
profession, and was graduated from that institution with the class
of 1902. He then returned to Madison and opened a dental office
at No. 3, West Main street, where he has since given his undivided
attent:on to the practice of dentistry, and, as heretofore, stated,
with very gratifying success. In politics he maintains an hide-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 591

pendent attitude, supporting men and measures as they meet his
approval, and his religious faith is expressed by membership in the
Catholic church. His fraternal affiliatinos are with the Benevolent
and Protective Order of Elks and the Sigma Delta fraternity of
Chicago and the Knights of Columbus at Madison.

William F. McKee takes his place in that large and highly re-
spected portion of the population of the city of Mad:son, commonly
spoken of as retired farmers, and although he is yet a compara-
tively young man he has achieved success and distinction in the
affa:rs of his life. He was born in the city of Madison, November
1, 1860. and is the son of Dennis and Bridget (Garen) McKee, both
of whom were born in Ireland. The father and mother each came
to the United States from their native land about 1855, and were
married in Madison a few years later. After Irs marriage the-
father worked by the month in the city for the first three years,
and then bought land in and moved to the town of Fitchburg, in
1864. As a farmer he was very successful and has accumulated a
fine tract of land, comprising three hundred and thirty acres, in
Fitchburg. besides owning property in the city of Madison, where
he has lived in retirement since 1902. His wife died in 187 1, and
although he married a second time he was again widowed in 1891.
William F. McKee received his education in the district schools-
of Fitchtburg, and upon reaching manhood decided upon the occu-
pation of a farmer and entered upon his life's work with zeal and
enthus'asm. He had supplemented the knowledge gained in the
district schools by attendance during two winters at the Commer-
cial college in Madison, and was thus equipped to employ business
methods in the conduct of his affairs. He owns two hundred and
eighty acres of fine farming landjn the town of Fitchburg, upon
which he has made extensive improvements, until it has all the ap-
pomtments of an up-to-date farmstead. He also owns two nice-
properties in the city of Madison, in one of which he has lived
since he retired from the farm in 1904. the location of h's residence
being 129 North Franklin street. Mr. McKee was married Octo-
ber 3, 1893, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary A. Smith,
daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Garrahan) Smith, both of
whom were natives of Ireland, but they were married in the state
of New York, and Mrs. McKee was born at Cahoes. in that state.
The father died in New York and the mother removed to Madison,
where she was married to Patrick Duffy, of the town of "Westport,
where the family continued to reside after the marriage. Mr.
Duffy was one of the pioneer settlers of Dane county, locating

592 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

first on land which he had purchased from the government. Mrs.
McKee had one brother. Wlliam Smith, who died in Madison in
1887, and she has one half-brother, the Rev. Joseph F. Duffy, the
mother and step-father being deceased. Mr. and Mrs. McKee are
the parents of one daughter, Lillian, born in the town of Fitchburg,
in 1896. Mr. McKee gives an unswerving allegiance to the prin-
ciples of the Democratic party, and during his residence in Fitch-
burg served in the position of town treasurer for one year. He
and wife are members of the Catholic church.

John McKenna, a prominent real estate dealer of Madison, was
born in County Tyrone, Ireland, February 1, 1834. His parents were
Francis and Sarah (O'Neal) McKenna. ' Francis McKenna came to
this country in 1840 settling on a farm of 1,500 acres in Iowa county,
this state, where he remained until his death, December 29, 1885, at
the age of eighty-five. He was a highly cultured gentleman and
broadly educated, having received a priest's training in an Irish col-
lege. As a Democrat he was elected to practically all of the town
offices at different times, and for a number of years was chairman of
the Democratic county committee. On the material side Mr. John
McKenna is a nephew of Capt. John O'Neal, one of the commis-
sioners appointed by President Andrew Jackson to locate the terri-
torial capital in 1836. Several years previous he had passed over the
site where Madison now stands in the famous pursuit of the Fox and
Sac Indians under the leader Black Hawk. An old flint-lock horse
pistol which the captain carried during this uprising is in the pos-
session of the subject of this sketch. Capt. O'Neal built the shot
tower on the bluffs of the Wisconsin river, near Helena, Wis. He
died in 1875 in h's seventy-sixth year. Mrs. Sarah (O'Neal) Mc-
Kenna was born in 1798, the year of Emmett's Rebellion in Ireland:
she died in 1849. Jonn McKenna is the only survivor of a family
of three girls and two boys. His education was received in a log
cabin school three or four miles west of Mineral Point, in a settlement
known as O'Neal's Grove. Upon the completion of his studies he
worked on his father's farm until 1846, when he moved to a farm in
the southeastern part of Iowa county. There he remained until 190:,
removing thence to Madison to engage in the real estate business.
Politically he is a Democrat. For some time he was chairman of the
town of Moscow and for thirty years was school treasurer. He has
also served a chairman of the Democratic county committee. On June
24, 1864, Mr. McKenna was united in marriage to Ann McNeill, a
native of Kentucky and a daughter of Hugh and Margaret McNeill,
both deceased. To this union have been born eleven children. Mary

BIOGRAPHICAL. 593

Josephine is the wife of Henry J. Dumuth and lives near Mineral
Point. She has five children, Alles A.i. Frances J., Mary J., Vincent
D. and Lucy. Lucy, the second child of Mr. and Mrs. McKenna,
lives at home. She is an accomplished musician. Ella, a graduate of
the Milwaukee normal school, is a teacher in the Milwaukee schools.
Francis Eugene, a graduate at the University of Wisconsin in the
class of 1 891, is traveling secretary of the Bell Telephone company
and makes his home in Milwaukee. He married Maud Bennett and
has three children, Harold, Nellie and Anna. John C. is a life in-
surance agent in Madison and is a graduate of the high school of that
city. He married Miss Marsha Nichols. Henry M. is the agent for
the United States Educational Company with headquarters at Eau
Claire. •William O. is a student at the Wisconsin academy in Madison.
Sarah Irene, the youngest, is at home. The other children died in in-
fancy. The family are members of the Catholic church. Mr. Mc-
Kenna is a man of fine business sense, a courteous gentleman and a
highly respected citizen.

Alexander McMurran, of Windsor, was born in the town of
Burke, September 28, 1862. His father, Marshall McMurran, was
born in Pennsylvania, February 25, 181 1, and his mother, Mary Ann
(KJnight) McMurran, in Indiana, October 6, 1826. Mr. McMurran
came to' Indiana in an early date, married there and had one son be-
fore coming to< Wisconsin in 1856. He settled on one hundred and
eighty acres in the town of Burke, and by later purchases he acquired
the title to four hundred acres* of land, three hundred and twenty of
it in the farm now owned by his son. Alexander. After the death ot
his first wife, he married Miss Knight, by whom he had eight chidren,
six of whom are living. He was by trade . a tanner and worked
at his trade in Indiana, but followed farming after coming to Wis-
consin. He was a general farmer and stock dealer, and was also in-
terested in outside investments, one of which, in Kansas City, proved
very profitable. In politics he was a Republican. He died August
21, 1887, and his wife, March 15, 1890. The subject of this sketch was
educated in the common schools of Burke, and follows the occupation
of a farmer; lie owrts two hundred and forty acres of land, and be-
side general farming, cultivates tobacco; he is also a stock-raiser.
He was married November 20, 1895, to Miss Cora Bell Crabtree, born
in Green county, September 11. 1874, daughter of John C. Crabtree.
of Windsor, whose parents, Jonathan and Mary (Hudson) Crabtree
are natives of Lancastshire. England, the former born February 5.
1809, and the latter November 5. 181 1. They vcere married in Eng-
land and came to New York in 1846, locating on Staten Island. There
38— iii

594 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

were eleven children in the family, all of whom are living, except one,
who died in Pennsylvania. Mr. M'cMurran's grandfather, Jonathan
Crabtree, was a block printer by trade, employed in printing dress
goods and silk handkerchiefs, and was manager of the printing de-
partment in a business owned by his brother, John Crabtree. Both
of the brothers were Independents in politics, and members of the
Baptist church. John C. Crabtree, father of Mrs. McMurran, was
educated in England and Staten Island, in the district school in the
town of Castleton, district No. 7. He went to Pennsylvania when
he was twenty-one years old, and engaged in coal mining, remaining
for ten years at Powelton, Center county, and there married, June 5,
1835, Miss Matilda Mouchmer, daughter of Adam and Margaret
(Traister) Mouchmer, natives of Pennsylvania, the father of Berks
county, the mother of Cling Grove, Union county, and the daughter, —
born June 15, 1835, of Pine Grove Mills. The family came to
Green county, Wis., where both parents died. They had twelve
children, three of whom died in infancy; the others are: Cyrus, Mar-
garet, Mary, Elinor, Anna, Charles, Albert, Cora Bell, wife of Alexan-
der McMurran; Edward. Mrs. Crabtree died December 18, 1897. Mr.
Crabtree came, in 1866, to Green county, Wis., and located on a farm
near Monroe, and in 1882 came to Burke. Dane county, where he
bought a farm of ninety-five acres, upon which he has put most of
the improvements; he is a general farmer and stock raiser, is an In-
dependent in politics, formerly a Republican, and with his wife sup-
ported the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. McMurran
have had three children, Bessie Pearl, born December I, 1897; Mar-
shall, born March 7, 1898; Margaret, born January 20, 1904. who
died in infancy.

George E. McWatty is one of the youngest farmers of the town
of Fltchburg. but he gives promise of being one among the best
in a town that is noted for progressive and up-to-date tillers of the
soil. He was born in the village of Lake View, Dane county,
Wis., on August 28, 1871, and is one of five children born to Wil-
liam and Joanna (Bellman) McWatty, the father being a native of
Pennsylvania and the mother was born in England. The father
died in 1880. and of the five children only two are living —
Charles E., who resides in Waunakee, and George E., whose name
introduces this review. Our subject started in life for himself at
the age of thirteen years, working as a farm hand during the sum-
mer months and attending school during the winter. In this way
he managed to secure a very good education at the high school in
the village of Oregon, and his uncle. ex-Sheriff R. J. McWatty,

BIOGRAPHICAL. 595

kindly furnished him a home. When he was twenty-one years
old he rented a farm and remained upon it one year, and then, in
1893, gave up agricultural pursuits and went to Chicago, where he
entered the employ of Marshall Field* as shipping clerk in the
wholesale department, and continued so engaged until 1895. He
then returned to Dane county and engaged in farming with his
uncle in the town of Fitchburg, continuing so employed until his
uncle was elected sheriff of Dane county, in 1902. After that he
continued the operation of the farm until his uncle disposed of his
place in Fitchburg, and in 1906 our subject bought the farm in the
town of Fitchburg, where he expects to continue general farming
and make his permanent residence. He is a man of splendid
physique and is above the ordinary in mental attainments, being
splendidly equipped in every way for a successful career. In his
political views he clings to the tenets of the Republican party, his
religious faith is expressed by membership in the Methodist church,
and fraternally he affiliates with the Masonic lodge in the village
of Oregon.

Robert J. McWatty, retired, formerly sheriff of Dane county
was born in Mercer county, Pa., March 26, 1848. His father was
Win. McWatty, a native of Ireland, who came to the United States
in the early forties and secured work on the Erie Canal, after having
farmed for a time in Mercer county, Pa. In September, 1848, William
McWatty came to Dane county, taking a one hundred and twenty
acre farm eight miles south of Madison. He was an ardent Whig
while that party was strong and later became a Republican, and al-
though he never 'held an office he was always keenly interested in poli-
tics His wife was Sarah Jane McBurney, born in the north of Scotland.
Both of them are strictly orthodox Presbyterians of the old school and
believed in the rigid observance of the Sabbath. William McWatty
died in the early seventies, at the age of sixty-two. He had never
been ill a day in his life, and the last summons came suddenly. His
wife died ten years later at the age of fifty-four, after having borne
Mr. McWatty sixteen children. They were Jane, Mrs. Ralph Ray,
deceased : Ann Eliza, widow of Wendell Yeager, resides in Texas ;
Margaret, widow of Mark Canada, lives in Iowa; Susan, widow of
Michael Hagen, lives in Oregon; Martha, Mrs. John McFarland, died
in 1904, and her husband a year later; William, deceased; Ellen, Mrs.
Edward Nicholas, of Iowa; Robert J., the subject of the sketch; John,
a farmer in Michigan; Sarah, Mrs. Frank McGann, of Madison;
Maria, Mrs. Andrew Murphy, deceased; Hugh, a farmer in the town
of Fitchburg; David, died in infancy; Andrew, farming in the town:

596 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

of Fitchburg; Almira, widow of Walter Graves; and another child
which died young. By a former marriage William McWatty was the
father of two children). Mary, Mrs. George Gillin, deceased, and John
Wesley, also deceased. Robert J. McWatty received what education
the common schools of the county afforded. In March, 1864, when
but sixteen years of age, he enlisted in Company E, Eighth Wisconsin
Volunteer Infantry. His regiment was assigned to duty with the
Army of the Potomac 'and was in all the large engagements of that
army in 1864 and 1865. He was in the division of Gen. A. J. Smith,
who precipitated the battle of Nashville. In the last engagement
in which his regiment participated, Mr. McWatty was wounded
slightly in the shoulder. In September, 1865, he received an honor-
able discharge from the army and went to farming, continuing that
pursuit four years. Then he went toi Chicago and was employed for
some ten years by the late Marshall Field. At the end of that period
he went to mining near Omaha, Neb., and for several years success-
fully followed that labor. On his return to Chicago in 1884 he drove
stage for a year or more, and then once more turned his attention to
agricultural pursuits in the town of Fitchburg. Here he remained
until his election as sheriff in 1903, when he removed to Madison
where he has since resided. In 1882 he married Katie, a daughter of
Peter and Bridget Kane, natives of Wisconsin. Mrs. McWatty was
one of eight children, of whom she and a sister, Margaret, (Mrs. Fred
Kriger, of Milwaukee,) are the only survivors. Mr. and Mrs. Mc-
Watty have no children. The genial ex-sheriff is a member of the
Presbyterian church, of the Knights of Pythias, of the Independent
Order of the Odd Felows; of the Grand Army of the Republic, and
of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks. His wife is a
member of the Catholic church.

Nicholas P. Mader, Sun Prairie, was born in Flessenhime, Ger-
many, March 26, i860, the son of Theodore and Margaret (Shack-
mut) Mader, both natives of Germany. The parents came to Kenosha
in 1861, which was their home for the remainder of their lives, Mrs.
Mader dying there in 1872 and her husband, October 2, 1882. Nich-
olas Mader received his education in the schools of Kenosha, and
began in 1876 to learn the trade of carriage and wagon making, in
the wagon shop of Nich. Persch, of. Kenosha. Later he worked for
a number of firms, including the Mitchell Lewis Wagon Co., the Bain
Wagon Co., Fish Bros., and the Racine Wagon Co.; he was foreman
for the Empire Cross Spring Co., of Janesville, for three years. He
learned the business of organ making, beginning in 1881. He first
opened a business in his own name in Sullivan and remained there

BIOGRAPHICAL. 597

for three years. On September 18), 1896, he came to Sun Frairie,
where he established a black-smithing and wagon-making busienss,
and where he is at present engaged. He has added agricultural im-
plements to his stock, and is carrying on a flourishing business. He
is a member of two fraternal societies, the E. F. U. and the M. W. A.,
and of the Catholic church. He is a Republican in his political pre-
ferments. He married Miss Gertrude Neiderprim, who was born at
Kenosha, in i860. Their four children, all living, are Albert J. ; Emma
M.; Russel B.; and Marie M.

Frank P. Maher, passenger conductor on the Chicago & North-
western railroad, whose home is at 1037 Jenifer street. Madison,
was born in Dane county on April 7, 1859. His parents were Mark
and Catherine (Fardy) Maher, both natives of County Wexford,
Ireland. The father was a farmer in the old country who came to
the United States in 1849. His wife followed the next year and
they were married in Madison in 1853. The father worked a farm
after settling here. His death occurred in March, 1886. at the age
of seventy-six. His widow died August 21, 1902, in her eighty-
third year. The subject of this sketch was the youngest of the
three children in the family. William is living on the old home-
stead and Patrick died in infancy. Frank P. Maher was educated
in the Blooming Grove district schools, completing his scholastic
work with a course in the capital city schools. His first employ-
ment after the completion of his studies was as a laborer for the
same railroad that he is now working for. Subsequently he be-
came a brakeman. in which position he served three years. In
1883 he was promoted to the position of passenger conductor and
has served as such ever since. His record is one of the best. He
has never had a serious accident. On November 3, 1895, he mar-
ried Miss Delphine Grogan, born in Whitewater, Wis., and a
daughter of Bernard and Agnes (Hannagan) Grogan. Her father
was a blacksmith who came to the United States from Ireland
when twenty-one years of age. His death occurred April 27, 190),
in his sixty-eight year. The widow is still living, a res:dent of
Jefferson county. Wis. Mrs. Maher is one of eight children, all
of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Maher have six clrldren, —
A'gnes Catherine and Mary Iva, members of the Madison high
school classes of 1907 and 1908 respectively, Frank Bernard, Jen-
nie Clare, William Raymond and Bernard Joseph. Like the an-
cestors on both sides the family are all members of the Catholic
church. The father is a member of the Catholic Kirghts and of
the Brotherhood of Railwav Conductors.

598 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Edwin Dakin Main, a resident of the village of Oregon, was born
November 3, 1847, being a native of Dane county and of the town
wherein he has spent all the years of his useful life. His father, Rob-
ert P. Main, was born in North Stonington, Conn., and his grand-
father, Rial Main, was a native of the same state. Tracing still farther
back we find that the great-grandfather of our subject, whose name
was David Main, was a captain in the Revolutionary War. The
grandfather followed the trade of a ship-builder in Connecticut until
1853, and then came to Wisconsin, settling in the city of Madison,
where he built a home and spent the remainder of his years. He was
well educated, and after he bad reached the age of sixty years he
taught several termis of school. The maiden name of his wife was
Eunice Palmer, a native of Connecticut, and she also spent her last
days in Madison. Robert P. Main attended school very steadily until
he was seventeen years old, then began teaching, and at the age of
eighteen went south, where he taught in several states, but finally
drifted to Cincinnati, and thence to Clinton county, Ohio, where he
met and married Miss Cordelia, daughter of Preserved Dakin. She
was born in Oakland, Clinton county, and her ancestors were among
those who' came to' this country in the Mayflower. Her father, Pre-
served Dakin, left his home in New York in the year 1804, and set-
tled in Ohio on a tract of land containing one thousand five hundred
acres, all in one 'body, which 'he purchased of the government and
upon which he resided until his death. Mr. Main continued to reside
in Ohio- until 1843, when, with his wife and three children, he started
with a team and made an extended journey to- Bureau county, 111.
Two years were spent there, but as the locality at that time seemed
unhealthy, in 1845 they started again with team and made an over-
land journey to Dane county, Wis. At that time northern Illinois
and the entire state of Wisconsin had but few settlers, and the greater
portion of the land was still owned by the government. There were
but few roads, and in making the journey hither Mr. and Mrs. Main
followed the trail marked by the first team driven from Janesville to
Madison by Mr. Stoner. The parents of our subject located in the
town of Oregon, where the father selected a tract of land in section
thirteen, and there built a log house in which E. Dakin Main was
born. The father went back to Ohio to collect some money that
was due him-, and upon his return to Oregon bought one hundred
and twenty acres more at government prices. The family resided for
three years on the land first purchased and then moved to the other
farm. At that time there were no railroads, and all the grain had to
be hauled to Milwaukee, entailing much time and labor. The father

BIOGRAPHICAL. 593

improved his farm and occupied the place until 1864, when he sold it
and bought three hundred and seventy-six acres in the town of Rut-
land, where he lived until 1868, and then moved to the village of Or-
egon. -There he lived in retirement until his death, which occurred
in 1882, and his estimable wife lived to the advanced age of ninety
years, dying on July 4, 1902. These honored pioneers were the par-
ents oi eight children: Mary Frances, who is unmarried and resides
at Stoughton, Wis.; Louisa, deceased; Hattie, now Mrs. Glass, of Har-
vard, 111.; Martha, deceased; E. Dakin, whose name introduces this
memoir; Anna, now Mrs. Comstock, of Oregon; Alice, now Mrs.
Ames, of Brooklyn, and Robert Walter, who resides in Columbia
Falls, Montana. Robert P. Main was formerly a Whig, but became
a Republican at the formation of that party. He was public-spirited,
and filled various offices of trust, being elected to the state legisla-
ture in 1856. E. Dakin Main received his early education in the dis-
trict school, supplemented by attendance at a select school in the
village of Oregon, and in 1870 he took charge of his father's farm.
This was located in Rutland, and here he operated until 1876, when
he located on a farm of three hundred and twenty acres that he still
owns, on section thirty-one of the town of Fitchburg. At the time
he purchased this large and valuable tract of land he was able to pay
only $1,000 of the purchase price, but by his untiring industry and
good business ability, aided by his noble wife, the entire debt was
paid off in a few years, and he was in a position of ease, if not of af-
fluence. He followed general farming and stock raising, including
the raising of horses and Shetland ponies, and resided on his farm
for sixteen years. In the fall of 1892 he rented his farm out, and,
purchasing a tract of s!xty acres adjoining the 'village of Oregon, e-
rected the most beautiful residence in that section of the county, where
he has since resided; and though he deals extensively in real estate,
he is living practically a retired life. Mr. Main was married Novem-
ber 26, 1872, to Miss Julietta Chapin, who was born in the town ot
Union, Rock county, on June 2, 1853. Her parents were Thomas P.
and Amanda (Ellsworth) Chapin, and it may be truthfully said that
the family was one of the first in Wisconsin. Mrs. Main has three
sisters and two brothers living, there having been eight children
born to- her parents. Those living, besides herself are as follows :
Anna now Mrs. Burgess of Beloit, Wis.. Emma now Mrs. Buckman,
of Brooklyn, Dane county: Fred and James who reside on the old
homestead in Rock county: and Lillian, who is now Mrs. Martin of
Beloit. To E. Dakin Main and wife have been born five children,
all of whom are members of the home circle : Celia H., Florence E.,

600 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

who is a teacher in the Brooklyn high school ; Delia, a student
in the musical department of the University of Wisconsin; Stanley
D., and Lillian H. In politics Mr. Main is a Republican and he has
served on the county board of supervisors and was president of the vil-
lage of Oregon one term, was also a member of the town board of
Fitch burg for several terms. He 'has always taken a deep interest in
all public enterprises, is highly esteemed by by a wide circle of friends,
and is a man of strict intergrity and high moral character. In his so-
cial relations he is a member of the Masonic lodge at Oregon.

Willett S. Main was born in Edmeston, Otsego county, N. Y.,
August 15, 1828. son of Alfred and Samantha (Stillman) Main.
His father, grandfather, Laban Main, and his great grand-father
were all natives of North Stonington, Conn. ; the great, great-
grandfather was the pioneer of the family in America, and came to
this country from England in colonial times. Alfred Main was
married at the age of eighteen, in Otsego county, N. Y., his wife
Samantha St:llman, being in her fifteenth year. She was the
daughter of Rev. Willett and Soviah (Noyes) Stillman, of the
same county and state. In 1833 our subject's father emigrated
with his family of wife and three children to Allegany county,
where he engaged in farming and lumbering until 1846, when he
sold and came to Wisconsin territory. He traveled by team to
Buffalo, thence by lake to Milwaukee, and then by team to Wau-
kesha, where he remained until 1847, and then came to Madison,
dying on his farm, four miles east of the city at the age of seventy-
seven. Willett S. was only nineteen at the date of his arrival in
Madison in February. 1847, and walked into town. He was ap-
pointed under-sheriff in 1851. serving for two years, and was
elected sheriff in 1852, also serving in that office for two years.
He then engaged in mercantile pursuits with his brother, Alexan-
der H., until 18G0, when he again served as under-sheriff for two
years, and then as sheriff for the same period. He was alternately
under-sher'ff and sheriff until 1871, when he was appointed
deputy United States marshal. This position he held up to the
time of his death, with the exception of the periods. 1885-89, and
1893-!'?. Mr. Main was a life-long Republican and served as a
delegate to the different county, district and state conventions, and
represented Dane county In the state senate, 1889 to 1893. He
was for many years president of the Monona Lake Assembly, one
of the largest so-called "Chatauquas" in the country, and much of
its success is due to his efficient labors. He married in 1855
Eliza A. Jenison, a native of Indianapolis, the daughter of Hon.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 601

Samuel and Melvina (Wingate) Jenison, by whom he had two
sons, Hamilton W. and Frank J., now engaged in business in Madi-
son. Mrs. Main died January 15, 1866, and in June of the follow-
ing year, Mr. Main married Sophia L. Smith, a native of Roches-
ter, Windsor county, Vermont, daughter of Samuel N. and Lo:s
(Williams) Smith. There are four children of the second marri-
age: Susie, wife of Charles P. Spooner, Annie E.. John and Lois.
Mr. Main was an active member of the Baptist church from the
age of twenty-one, and was a trustee from 1852. His death took
place July 5, 1902; and his wife and six children survive him.

Thomas Harvey Mair is a successful dealer in grain, coal. woodr
farm machinery, carriages, etc., at Morrisonville. where he has for
some years been engaged in mercantile pursuits. Of Scotch ori-
gin, his parents, Charles and Margaret (Caldrow) Ma:r, came to
Wisconsin when they were children. Charles Mair was the son
of Thomas and Anna (Jameson) Mair, who settled in Lima, Rock
county, Wis., in 184!). Later they owned a farm of one hundred
and sixty acres in Columbia county, where Mrs. Mair died. Mr.
Ma:r lives in Poynette. Charles Mair, their son, was born in 1845j
was educated in Columbia county and engaged in farming. He
married Miss Margaret Caldrow, whose parents also resided in
Columbia county and he now resides in Poynette. Wis. Mr. Mair
was prominent in local politics, was supervisor in Arlington and
assessor and treasurer though not identified with any political
party. Mrs. Mair was a leader in the Presbyterian church of Ar-
lington until her death in 1893. Their son, Thomas Harvey, was
born in Columb:a county, October 29, 1867. attended the Arling-
ton school and the Poynette high school and worked on his father's
farm until he was twenty-four years old. He then was employed
by Jamieson Bros., at Arlington, in the grain business for two
years, when he moved to Morrisonville and was in partnership
with Jamieson Bros, in the same business. In February 1902, Gil-
bert P. Rockstead bought the interest of the Jamieson Bros, and
the firm became Mair, Rockstead & Co. January 1, 1905, the Rock-
stead interest was purchased by Mr. Mair. who now owns the en-
tire business. Mr Mair is a Democrat, and has been a member of
the board of Windsor township. June 20, 1894, he married Miss
Nett:e Robertson, who was born in Columbia county. Wis., daugh-
ter of Robert and Maggie ( Patton ) Robertson, who reside on a
farm in the town of Arlington, Columbia county. Wis. Mr. Rob-
erton is a native of Scotland and his wife was born in Milwaukee.

602 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Mr. and Mrs. Mair have one son, Roswell Charles. The family at-
tend the Arlington United Presbyterian church.

John Maly, a large farmer and prominent citizen of Springfield,
was born in Bohemia, October 4, 1842. He is the son of John
Maly, Sr.. (born 1806) and Ella (Zizska) Maly, (born 1808). The
parents, of Bohemian birth, came to New York in December, 1853,
and after remaining there' a short time came to Sauk City, Wis.,
and the following year located on a farm of eighty acres in the
town of Roxbury. John Maly Sr., was a shoemaker by trade, but
he followed the custom of most of the pioneers, and found that the
breaking of virgin soil and the improvements necessary on a farm
in a new country left little energy for other occupation. He iden-
tified himself with the life of the community which he had entered
and took part in its politics as a supporter of the Democratic party.
He died at Roxbury in 1873 and his wife in 1877. Of the six
children born to him, four are still living. John Maly, Jr., born in
Bohemia, spent the first eleven years of his life and began his edu-
cation in his native land. This he supplemented by study for two
winters in the school of Roxbury, to which place he came with his
parents in 1854. He followed his father as a farmer, and owned
in Roxbury, a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which he
sold to his brother. Rev. Joseph Maly, and removed, in 1880 to the
town of Springfield. There, to his first purchase of eighty acres,
he added from time to time until he became one of the largest land-
holders in that vicinity, and out of his estate of seven hundred
acres he has been able to provide homes for his children, and is
still a well-to-do farmer with two hundred and forty-five acres for
a homestead ; this he runs for general agricultural purposes and for
stock-raising. A Democrat in politics, he has been elected a
supervisor of Springfield for ten years and is now chairman, a po-
sition which he has held for five successive years. He was mar-
ried in 180(3 to Miss Mary Germinder, who was born in Germany
and is the daughter of Franc Germinder. Their only son. Norbert,
is a prosperous farmer of Dane, owing a property of two hundred
and twenty acres. Mrs. Maly died in 1868, and the following year
Mr. Maly married Miss Mary Pertzborn. who was also German by
birth, and who came with her parents, Mathias and Wolfborga
(Allen) Pertzborn. from Germany to Springfield in 1852. Mr.
Pertzborn died in 1894 and his wife in 1890. Mary (Pertzborn)
Maly was one of a family of eleven children, seven of whom sur-
vive their parents. Mr. Maly has eight children by his second
marriage, all of whom are living; Henry, Anna, John, Maggie,

BIOGRAPHICAL. 603

Joseph, Anthony, William and Peter. The family are all members
of St. Peter's Catholic church, of Ashton Corners.

Michael G. Mandt is one of the prominent business men and
highly esteemed citizens of Stoughton, being one of the interested
principals in the Mandt-Powell Concrete Machine & Foundry Com-
pany, of which he is president, and also being one of the leading
contractors and builders of this part of the county. Mr. Mandt is
a native son of Dane county, having been born on the family
homestead, in Pleasant Springs township. September 2, 1856, and
bieing a son of Guilder and Jorand (Serines) Mandt, both of whom
were born and reared in Norway. The father settled in Pleasant
Springs township in 1846, securing one hundred acres of wild
land, which he reclaimed and improved, developing a good farm
and there continuing to reside for twenty-seven years. He then
removed with h:s family to Stoughton, where he died at the age
of seventy-two years, his second wife, Jorand, surviving him and
passing away at the age of seventy-three years. Of the first mar-
riage four children were born, and two of them are still living, —
Julia, who is the widow of Hanson Rasmussen, and Mary, who
likewise resides in Dane county. Of the twelve children of the
second marriage eight are living, namely: Anna, widow of As-
bjorn Hanson; Belle, wife of George Brown; Michael G.. of this
sketch ; Ella, wife of Albert Burell ; Peter ; Delia, wife of T. A.
Homme ; Carrie ; and Gunder G. On the home farm, in Pleasant
Springs township, Michael G. Mandt was reared to the age of
seventeen years, having in the meanwhile duly availed himself of
the advantages of the public schools. In 1873 he located in
Stoughton, where he worked at the blacksmith trade for three
years. He then learned the carpenter's trade, tc which he gave his
•attention for twelve years, the greater portion of the time as a con-
tractor. For twelve years past he has also been a successful
stone contractor and builder. Among the more important struc-
tures which he has erected may be mentioned the Orphans' Home,
the Old People's Home, and the postofnce in Stoughton. He is
the inventor of the Mandt concrete building blocks, and in Janu-
ary. 1906, he effected the organization of the Mandt-Powell Con-
crete Machine & Foundry Company, for the manufacturing of the
•concrete building blocks upon an extensive scale, as well as the
making of the machines for their construction. A large and
well equipped plant will afford all the needed facilities and will
add materally to the industrial prestige of Stoughton. In his poli-
tical adherency Mr. Mandt is a Republican, in a fraternal way he

604 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

is identified with the Woodmen of the World, and both he and his
wife hold membership in the United Lutheran church. January
25, 1881, Mr. Mandt was united in marriage to Miss Andrea Hal-
verson, daughter of Ole Halverson, of Primrose, Wisconsin, and
they have four children, — Obert, Maude, Tekla and Alsward.

William T. Mann, of the firm of Chase, Gross & Mann, engaged
in the retail lumber business in Sun Prairie, is one of the representa-
tive citizens of the town and is a member of one of the pioneer
families of Dane county. He was born in Fitchburg, this county,
January 19, 1857, and is a son of John Edwin and Josephine (Bliven)
Mann, the former of whom was born in Unadilla, Otsego county,
Xew York, April 29, 1817, and the latter of whom was a native of
Fall River, Mass., both families having been founded in America in
in the colonial era. John E. Mann, who is now living retired in Sun
Prairie, is a son of Andrew and Anna Maria (Phelps) Mann, both
natives of Hebron, Conn, where the former was born September 14,
1784, and the latter November 29, 1787. They were numbered
among the early settlers of Otsego county, N. Y., whence they later
removed to Marshall, Calhoun county, Mich., where the latter died
September 9, 1850. Andrew Mann had been the owner of a large farm
in Otsego county. New York, and upon locating in Marshall, Mich-
igan, he there erected a commodious hotel, which he successfully con-
ducted for a number of years. He was a Democrat in politics and his
wife was a comunicant of the Protestant Episcopal church. Of their
five sons and two daughters only two are living, — Mrs. Anna M.
Thomson, of Jackson, Mich.; and John E. father of the subject of
this sketch. Andrew Mann passed the closing years of his life in Sun
Prairie, where he died September 21, 1872. John Edwin Mann was
educated in the schools of Connecticut and New York, and accom-
panied his parents on their removal to Michigan, where he assisted
his father in the management of the hotel, of which he himself was
proprietor several years. Later he operated a flour mill in Illinois,
for a period of about nine years. In 1850 he located in Madison,
Wis., where he engaged in the livery business, while he later became
the owner of a farm in the vicinity of the capital city. He disposed
of this property in 1872, exchanging the same for a hotel, called the
American House, in Sun Prairie, and he operated this hotel success-
fully for a number of years, after which he was engaged about ten
years as traveling salesman for the Smith Middlings Purifier Com-
pany, a large concern in Jackson, Michigan. Since 1884 he has lived
retired in Sun Prairie, where he has an attractive home and where his
friends are in number equal to his acquaintances. In politics he is a

BIOGRAPHICAL. 605

stanch Democrat, and for a number of years he was a member of the
county board of supervisors, representing Fitchiburg township. July
5, 1842, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Josephine Bliven, who
was born at Fall River, Mass., but who was a resident of Illinois at
the time of her marriage. She was a daughter of Joseph S. and
Rachel Bliven, the former of whom died in Illinois and the latter in
Sun Prairie, Wis., Airs. Josephine (Bliven) Mann was summoned
into eternal rest January 20, 1903, having been a communicant and de-
voted member of the Protestant Episcopal church. Of her eleven
children nine are living: Juliette, who was the wife of A. M. Sey-
mour, is deceased ; Joseph A. died in childhood ; Harriet is the widow
of George E. Knapp, of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin ; Louise is widow
of C. H. Chittenden, of Berkley, Cal. ; Louis T. is a resident of Jack-
son, Mich., being a twin of Louise ; Josephine is the wife of Profes-
sor Howard L. Smith, of Madison, a member cf the faculty of the
University of Wisconsin ; William T., subject of this sketch, was the
next in order of birth; Frederick M. is a resident of South Dakota, as
is also George A. ; Charles E. is treasurer for the Swift Packing &
Provision Company, in the city of Chicago; and Allie is the wife of
Frank Richie, of Jefferson, Wis. William T. Mann secured his edu-
cational discipline in the pubic schools of Sun Prairie and Mazomanie,
this county, and he then became his father's assistant in conducting
the American House, of which he later was proprietor for several
years, becoming one of the well known and popular hotel men of this
part of the state. In 1881 he removed to Spink county, S. Dak., this
being while the two states were still the territory of Dakota, and there
he was engaged in farming until 1889, when he returned to Wiscon-
sin and engaged in the lumber bus'ness, at Ashland and Washburn.
In 1889 Mr. Mann returned to his old home in Sun Prairie, where he
has since been associated in the retail lumber business with James W.
Chase and Albion Gross, under the firm title noted in the opening
lines of this sketch. He is one of the progressive and public-spirited
citizens of the town and is thoroughly identified with local interests.
In 1 901 he completed the erect'on of his attractive modern residence.
In politics Mr. Mann clings to the faith of the Democratic party, and
he is now president of the village, having previously served two years
as a member of the board of trustees ; he is also supervisor for Sun
Prairie village. He and his wife are communicants of the Protestant
Episcopal church, and he is affiliated with Sun Prairie Lodge, Xo.
143, Free and Accepted Masons, and also with the Modern Woodmen
of America and the Insurance of Beavers. On March 22, 1881, Mr.
Mann was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Haner, who was born

606 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

in Bristol township, this'county, November 17, 1856, being- a daughter
of Jacob and Sarah (Stroup) Haner, who are now venerable residents
of Sun Prairie. Air. and Mrs. Mann have two children, — Edwin H.,
born August 8, 1888, and Dorothy M. born December 5, 1895.

Charles E. Marks, a carpenter and contractor living at 1815 Jef-
ferson street, Madison, was born in Platteville, Wis., June 9, 1875.
His parents were Henry P. and Anna (Staver) Marks, the former was
born in St. Louis in 1840, the latter a native of the Badger State.
The father was in the grocery business at Platteville, Wis. but after re-
moving to Rockford he was contractor and builder, also following
up the trade in Dane county. On August 22, 1862 he enlisted in
Company C, Thirty-third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and with
his regiment was a participant in the Vicksburg and Red river cam-
paigns and the battle of Spanish Fort. The Thirty-third did garrison
duty moist of its four years serveice, and was mustered out August 9,
1865. Mr. Marks served without being either wounded or captured.
His wife died in 1880 and he passed away in November, 1903. The
subject of this sketch is the youngest of the three surviving members
Of a family of four children. Miss Louise is a stenographer who
makes Madison her home. Eugene is a carpenter residing in Madi-
son. Charles E. Marks received his scholastic training in Rockford,
111., schools and served his apprenticeship with his father. He con-
tinued to work with and for him until he came to Madison in 1894
and then became employed by John L. Cary, with whom he remained
several years, and for several years he and his brother Eugene were in
partnership. His special line of carpentering now is the building of
dwellings. He is his own architect, as a general rule, and the symme-
try of the buildings which he has erected bears witness to his ability
in that line. On April 21, 1897. Mr. Marks was united in marriage to
Miss Minnie Agnes Mullen, born in La Fayette county, Wis., and a
daughter of William and Sarah Mullen. Her parents are still living,
making their home in La Fayette county. Mr. and Mrs. Marks are
the parents of one child, Harold Eugene. The home in Wingra Park
is one of the most sightly places in the city and the home life is well
worthy of emulation.

Henry Marks is the owner of a valuable farm of two hundred
acres, in section 1, Blooming Grove township, and has here resided
for the past forty years. He was born in Minden. province of
Westphalia, Prussia, December 15, 1849, and is a son of Moritz
and Lizzie Marks, both of whom were born in that same province,
where they remained until 1866, when they immigrated to America,
making Wisconsin their destination and settling on a port!on of

BIOGRAPHICAL. 607

the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch. The father,
with the aid of his sons, reclaimed a considerable portion of the
homestead from the virgin forest, and here both he and his devoted
w:fe continued to reside until they were called to the life eternal.
They were people of unassuming worth of character and lived lives
of signal honor and usefulness. Henry Marks secured his educa-
tional training in the excellent schools of his native land, and was
eighteen years of age at the time of accompanying his parents on
their voyage across the Atlantic to the United States and thence
onward to the Badger state, of which he may thus claim to be a
pioneer. After the death of his parents, he purchased the interests
of the other heirs to the old homestead, and has since given his at-
tention to its cultivation, while he has made permanent improve-
ments wh'ch mark it as one of the most valuable and attractive
farmsteads in the county. He has shown much of energy, discrim-
ination and business acumen in handling the work of his farm,
has known the dignity of honest labor through long and intimate
experience, and has stood exponent of the utmost rectitude and
honor in all the relations of life, so that to him has been accorded
the fullest of measure of popular confidence and esteem in the
community which has so long been his home. He is one of the
prominent and influential citizens of his section and one of the
county's representative agriculturists. He still maintains a gen-
eral supervision of his farm, but has delegated the more arduous
work to others, as his health has become somewhat delicate in
later years. He may well feel that his "lines are cast in pleasant
places," for he has the companionship of a devoted and cherished
wife and has a family of children of whom he may justly be proud,
while he is in a community filled with loyal friends. Mr. Marks
espouses the cause of the Democratic party and he and his family
are members of the German Lutheran church. In 1870 was sol-
emnized the marriage of Mr. Marks to Miss Soplra Poggemiller,
who was born in Cottage Grove township, being a daughter of
Christian and Sophia Poggemiller. Mr. and Mrs. Marks have six
children : Lizzie, who was born June 27, 1871. is now the wife
of Henry Brandt, of Burke township, this county; Henry Carl Wil-
liam was born November 28, 187G ; Christian Frederick Carl, Feb-
ruary 12, 1879; Charles William August, August 24, 1882; Anna
Maria Fmma, March 20, 1885; Sophia Louisa justina. October 13,
1887.

R. W. Marks, of the Belleville Supply Co., of Belleville, was born
in Belleville, October 3, 1867. The Marks family were among the

608 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

very early settlers of Connecticut, the first of the family being Corn-
wall Marks, a native of Cornwall, England, a blacksmith by trade,
who first settled in Hartford, Conn, and later removed to Pawlet, Yt.
where he built a large house, himself fashioning all the nails for its
construction. They lived during the thrilling esipode of the witch-
craft excitement, and his wife related to her descendants the gruesome
story of havng seen a woman hanged for witchcraft. This founder of
the American branch of the family lived to ninety years old. His di-
rect descendant, Elisha Marks, born in Pawlet, Rutland county, Vt.
was also a blacksmith by trade, and was married to Miss Ann Smith.
In 1883 he went into the mercantile business in Pawlet, in company
with a brother, and remained there twelve or fourteen years ; from
there he went to Granville corners, N. Y. where he was engaged in
the same business for a while. He sold out, eventually, to his part-
ners and purchased a farm in the vicinity, which he operated for six
or seven years and then sold out and went to Burke, N. Y. and again
engaged in business; he remained there until 1876 when at the age of
eighty-one years, he came to Dodgeville, [Wis. with his son Reuben,
and lived with him until his death the following year; his wife sur-
vived him less than a year, being eighty-one years old at the time of
her death. Reuben, son of Elisha and father of the subject of this
sketch, was born in Pawlet, Vt. December 27, 1823. His mother also
belonged to the old New England stock. There were four children in
the family, Reuben, Mary Ann, who married a Mr. Derby, of Burke,
N. Y. ; Malona, who married and lived in N. Y., and Ira, who lived in
Canada. Reuben was ten years qld at the time of the removal of the
family from Vermont to Xew York, and received most of his educa-
tion in the latter state. At the age of eighteen, he went to work for
an uncle, in a starch mill, in Pawlet, which was just across the state
line, in Vermont. Three years later he went to Burke, N. Y. where
he built a starch mill and ran it for three years ; from there he went to
Chateaugay Corners, where he built a saw mill which he operated for
two years and then returned to Pawlet where he engaged in mercan-
tile business, with a partner, under the firm name of Marks & Wood-
ward, where he remained for a period of three years, being at the
same time interested in a foundry. In 1855 he came to Wisconsin,
landing in Belleville, April 11. He bought a farm in the town of
Montrose where he staid until 1864, when he joined a party and, with
an ox-team, went to Montana, where he operated as a builder and con-
tractor, building mills, etc., in the Gallatin valley. He earned twenty
dollars a day, and remained there three years. He built the first boat
that came down the Yellowstone river and in all built fourteen boats

BIOGRAPHICAL. 609

for service on that river. He was in a region frequented by hostile
Indians!, and had several encounters and narrow escapes. When he
returned to Wisconsin he improved his farm and sold it, investing in
property in Belleville, and once more engaged in business as a mer-
chant, remaining three years ; he then went to Adamsville where
he was in business for three years, then traded his property for a ho-
tel in Dodgeville, the Marks House, now the Merchant Hotel. He
built a new, three-story hotel which he ran for seventeen years. In
1893 he sold his hotel and engaged in the hardware business with his
son under the name of Marks & Son, for two years, when he retired
from his long and varied activities. He was married at the age of
twenty-two to Miss Lorena Waite, a native of Hebron, Washington
county, N. Y. They had five children, viz., Charles R., of Neosha,
Wis. ; Emma, married Frank Faulkes of Brooklyn ; Stella, married
Mr. Wiloughby, of Belleville ; Frank, now a traveling salesman, of
Dodgeville ; Reuben W., merchant of Belleville. Mrs. Marks died in
1902. Mr. Marks was an independent in politics and never accepted
any political office. He is a member of the Masonic order and also of
the I. O.O. F. being the oldest member of the latter order in that vi-
cinity. He made two subsequent trips to the Yellowstone Park, in
1886 and in 1888, and has a large and valuable collection of minerals
and natural history specimens. Reuben Marks, Jr., was educated in
the Dodgeville high school and learned the tinner trade in the same
place and went into the hardware business in Belleville, in which his
father was afterward partner ; he sold out and went to Basco, where
he combined tinning with a general store for seven years. He then
returned to Belleville and worked at his trade for a short time when he
engaged again in mercantile business with Mr. Arnold under the firm
name of Marks & Arnold and continued under this name for one year,
then the\ incorporated under the laws of 1895 and consolidated with
the firm of Manson & Ulerich, Mr. Ulerich retiring from business.
They occupy a large building, two stories and basement, and carry the
largest stock of goods in the village. Mr. Marks was married Octo-
ber 15, 1890, to Miss Lena Kramer*, of Waldwick. Iowa county, the
daughter of Thomas (deceased) and Mary Kramer. The latter lives
with her daughter. Mr. Miarks is a member of the Methodist Episco-
pal church, of the F. & A. M., the I. O. O. F., and M. W. A. He has
also been village clerk and director of the school.

Samuel Marsden has been identified with Dane county history

since 1841, the date of the arrival of father and son of that name.

Always a farmer. Mr. Marsden now resides on the same property

which was the first home of the Marsdens in pioneer days. Sam-

39— iii

610 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

uel Marsden, the elder, was born in Derbyshire, England, and
served in the Queen's Guards when a young man. He married
Miss Ann Henstock of the same county and engaged in farming in
England until 1841 when he took passage for himself and family
on a sailing vessel bound for America. The voyage was stormy
and it was with devout thanksgiving for their escape from the
perils of the sea that the passengers finally landed in New York
city. The journey from Milwaukee to Albion was made on foot
with several other new arrivals, all of whom, including Mr. Mars-
den, purchased farms of government land. The tract bought by
Mr. Marsden contained six hundred and forty acres, almost all
wild and it was Irs task to clear and improve it. He was always
'prominent in the community and particularly so in the establish-
ment of a branch of the Primitive Methodist church to which the
family belonged in England and of which he became a local
preacher, holding the first meetings on his farm. Mr. Marsden
died in 1863 aged sixty-eight years and his wife in 1881, aged
eighty-five years. Fifteen children were born to them. Priscilla
lives in England ; Anna married Samuel Vickers of Albion ; Ruth
married Samuel Clark of Albion ; Esther (deceased) was the wife
of Rev. James Wileman ; Jonathan is deceased ; Job lives at the old
home ; Henry resides in Edgerton ; Joseph lives at Sumner, Wis. ;
Mary is Mrs. Samuel Tall of Albion ; George is deceased ; Samuel
farms the old homestead ; the other children died in infancy. Sam-
uel was born in Derbyshire. Eng.. March 25, 1841, and came to
Wisconsin with his parents when he was a little fellow. Dane
county schools were rare at that time and he had little opportunity
for education except at home. Samuel helped his father on the
farm and succeeded him in its management. June 7, 1863, he mar-
ried Miss Janette McKinsin Calder, a native of Perthshire, Scot-
land, daughter of James Calder, who was a teacher in Perthshire.
In 1848 he came to Wisconsin and located on a farm in Lisbon,
Waukesha county, returning the next year to bring his family.
Later he moved to Albion where he died in 1897 at the home of
Mr. Marsden. Mrs. Calder died in 1859. They had a family of
five children, all of whom came to America, — Mary is Mrs. John
Hebeden of Providence, R. I., Janette is Mrs. Marsden. Ellen is
Mrs. Silverrud of Albion ; James is deceased ; Lydia married Orrin
Poole of Waukesha. Ten children blessed the marriage of Mr.
and Mrs. Marsden ; Annie K., the wife of Rev. Charles Stark of
Sun Prairie ; Emma J., who married Samuel Hall, a farmer of Al-
bion ; Joseph W., a machinist of Waukesha county ; Maggie I., the

BIOGRAPHICAL. 611

wife of Amos Bunting of Albion ; Lillie (deceased) ; Jonathan, who
married Ethel Gardner and lives at the old home; Mae E., a
teacher; Viola, a teacher; Rollin, who teaches in the M'enominee
Manual Training school. All have attended the Albion and Ed-
gerton schools and are members of the Primitive Methodist church.
Mr. Marsden is a Republican in political affiliations.

George Martin is now living retired in the village of Sun Prairie,
having been actively engaged in farming in this locality for more
than thirty years, and being one of the honored citizens of the
county, which he represented as a soldier in the Union ranks dur-
ing the Civil War. Mr. Martin was born in East Aurora, Erie
county, New York. February 22, 1833, being a son of John and
Rachel (Crumy) Martin, both of whom were born and reared in
Ireland, where two of their eight children were born, while of the
number only one, the subject of this sketch, is now living. His
brother. Richard, was a resident of the beautiful city of Los An-
geles, California, and died at the age of eighty. The parents im-
migrated to America about 1825 and took up their residence in
Erie county. New York, where they passed the remainder of their
lives, the father having been a farmer by vocation. He was origin-
ally a Democrat in politics, but espoused the cause of the Repub-
lican party at the time of its organization, his death occurring a
few years later, in 1859 ; his wife passed away about 1810, both
having been zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
George Martin was reared on the home farm and secured such edu-
cational advantages as were afforded in the common schools of his
native county. He continued to reside in the state of New York
until 1861. when he came to Dane county, Wisconsin, and pur-
chased one hundred and twelve acres of land in section 20, Bristol
township, reclaiming a portion of the place from the virgin forest
and developing the same into one of the valuable farms of the
county, making all improvements, including the erection of sub-
stantial buildings, at a cost of about three thousand dollars. He
continued to give his personal attention to the operation of Irs
farm until 1896 when he disposed of the property and removed to
Sun Prairie, where he purchased his present attractive residence
and where he has since lived essentially retired. May 30, 1861,
Mr. Martin enlisted as a private in Company B, Forty-second Wis-
consin Volunteer Infantry, with which he served principally on
guard duty at Cairo and other points in Illinois until the close of
the war, receiving his honorable discharge, in the city of Madison,
Wisconsin, June 20, 1865. Mr. Martin exerceises his franchise in

612 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

support of the principles and policies of the Republican party, and
both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church in their home town. He is identified with the Patrons of
Husbandry and the Independent Order of Good Templars. Sep-
tember 23, 1855, Mr. Martin was married to Miss Sarah King, who
was born in Erie county, New York, September 24, 1833. being a
daughter of Darius and Sarah (Little) King, the former of whom
was born in Rhode Island, May 30, 1796, while the latter was born
in Massachusetts. Their marriage was solemnized in Erie county,
New York, and there they passed the remainder of their lives,
the mother dying in 1858. while her husband survived her by
many years, passing away in 1885. He was a Democrat in poli-
ces and she was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Of their eight children three are living. Mr. and Mrs. Martin be-
came the parents of three children, concerning whom the following
brief record is entered: Nellie, who was born in 1860, first mar-
ried Henry Hart, remaining a widow a number of years after his
death, and she is now the wife of Tobias Archer, whose first wife
was her younger sister, Ada. Ada, who was born in 1862. first
married George Easton and after his death became the wife of
Tobias Archer, who is now a prominent lawyer of Los Angeles,
Cal. ; she died in January, 1894, leaving two children, — Cec'l M.,
and Robert P. Archer. Eva. who was born August 30, 1868, is
the wife of Ulysses S. Jones, a represenetative farmer of Bristol
township, and they have two children, — George Richard and Mar-
garet Ellen.

Martin Mason is the only son of Mads Olson and Bertha (Gur-
ena) Olson, who spent their entire lives in Norway, where Mr. Olson
was employed in the silver mines. Martin was born March 16, 1847,
attended the public schools in Norway and worked out among the
farmers of the neighborhood as a boy. The prospects for the acquisi-
tion of property of his own did not seem bright at home so in 1867 he
left Norway and took passage in a sailing vessel for Quebec. In a
short time after landing in Quebec he continued his journey by boat
to Milwaukee and thence to Edgerton, Wis. Until 1884 he was ob-
liged to work out but by that time was able to purchase a farm of one
hundred and twenty acres in Albion, which has since been his home.
The property was almost unimproved and Mr. Mason has brought it
to a fine and profitable condition by unremitting energy. Substan-
tial and comfortable buildings have been erected and everything done
to render it a pleasant home. Mrs. Mason was before her marraige
Miss Karen S. Anderson of Albion, daughter of Ole O. Anderson and

BIOGRAPHICAL. 613

Gurie (Peterson) Anderson, pioneer residents of Albion. Air. and
Airs. Mason were married in December, 1878, and five children have
blessed the marriage. Claude M., the oldest son, is a prosperous
farmer of Pleasant Springs ; Clara married Fred Lintnedt and lives on
a farm in the town of Christiania; Oscar G. resides at the old home-
stead with his parents; Matilda lives with her brother Claude in Pleas-
ant Springs; Xeil H. is still at home. The family is identified with
the Norwegian Lutheran church of Edgerton, havng remained in the
same faith as their parents. Mr. Mason is an enthusiastic member of
the Repubican party and has held several local offices, taking an active
interest in town and county matters. The children all attended the
district schools of Albion and are successful farmers.

Vroman Mason of Madison, a prominent attorney of that city,
was born there, March 15, 1873. He is the son of Edwin C. and Jos-
phine (Woman) Mason, and .on his mother's side of Dutch ancestry,
the Vromans being one of the old Dutch families of Xew York. His
ancestors, on both sides, took part in the Revolutionary War, and his
paternal grandfather, L. B. Mason, was chaplain of the Twelfth AYis-
cons'n Regiment in the Civil War, and died in service. His maternal
grandfather, William AYoman, was one of the pioneers of Dane
county, coming in 1836. Air. Alason was educated in this city; was
graduated first from the high school; from the University of Wiscon-
sin, in 1895 > and from the college of law in 1899. He began practice
at Dodgeville; as a member of the firm of Reese, Curtis & Alason. For
three years he was a member of the firm of Chynoweth & Alason, of
Aladison, and in January, 1906, opened an office by himself. He is
a Republican and has served the city of Aladison as an alderman of
the first ward. He is a member of the Congregational church, and be-
longs to several professional and fraternal societies; the Wisconsin
Bar Association, American Historical Society, Free Alasons, (Aladi-
son Lodge, Xo. 5), and Elks.

John O. Mawney, a retired dentist of Alazomanie. was born at
Penn Yan, Yates county, X. Y., May 7, 183 1. His father, John
Mawney, was born at Saratoga Springs, and his mother, whose
maiden name was Alary Briggs, was a native of Yates county. The
father grew to manhood and received his education at Saratoga
Springs, after which he went to Yates county and engaged in mercan-
tile pursuits. He died in 1844 and his widow lived until 1895, when
she died at the age of seventy-six years. They were both members of
the Alethodist Episcopal church, and were consistent in the practice
of their faith. Of their seven children William. Robert, Sarah and
Mary E. I've in Yates county ; John G. is the subject of this sketch ;

614 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Semah is deceased, and Caleb died in the Chicago fire in 1871. Rob-
ert Mawney, the grandfather of John G., was a soldier in the War of
1812. John G. Mawney received his elementary education in the
schools of his native county and in 1852 graduated at the Philadelphia
dental college. He began the practice of his profession at Penn Van,
where he remained until his marriage on April 14, 1858, to Miss Ruth
Ward, daughter of John and Eliza Ward, of Yates county. Shortly
after his marriage he went to Richmond, 111., and practiced there until
he enlisted in July, 1862, as orderly sergeant in Company D, Ninety-
fifth Illinois Infantry. His regiment was assigned to duty in the de-
partment of the Mississippi under General Grant, and the company
was Grant's provost guard at Holly Springs. After the surrender of
Aricksburg Sergeant Mawney was taken sick and sent home for three
months to recover his health. He then rejoined his command and was
for a time on the Red River, but was again taken ill and sent home
for two months. He then went to the marine hospital at Chicago,
from which institution he was discharged in the fall of 1864. After
receiving his discharge from the army he located at Horicon, Wis.,
where he practiced dentistry until the year 1871, when he located at
Mazomanie. For twenty years he had an office in Sauk City, in con-
nection with his practice at Mazomanie. In 1903 he retired
from active professional work. Politically Mr. Mawney is a
Democrat, and while he takes a keen interest in all questions relating
to the public welfare, he can hardly be classed as an active politician.
He is a member of A. "R:. McDonald Post, No. 56, Grand Army of the
Republic, at Mazomanie, and has frequently been called to some of
the office of the post. Mrs. Mawney died on October 28, 1905. She
joined the Methodist Episcopal church at the age of fourteen years,
but after coming to Mazomanie attended the Congregational church.
They never had any children.

Cheney C. May, cashier of the bank at Cambridge, was one of the
original members of the banking house of E. P. May & Co., who or-
ganized the international hank at Cambridge in 1893. In 1904 its
organization was changed to that of a state bank. The May family
have lived in Wisconsin since 1839, when Christian May, grandfather
of Cheney C, came to Fort Atkinson from Chester, Oneida county.
N. Y. Five children were born to Christian May and his wife Eliza-
beth ; Zida, George, Chester, Eli and Elizabeth, of whom Eli P. is the
sole survivor. The farm at Fort Atkinson consisted of six hundred
acres and this the family improved and upon it built the first frame
house erected in Fort Atkinson. Iron was discovered by Mr. May at
Mayville and the village was named in his honor. He died in 1846

BIOGRAPHICAL. 615

and his wife in 1879. Eli P. was born in Oneida county, N. Y. in
1825, worked on the farm for his father and managed the farm for
several years. He then became a merchant in Fort Atkinson and
afterward engaged in the milling business in which he was very suc-
cessful. He has been active in village affairs, served as supervisor
and president and belonged to the Republican party. Harriet ( Vos-
berg) May, his first wife, died in May, 1856, leaving one daughter,
Ida. who married Edward Scott. Mrs. Scott died, leaving two
daughters, Laura and Margaret. Mr. May's second wife was, before
her marriage, Miss Ann Curtis, a native of Vermont and daughter of
Cyrus Curtis, founder of the Northwestern Manufactu'ng Co. of
Fort Atkinson. Four children blessed the second marriage. Dorr C.
the oldest son, resides on the old homestead at Fort Atkinson and car-
ries on a general farming 'business. Cheney, the subject of this
sketch, is the second son. Clara is Mrs. John Wurtzburg of Edenville,
Cal., and has two sons. Harold and Russell. Hattie (deceased) married
Willard Frost. Two children, Rowland and Zida, were born to them.
Cheney C. was born at Fort Atkinson, September 7, 1859, attended
school in Fort Atkinson, lived with his father until he was twenty-six
years of age and was employed for a number of years in the Fort At-
kinson Roller Mills owned by E. P. May. For nine years he was em-
ployed in milling at Rockdale and in 1893 located at Cambridge, where
he opened the bank. May 9, 1883, he married Miss Mary Delano,
daughter of Henry and Sarah (Westcott) Delano of Fort Atkinson,
who came to Wisconsin from New York. One son was born to the
marriage, Harry C, May 29, 1886. Harry was graduated from the
Cambridge high school in 1902 and holds the position of assistant
cashier in the bank.

George A. Meek, of Dane, was born at Westminister, London,
Eng., November 20, 1852. Both his paternal grandparents, George
and Jane (Morris) Meek, and his maternal grandparents, James
and Ann Roof was born in Yorkshire, Eng., and spent their lives
in their native shire. George Meek, the father of the subject of
this sketch, and his mother, Ann (Roof) Meek, were also born in
Yorkshire, the former on October 12, 1816, and the latter Decem-
ber 6, 1823. They came to this country in 1857. landing in New
York, and soon coming on to Cambria, Columbia county; after a
residence of three years there they moved to Vienna township,
Dane. They experienced the hardships incident to life in a new
country, and for the first year in Wisconsin, substituted the
friendly shelter of a big oak for the conventional roof-tree. The
father, at least, was somewhat inured to severe conditions, as be-

616 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

fore coming to the United States, he had served in the Crimean
war; that he did not fear to face them was shown by his enlistment
in the Twenty-second regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers, as a pri-
vate, March 10, 1865. He was discharged June 28, 1865, after
three months of service. Geo. A. Meek attended the common
schools of Columbia and Dane, and early began life on his own ac-
count His first independent work was in lumbering in the pine
woods ; at the age of twenty-six he turned his attention to farming,
but continued in. that occupation for only one year; following that
brief experience he took up the business of wagon-making in
Dane, in which he was engaged for eight years. His early work in
the lumber camps, and the knowledge necessarily gained of the
values of woods, determined the work of his later years, which
has been that of builder and contractor for five years, and, since
1896, the allied business of the lumber dealer. Mr. Meek has held
a number of elective offices ; was town treasurer for nine years,
supervisor of Dane village for three years, and chairman for two,
also deputy sheriff for some time. He is one of a family of twelve
children, ten of whom are living; one brother, David, was killed on
the railroad, at Dane, when he was eighteen years old. A talent
for adaptability is a characteristic of the family, Geo. Meek, Sr.,
also having been able to turn himself to any work that circum-
stances demanded, from warfare to railroading and pioneer farm-
ing, which itself, necessitated a large and varied knowledge. Both
father and son achieved competency, the former having increased
his first investment in one hundred and twenty acres in Arlington
township, Columbia, to three hundred and sixty of unencumbered
property at the time of his death in Arlington, July 20, 1894; his
wife and helpmeet died October 25, 1901. Geo. Meek, Jr., also
owns a farm in Dane, real estate in Madison and other property.
An interesting item in connection with the coming of the family to
America, was that the Northumberland, the boat in which they
came, was the same that conveyed Napoleon to St. Helena. The
elder family was connected with the United Presbyterian church,
but the subject of this sketch is associated with the Catholic
church of which his wife and family are members. Like
his father he is an adherent of the Republican party. He married
Miss Catherine Albrecht, August 4, 1878. She was born in Ba-
varia,—November 12. 1857, — as were also her parents, Geo. and
Anna Mary (Weigl) Albrecht, he in 1820 and she on August 31, 1827.
They came to Dane in 1873 and lived for nine years on a farm one
mile south of Dane ; he afterward kept a hotel in Dane, but had re-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 617

tired from active work at the time of his death, which was the re-
sult of an accident on the railroad at Dane, December 7, 1899 ; his
wife died April 11. 1900. Mr. Meek and wife have four children,
Rosa, born May o, 18T9 ; Catherine, born October 8, 1881 ; Geo. W.,
born September 29, 1881; Anna, born July 19, 1886. All have
been graduated from the Lodi high school ; Rosa was for four years
the post mistress of Dane, and is now, with her youngest sister, a
nurse in St. Joseph's hospital, Milwaukee. Catherine taught school
for three years and is now studying in the University of Wiscon-
sin, at Madison ; George spent four years in California, and is now
brakeman on the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway.

Christian J. Melaas, senior member of the firm of Melaas-John-
son Co., proprietors of the "Big Daylight Store," one of the largest de-
partment stores in the city of Stoughton, is a son of John J. and
Christie J. Melaas, natives of Bergen, Norway, who settled in Pleasant
Springs on one hundred and sixty acres of government land immed-
iately after their arrival in this country in 1844. The father made all
the improvements on the property and lived there until his death,
which occurred in his sixty-second year. The widow, now eighty-
two years of age, still resides on the homestead. The subject of this
sketch was the eldest of the five sons in the family, the others being
Mons J., Ole J., John J. and Louis J. All were born on the Pleasant
Springs homestead. Christian J. Melaas first saw the light of day on
September 5, 1845. After attending the common schools he entered
Albion Academy, receiving his certificate as teacher when eighteen
vears old. For three years he followed the vocation of teacher and
then went to Madison where until 1868 he was employed as a clerk
and bookkeeper in a dry goods and clothing house. He then returned
to Stoughton and engaged in the drug business, continuing at it six
years. His connection with the drug enterprise was severed to em-
bark in the clothing business with Matthew Johnson under the firm
name of Johnson & Melaas, which firm has continued up to the pres-
ent time. M. A. Johnson purchased his father's interest upon the lat-
ter's death, in 1883 and since 1904 the concern has been managed
under the name of the Melaas-Johnson companv. The present own-
ers are C. J. Melaas, Martin A. Johnson, cashier of the First National
bank of Stoughton, and J. F. Melaas, who acts as general manager
and superintendent of the company. Their store is the handsomest
in tlie city and one of the best equipped places of business in the
county. It is exceptionallv well lighted, and from that fact has re-
received the name of the "Big Daylight Store." All lines of goods usu-
ally found in a department store are kept in the "Daylight" and a spec-

618 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

ialty is made of hardware and agricultural implements and machinery.
Mr. Melaas has been twice married. Elizabeth K. Sheldrup, a native
of Norway to whom he was united on December 5, 1869, died Feb-
ruary i, 1893, leaving the following children, --Julius Ferdinand;
Christiana Amelia, the wife of George A. Nohr, a banker of Okla-
homa ; Xellie Josephine ; Wilma Amanda ; Guda Olive ; Wilbur Guy,
a graduate of Rush Medical college of Chicago, who has served as in-
terne in the Milwaukee county hospital; Alva jeanette; and Ruby
Dagmar. Mr. Melaas' second marriage was to Emma J. Evanson of
Albion, to whom he was united on August 2, 1894. This second un-
ion has been blessed with two children, Elizabeth Marie and Christian
Karel. Mr. Melaas and 'his family are communicants of the Lutheran
church. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Sum-
mit club. Politically he is a stanch Republican and as the candidate
of that party was two times, eleted mayor of Stoughton, filling the
chair to the satisfaction of the whole community. Besides his com-
mercial interest he is largely interested in agricultural pursuits. He
is well entitled to the place he has won as one of the most enterprising
and progressive business men of a rapidly growing city.

Prof. Edward Christopher Meland is principal of the Windsor
township free high school of which he has had charge since 1895,
and prominent in educational and business circles in De Forest.
The Meland family is of Norwegian origin. The first representa-
tive in Dane county was Anthon Nelson Meland, who was born in
Ydre Sogn, Bergens-Stift, Norway, June 16, 1830. He came to the
United States in 1849 anc^ worked for a time in Leeds township, Co-
lumbia county. Wis. and then went to the northern woods, where he
found employment in the lumber camps. After three years in the
north he obtained a farm in Dane county of two hundred and thirty
acres, all but eighty acres of which are in the town of Windsor. Nels
Rasmusson, father of Anthon, after the death of his wife, Anna Ten-
ningen, in 1849 married Rryteva Fjerstad and came with his wife to
the town of Leeds, where he spent the remainder of his life. An-
thon Meland married Miss Anna Graue, who was born in Voss, Berg-
ens-Stift, Norway, April 14, 1833 and fifteen children were born to
them, of whom five are living; Anna, Britha, Edward C, the subject
of this sketch, Sophia and Tena. Mr. Anthon Meland lives in De
Forest and has been for some years retired from active business.
From 1883 to 1903, he was editor of "Den Kristelige Laegmand" and
he and his wife have always been leaders in the work of the Evangel-
ical Lutheran church. Their son Edward Christopher wras born in the
town of Leeds, Columbia county, Wis. January 30, 1866, attended

BIOGRAPHICAL. 619

school in Leeds and also the academic department of the Northwest-
ern Business College, at Madison. He was graduated from the Uni-
versity of Wisconsin in 1889 and while he was a student he also
taught German and Latin in the preparatory school. For four years
after graduation he was employed in the preparatory school and left it
to take charge of the public schools of Deerfield. During the two
years of his work there. Mir. Meland organized the high school at
Deerfield and in 1895 he was called to De Forest. Prof. Meland is an
active and energetic principal and much progress has been made by
the schools under his government. In 1895. he and his father estab-
lished the De Forest Times and he also was one of the first stock-
holders of the De Forest state bank, of which he if a director. A Re-
publican in political affiliations, Mr. Meland has served as town clerk
at De Forest and as village clerk at Deerfield and ,has been sent as
delegate to both county and congressional conventions. May 27, 1890,
Prof. Meland married Miss Isabel Woll. who was born in Norway,
September 7, 1868, daughter of Ole Woll. Five children were born
to the marriage ; Agnes, who died in infancy. Hazel, who is a sopho-
more in the high school. Elsie, Ruth and Reuben. The family is
prominent in the Evangelical Lutheran church and Mr. Meland is one
of the national board of trustees of the church.

Thor J. Mell, a native of Norway, where his mother and a brother
and sister, the oldest and youngest of a family of seven children, still
reside, was born January 24, 1864. His father, John Torsen Mell,
was born in 1832 and died in 1879: his mother Gojra (Omel) Mell
was born in 1840. The children are, Ole, Thor J., Hans, Susie,
Betsey, ( the last three live in Minnesota ) , Andrew who lives in De
Eorest with his brother. Thor, and Johanna lives in Berlin, Norway.
Mr. Mell obtained his education in his native country as he did not
camel to Dane 'county until he was twenty-four years of age. He be-
gan life bv working by the month, as a farm hand, but by his industry
and frugality he was able, in 1898. after a residence here of only ten
years, to purchase a farm of his own. He now owns one hundred
and seventy acres which he runs as a stock farm, principally raising
short-horn cattle and China-Poland hogs. He a'so cultivates a con-
siderable acreage of tobacco. He is endebted only to his own energy
and good management for his possessions, and is esteemed by those
who have knowledge of methods, as a first class farmer. He is a Re-
publican and he and his wife belong to the Norway Grove Lutheran
church. On April 2, 1896. he was married to Miss Carrie Swallen,
and thev have two children. Ruth Genevieve, born 1896, and John
Otto, born July 6, 1898. Mrs. Carrie (Swallen) Mell is the daughter

620 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

of Ole Swallen and Rande (Fetcn) Swallen, natives of Norway, who
came to Vienna in an early day, where they were married. They had
twelve children, of whom eight are living. He was a farmer, voted
with the Republican party, and with his wife, belonged to the Nor-
way Grove Lutheran church. He passed away some time ago, al-
though his widow is still living1. One son, Thomas O. Swallen, born
in Vienna, January 10, 1853, resides at Dane. He married, October
8, 1885, Miss Betsey Eggum, daughter of Lars and Gertrude (Holms)
Eggum._ They have seven children, Rhoda Jenett, Leonard Orton,
Olin Bernhart, Gertrude Amanda, Lottie Josephene, Ida Beatrice and
John Leonard ; of these all except Leonard O. are living.

Adolph F. Menges is the president and treasurer of The Menges
Pharmacies, incorporated, with establishments in the city of Madison
at 28 West Mifflin street and 829 University avenue. He is also a di-
rector in the Savings, Loan & Trust company of Madison, and is a di-
rector in the Wisconsin Brick company, holding die office of treasurer
in the same. He i's the vice-president and one ol the directors in the
Starks-Levis Land Company and has been a member of the state
board of pharmacy for ten years and secretary of the same for the
three years ending May I, 1906. He is also a member of the board of
water commissioners of the city of Madison. Mr. Menges is a native
of the capital city, having been born in Madison, November 1, 1863,
and his parents were Adolph and Louise Menges, both of whom were
natives of Germany. The father was born in Hessen-Darmstadt, De-
cember 8, 1810, and migrated to America in 1833, locating first in Mis-
souri, where he remained until 1847, an(l then came to Wisconsin.
He established his residence in Milwaukee, where he remained two
years, the four years following he lived in Watertown and then
removed in 1853 to Madison, where he spent the remainder of
his life, dying on May 21, 1878. He became widely and favorably
known as a substantial citizen of this part of the state. His
wife died on June 15, 1890, at the age of fifty years. The subject of
this review is one of a family of four children that were born to the
above-named parents, and the following facts are given concerning
them: Louise married J. W. Gardner, and died in 1890 at the age ot
thirty years; Emma is the wife of William Kayser and resides in Mad-
ison ; Adolph F. is he to whom this sketch is more particularly dedi-
cated, and Augusta is the wife of George W. Bradshaw with res:dence
in Milwaukee. Adolph F. Menges received his education in the pub-
lic schools of Madison and at the University of Wisconsin, graduating
in the college of pharmacy with the class of 1886, receiving the degree
of Ph. G. After leaving school he clerked for a time with Duminsr &

BIOGRAPHICAL. 621

Sumner, and in 1891 he engaged in business for himself, establishing
the Mifflin street pharmacy. In 1900 lie added the University avenue
establishment and incorporated the business, with two of his clerks —
A. H. Glenz and George H. Fett — as partners. The company carries
a full line of drugs and photo and stationery supplies. Mr. Menges
was married on June 19, 1901, to Miss. Eva Frattinger, a native of
Milwaukee. Mrs. Menges died February 5, T903, at the age of
twenty-nine years. On July 18, 1906, he was married to Hilda Shak-
shesky, of Watertown, Wis. Mr. Menges is a member of the Benev-
olent and Protective Order of Elks at Madison.

S. W. Merrick, secretary and general manager 'of the Wisconsin
Rubber company, whose headquarters are in Madison, was born
in Niles, Mich., March 30, 1844. His father was L. H. Merrick, a
native of New Hampshire and a tanner, currier anei shoemaker by
trade. His first labors were in the vicinity of Ashtabula, Ohio,
and Adrian, Mich. From Adrian he went to Xiles, where he en-
gaged in agricultural pursuits and made shoes until 1855 and then
removed to Prescott, "Wis. Here he died at the age of sixty-four
years, while carrying on a grocery business. The subject's mother
was Cornelia Whelpley, a native of New York state, who passed
away one year previous to her husband's death. Of the six chil-
dren in the family George Byron Merrick and S. W. Merrick are
the only survivors. S. W. Merrick received his education in the
schools of Prescott, Wis. He learned the printer's trade but did
not follow it, engaging in carpentering, building and millwright-
ing until 1895. In that year he organized the Lodi Mutual Fire
Insurance company at Lodi, and continued as secretary of that
company for five years. Then he engaged in the sale of stock of
the Philidelphia Plantation Company and in 1 903 with Prof. R. B.
Anderson, Dr. C. H. Hall, and F. C. Hutson he organized the
Wisconsin Rubber Company without severing his connection with
the Philadelphia concern. On March 24, 1873, he married Car-
rie R., daughter of John B. and Mary (Thornton) Taber. natives
of Wisconsin, and to this marriage three children have been born,
— George W., a graduate from the Lodi high school, died May 1,
1895. aged seventeen years; Jessie B., a graduate from the Uni-
versity of Wisconsin with the class of 1904, and now taking post-
graduate work in the same institution ; Grace Gladys, a pupil in
the Wisconsin Academy. Mrs. Merrick is a member of the Pres-
byterian church.

Carl Meseka is one of the progressive land owners of the town
of Deerfield. and while his residence happens to be just beyond

622 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

the imaginary line that separates Dane from Jefferson county,
his large farming interests on this side of the division mark makes
it decidedly proper that the record of his successful career be pre-
served in this volume. The place of his birth is in Germany and
the date thereof is June 6, 1844, his parents being Gotfried and
Minnie (MinskuerJ Meseka, who were also natives of the Father-
land. The father worked as a laborer during his life and died in
the land of his nativity, after which the mother came to the United
States and is now living near her son, whose name introduces this
review. Carl Meseka received his education in the schools of his
native land and followed the occupation of a farmer there until
1873, when he migrated to America, The statfe of Wisconsin
was the objective point in his journey, and he made the trip by the
way of .Chicago and Milwaukee, finally locating in Jefferson
county, just over the Dane county line. He located on his present
farm in 1894, and the same consists of two hundred acres of fine
tillable land, well improved, with good buildings erected thereon.
All of these evidences of prosperity are the reward of the unflagging
industry and careful management, so characteristic of our citizens of
of German extraction, and especially pronounced in Mr. Meseka. He
has followed the business of general farming, which is of course un-
erstood to include stock-raising, and in the latter line he has given
particular attention to the breeding of a good grade of cattle. Since
coining to America Mr. Meseka has attended strictly to his life's
vocation, and has not been enticed away from his noble calling by the
seductive song of the political siren. He does not "belong" to any
party, but in the exercise of the right of franchise he supports the men
and measures that meet his intelligent approval, regardless of the
label that may be stamped thereon. And this is as it should be. His
religious faith is expressed by membership in the Bavarian church at
London. He was married in Germany to Miss Minnie Beam, who
was also a native of that country, and to this union there have been
born eleven children, the birth of the three older ones having occurred
before the migration of the parents to America. The names and
other facts concerning these children are as follows: Tennie is now
Mrs. Strausburg of Lake Mills, Wis.; Bertha is the wife of Mr. Myers
and resides at Fort Atkinson; Herman is the oldest son; Lizzie is
now Mrs. Rhoda, of Fort Atkinson; Anna resides at Janesville;
Amelia is the wife of Mr. Hultz, of Lake Mills; Ida and Anna reside
at Fort Atkinson; and Charles, Albert and Willie remain at home.

Anton Metz, of 15 N. Fairchild St.. Madison, is a Bavarian by
birth. His father, Henry Metz, died in Germany when the subject of

BIOGRAPHICAL. 623

this sketch was quite young. His mother, Mrs. Rosina (Schmidt)
Metz, now resident at 442 N. Mifflin St., came to the United States
in 1880, and lived in Camjbria county, Perm., for three years, coining
to Madison .in 1883, which has since been the home of the family.
She had a family of seven children, most of whom had received their
education in Germany, and all of whom], with the exception of one son,
Alex., who lives in Milwaukee, still remain in Madison; the three
brothers in that city are Anton, Joseph and Paul, and the listers, Mrs.
Nussman and Agnes, who lives with her mother. Mr. Metz learned
the business of plumbing and gas fitting and located in 1897 at 8 S.
Carroll St., where he remained three years ; in 1900 he moved to his
present location 115 W. Mifflin St. Mr. Metz is a successful business
man, owning both his store building 115 W. Mifflin St. and his resi-
dence on N. Fairchild. He belongs to- the German Catholic church,
to the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic knights and the Michael's
Benevolent Society. In politics he is independent. Mr. Metz was
marrried September 3, 1895, to< Miss Frances Post, daughter of Law-
rence and Mary (Hellen) Post. Mr. Post is a native of Pennsyl-
vania, and his wife of Germany. Their daughter, Mrs. Metz, was
born in Perry township, Dane county. Air. and Mrs. Metz have
five children, three boys and two girls, Henry, Marie, Ethel, Wil-
liam Joseph and George.

Charles Meyer, of Middleton, owns and operates a large farm in
section 23. IWilliam Meyer, his father, was born in Nothandorf,
Hanover, Germany, and never left his native country. He married
Miss Catharine Beneckan of the same place and after his death in
1891 his wife and children came to America. William Meyer was a
wagon-maker and his oldest son, William, who lives at Reedsburg has
foloweel in his footsteps. Charles is the second son. The third,
George, is a carpenter and lives in Alabama. Mary kves at Logans-
ville, Wis. and Martha, the youngest, at Reedsburg. Charles \va>
born at Nothandorf, January 14, 1861, attendeel school in Germany
and then worked out. When the family came to Wisconsin, they lo-
cated at Reedsburg and there Charles lived with them for three vears.
He then came to Middleton and was employed by -William Hofmann
for two years. In February), 1888, he married Miss Lena Niebuhr of
Middleton, daughter of John Niebuhr, and began to farm the Niebuhr
property in section 23. Mr. Niebuhr came to America in 1864, at the
age of thirty years, and located at Middleton. He obtained a nice
farm near Middleton and also owned a farm near Verona. He die 1
in 1889 and Mrs. Niebuhr in 1891. Mrs. Niebuhr had two children
by a former marriage and Mir. and Mrs. Niebuhr had nine children,

624 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

of whom six are living. Mr. Meyer is an energetic and prosperous
farmer and when the Niebuhr farm came under his control he very
greatly improved it. A fine barn was built in 1889 and a substantial
briclc dwelling in 1901. One hundred sixty acres are under cultiva-
tion and much fine stock is raised. Air. and Mrs. Mjeyer have three
children, all of school age; the oldest}, John, attends the high school
and Rosetta and Charles, Jr., the district school. Mr. Meyer is a
Democrat politically and a member of the German Lutheran church.
Andrew A. Mickelson, senior member of the firm of A. A. Mickel-
son & Co., dealers in lumber and building materials at Black Earth,
was born at Vermont, Dane county, January 20, i860. His parents,
Aine and Carrie (Grove) Mickelson, were both born in Norway, mar-
ried in their native land, and in 1849 came to America. They first
settled at Blooming Grove, Dane county, but after one season there
removed to Vermont. Here the father secured a tract of government
landl, which he improved and added to until he owned two hundred
forty acres. From 1870 to 1875 the family lived at Mt. Horeb, where
Mir. Mickelson's brother, Gabriel, is now engaged in the lumber busi-
ness. They afterward removed to the farm where Mr. Mickelson's
death occurred in 1889. His widow is still living, aged eighty-eight
years, and makes her home with her son, Andrew A. Arne Mickel-
son was a consistent Republican in his political opinions}, and in relig-
ious matters affiliated with the Lutheran church. Of the children
born to him and his wife, Michael and Jorand are deceased; Bertha
and Andrew A. are still living, the latter being the subject of this
sketch. He received a fair education in the home schools, always
lived at home with his parents, taking care of them in their declining
years. In March, 1895, he entered the employ of the Patron Mercan-
tile Company, in the village of Black Earth, and remained with that
concern until the following January, when he bought his present busi-
ness. The firm handles all kinds of building material, and also deals
in flour, etc. In 1902 Md-. Mickelson sold the old home farm, and
since then has devoted all his time and energies to his business. He
is regarded as one of the successful men of the village, is a director in
the state bank of Black Earth, and a member of the school board.
Politically he is a Republican!, and has held several local offices, the
duties of which he has discharged to the entire satisfaction of the
electors. In church matters he has followed the faith of his parents
and belongs to the Lutheran denomination. On November 10, 1883,
Mr. Mickelson was united in marriage to Miss Mattie Bergine, a na-
tive of Norway, whose parents were Andrew and Mattie Bergine.
To this marriage have been bom the following children: Alfred, now

BIOGRAPHICAL. 625

with the Northern Electric Company, of Madison, in the capacity of
bookkeeper; Carrie, deceased; Christina, at home; Carl, deceased;
Carl and Bertha at home with their parents, ana Emm'a, deceased.

Layton B. Miles, a retired farmer living at 1117 West Dayton
street, was born in the town of Kingsbury, Washington county, N. Y.,
Novemlber 30, 1831. His parents were Warren and Nancy (Bentley)
Miles, both born in New York state. The father came with his fam-
ily to Dane county, purchasing eighty acres of land in the town of
Verona, about 1875. His death occurred on this farm some years
later and the mother's end also came while she was a resident of the
town of Verona. L. B. Miles secured what educational advantages
the schools of his native county afforded and then came to Dane
county to follow the vocation of farming. When the Civil War
threatened to disrupt this country Mr. Miles enlisted on November
9, 1861. in Company B, Eleventh Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, as a
private. After two years in the service he received an honorable dis-
charge because of physical disability. Upon his return from the war
he again took up farming and remained at it until his retirement in
1900, when he removed to the residence in Madison which he now
occupies. At one time he owned and operated two farms, one in the
town of Verona and the other in the town of Madison, but now he
has but the Verona place of about one hundred and thirty-nine and
one-half acres, which he rents to his son-in-law, Charles Z. Pope. Mr.
Miles has been three times married. His first wife was Mary Smith, by
whom he had three children, Hattie, George, (deceased) and Ralph.
His second wife was Lucinda Phillips whom he married in 1863. By
this marriage he had six children: Grace, Warren, (deceased), Ed-
ward, Harry, Carrie and Cora, (deceased). His third wife is Fannie
M. Miles, who was the widow of Colonel Calvin W. Pope. Mrs. Miles
has nine children living out of eleven born to her union with Colonel
Pope. Mr. Miles was formerly identified with the Methodist church
of Verona, but of late years has not been connected with any religious
organization. In political matters he marches under the banner of the
Republican party. He is one of the members of Lucius Fairchild
post, Grand Army of the Republic. For over fifty-five years Mr.
Miles has been a resident of Dane county. He is today one of the
mo^st esteemed and respected citizens.

Samuel Miles is one of the sterling pioneer citizens of Dane

county, having long been engaged in farming in Dunkirk township

and being at the present time a resident of the city of Stoughton,

where he is living essentially retired, enjoying the rewards of

40— iii

626 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

his former toil and endeavor. Mr. Miles claims the old Empire
state of the Union as the place of his nativity, having been born
in the town of Peru, Clinton county, New York, April 3, 1833,
and being a son of Moore and Mary Ann (Cummings) Miles,
both of whom were likewise natives of that county, where the
respective families located in the pioneer days. Mr. Miles was
reared to maturity in his native county, where he remained until
1852, when, at the age of nineteen years, he came to Wisconsin,
being employed in connection with the lumbering industry in the
pineries of the northern part of the state until 1855, when he came
to Dane county and purchased seventy-three acres of wild land,
in Dunkirk township. He reclaimed and improved the land, and
eventually he purchased two other farms, in the same township,
one comprising one hundred and sixty acres and the other forty
acres. He made all the improvements on these farms also and
he continued actively identified with 'agricultural pursuits until
1896, since which year he has lived retired, in Stoughton. As a
farmer he was energetic and enterprising, and his success was un-
reserved and was won by his own zealous efforts. In politics he
maintains an independent attitude and while he is not a member of
any religious body he affiliates with and gives his support to the
Seventh-day Adventist church. Mr. Miles has been twice mar-
ried. By his first wife he has four children : George W., Nettie,
A. D. and Jennie. Nettie is now the wife of Florens Long. His
second wife was Henrietta Van Buren Hall, of Dunkirk township,
this county, and their marriage was solemnized November 6, 1887.
She died in 1904. No children were born of the second marriage.
J. H. Miller, president of the bank of Verona, was born near
Evansville. YYis., January 14, 1854. His parents, Charles and
Catherine (Butt's) Miller, were both natives of Pennsylvania, born
near Stroudsburg. They came to Wisconsin in 1847, and settled
near Milton, Rock county. He died at Evansville, in 1895, aged
seventy years, and his widow now resides at that place. He was
a farmer and one of the pioneers of that section and was a man of
considerable prominence. He had twelve children, of whom J. H.
Miller, the subject of this sketch was the oldest ; the others are
Willis, of Evansville; Paulina, married J. E. Colfon. of Colton.
S. D. ; Aurora, married W. E. Moore, a farmer and president of
the bank of Rio, in Columbia county; Stanton, president of the
Citizens bank of Belleville; Ulysses, of Milton; Chester, of Evans-
ville ; Kate, married G. W. Wilder, of Chicago, 111. ; Charles, of
Stoughton ; Ernest, of Evansville ; Fred, of Cooksville ; Retta,

BIOGRAPHICAL. 627

died from injuries received from a fall, at the age of thirteen years.
J. H. Miller was reared in Evansville, educated in the public
schools and in Evansville seminary, and later took a course at the
Northwestern business college, of Madison. For a year after
graduation he was employed as a clerk in Evansville and Brook-
lyn, and in 1881 came to Verona and settled on a farm in section
33, which he still owns, although he has changed his residence to
section 28. He is a large land-owner, having at the present time
six hundred and forty acres. He continued in the active superin-
tendence of his farming property until 1905. since which time he
has leased the entire farm. February 1, 190*. he organized the
bank of Verona, and has been its president since that time; he was
the founder and president of the Mt. Vernon telephone company,
organized in 1900. and is also interested in the oil business. Air.
Miller was married in 1878 to Miss Carrie Moore, of Albany; they
had four children, of whom two, Mabel and Charles, have died.
The oldest, John, and the youngest, Stanley, make their home with
their father ; after the death of his wife. Air. Miller married Aliss
Sophia Holverson. of Evansville. To them were also born four
children, Carrie, Ernest, Willis and George. Air. Aliller is a mem-
ber of F. & A. AL, Xo. 5, of Aladison.

Lewis Miller, a tanner in the town of Aliddleton, was born at
Greenport, Columbia county. X. Y., October 21, 1828. He is a son of
W'ilhelm and Afargaret (Ford) Aliller, both natives of Columbia
county. W'ilhelm Aliller was a fisherman on the Hudson river until
1855, when he came with his family to Dane county, where he passed
the remainder of his life. He and his wife were members of the
Dutch Reformed church. They had four children, but Lewis and
Kate were the only ones who came with their parents to Wisconsin-
Kate married Samuel Post and she and her husband are both de-
ceased. Lewis Aliller received a limited education in the home schools
of his day and worked on the farm with his father after coming to
Wisconsin until he bought forty acres of wild land of his own and be-
gan farming for himself. Later he sold this farm and bought a small
tract of land in the town of Aliddleton, where he now lives. He i =
extensively engaged in bee culture and sells large quantities of honey
every year. He also does a large business as a truck farmer, in rais-
ing vegetables and small fruits. Politically Air. Aliller is a Repub-
lican, but he is by no means what could be called an active politician.
On August 23, 1853, he was united in marriage to Aliss Esther,
daughter of John Frazer, of Columbia county, X. A*., and to this union
were born the following; children: William, who married Clara

628 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Richardson and is now farming on the old homestead; Almeda May,
deceased; Maria V., wife of Richard Rowe; Margaret, wife of Robert
M. Hawes ; Lewis, a carpenter in the city of Madison; Henry and
Ada May, both deceased, and one who died in early childhood. Mrs.
Miller died in March, 1890, and Mrs. Rowe now lives with and keeps
house for her father. Her husband, Richard Rowe, is a native of
Dane county, where he lived until he was eighteen years of age, when
he became interested in mining operations. For some time he was
thus engaged in Colorado, his wife being with him part of the time.
While in Colorado he worked at Alpina, Tin Cup, and various other
places, and when gold was discovered in the Klondike he and his son,
also named Richard, went to the new gold fields, and are now en-
gaged in mining at Windham! Bay. Mr. and Mrs. Rowe have four
children. Nina Esther is the wife of Forest L. Donkle, of Mon-
mounth, la.; Richard is with his father, as above mentioned; Lillian
Augusta, and Eugene Allen are attending the schools at Middleton.
Hon. Simeon Mills, early Madison pioneer, was born in Norfolk,
Litchfield county, Conn., February 14, 1810, son of Martin Mills. His
paternal grandfather was Constantine Mills, a soldier of the Revolu-
tionary War; his mother was the daughter of Clement Tuttle, also a
Revolutionary soldier. In 181 1 his father moved to Ohio -and was
one of the pioneer settlers in the northern part of that state. Here
Simeon Mills was inured to< farm labor in a new country, and received
a good comimon-school education. When twenty he taught school
for a brief period and then engaged in mercantile pursuits. He was
married in 1834 to' Maria Louisa Smith, daughter of Church Smith,
a native of Berkshire county, Mass. After making his first journey
west to Chicago, in 1835, he located the following year in Wisconsin,
and when the territorial capital was finally located at Madison, in the
Four Lakes Region, he decided to make that point his home. On the
morning of June 10, 1837, the capitol building conimiss-ioner, A. A.
Bird, with thirty-six workmen, among whom was Darwin Clark, ar-
rived from Milwaukee. Says Mr. Thwaites in his "Story of Madison":
"The late Simeon Mills, long prominently identified with the educa-
tional interests of Madison, arrived in the afternoon of the same day,
having walked out of Chicago, via Janesville and Winncquah. Mills
began serving as deputy postmaster on the Fourth of July, conducting
the office in connection with a general store which he had opened on
his arrival." He secured the contract for carrying the mail between
Madison and Milwaukee until July 1, 1842, and is said to have per-
formed the difficult service without the loss of a single trip during the
term of his contract, employing a man to do the work, on horseback.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 629

In August, 1837, he was appointed justice of the peace of Dane county,
probably the only one at that time between Milwaukee and Dodge-
ville. When Dane county was organized in 1839, he was chosen one
of the county commissioners and appointed clerk of the court, holding
the latter office for about nine years. In 1846 he proposed to the new
village trustees of Madison, to lease the water-power at the outlet of
Fourth Lake for a period of sixty years; the proposition was accepted,
but he soon abandoned the enterprise. He was one of the founders
of the "Wisconsin Argus," his associates being at first, John Y. Smith
and Benjamin Holt, and later, Horace A. Tenney, David T. Dickson,
and S. D. Carpenter. He was territorial treasurer at the end of the
territorial era, and was elected the first senator for Dane county,
when the state government went into operation in 1848. He then in-
troduced the bill, enacted into law, which became the charter of the
University of Wisconsin, and was a member of the first board of re-
gents of the institution, being instrumental in purchasing the site and
superintending the erection of its first building. In i860 he became a
member of the board of trustees of the State Hospital for the insane,
and served in that capacity for seventeen years, being a very active
and useful member. During his long life he was identified with many
public improvements, and was a large factor in the prosperity of Madi-
son. He invested his accumulations in lands and buildings, and their
care and improvement constituted his chief private business. When
the Civil War broke out, he was active in the enlistment of troops, and
was appointed paymaster-general by Governor Randall, disbursing
more than $1,000,000 the first year of the war. He was prominently
identified with the growth and development of the State Historical
Society, one of Wisconsin's most noted institutions. In 1893 he -pub-
lished a neat little volume, entitled "Readings from the Book of Na-
ture," which attracted much attention in the scientific world, by reason
of the law advanced for determining matter from sensation. General
and Mrs. Mills were the parents of five children, only one of whom
is now living, — a daughter, Genevieve M. His death occurred June
1. 1895. The beautiful old homestead on Monona Avenue, now is oc-
cupied by his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Arthur C. Mills, and her daughter.
Elizabeth B., is one of the stately homes of Madison.

Erik E. Moe is a well known farmer of Perry, Dane county. AYis..
who came from Norway in 1887. He was born in Lorn. Gud-
bransdalen, Norway. July 9, 1862, son of Erik and Thora Moe,
both natives of Norway, neither of whom ever came to America.
Mr. Moe died in Norway in 1900 and his widow still resides at the.

630 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

old home. Of their family of seven children, three came to the
United States. Mary, who is Mrs. Nelson, resides at Lake Mills,
Wis., and Tina, who married Mr. Bolstead, lives in Perry town-
ship. Dane county. Erik E. commenced to work out in Norway
at the age of thirteen years but was able to earn very little and de-
termined to try his fortunes in America. He embarked for the
United States in 1886 and first worked in Klevensville, Dane
county, as a farm hand. After five years spent at this employment
he went to Madison and there was employed as a mason for two
years. Realizing that his farming experience was his best capital
he rented a farm in Perry and was soon able to buy it. His home-
stead is a fertile property of one hundred and twenty-four acres,
where Mr. Moe has erected buildings that are comfortable and
substantial and has added much other farm equipment. May 8,
1895, he married Miss Johanna Larson, a native of Norway,
daughter of Lars Skimling and Dorothy (Hange) Skimling. and
two children blessed the marriage ; Emma Tunita and John Leon-
ard, both of whom arc at home with their parents. Mrs. Moe be-
longed to a family of six children, of whom three came to the
United States. Christ and John went to Tacoma, Washington,
where the former now lives and the latter died two years ago.
Mr. Moe is a public-spirited man who always does his part to pro-
mote any public work, but he does not participate actively in
politics. He votes the Republican ticket. Mr. Moe is a member
of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Thorn M. Moe, one of the progressive land owners of the town
of Dunn, was born in Bergen, Norway, February 14, 185-4. His
parents were Mars N. and Sevena Moe, the former a native of Ber-
gen and the latter of Rumstal, Norway. Mars Moe brought his
family to this country in 1869, his objective point being Dane
county. For several months after the arrival here father and son
worked at common labor and then jointly purchased the home
where they now reside. The father, although more than ninety
years of age, still keeps his interest in the affairs of his son and
his neighbors. Thorn M. Moe was educated in the public schools
of Ordahl, Norway. A few years ago he purchased his father's
interest in the Dunn township farm, and its sixty acres have been
a source of prosperity to him. On December 23, 1879, he married
Carrie, daughter of Thomas Wilkinson and Seneva Halversdaugh-
ter (Espahem) Mittun, natives of Norway. Mrs. Moe first saw
the light of day in the Fatherland on June 28, 1848, and received
her education in the same excellent schools as did her husband.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 631

To this union have come five children, Minna Sophia, born Septem-
ber 26, 1880, now Mrs. John Melaas of the town of Dunn ; Tilda
Cecelia, born November 6, 1881 ; Wilma, born June 21, 1883, now
Mrs. Fred Brandt of the town of Blooming Grove ; Theodore, born
March 21, 1887, died April 26, 1889; and Harry Halvor Bugge,
born November 6. 1888. It is an interesting fact that Thorn M.
Moe was born on the same day as the Hon. J. O. Davidson, gover-
nor of the state of Wisconsin, and in the same community. The
subject of this sketch and the distinguished executive had many a
childhood romp together, climbing the same trees to look for bird's
eggs and receiving their education at the same school. Politically
Mr. Moe is a Republican. Since the elevation of his former play-
mate to political office he has watched closely the moves of each
party and done all in his power to help his friend. He is a mem-
ber of the Lutheran church.

Gilbert G. Moen, of the township of Christiania, Dane county,
Wis., is of Norwegian birth and came to the United States with
his parents when he was but three years old. His father, Gul-
brand Moen, was a native of Nummedahl, Norway, where he was
a farmer. With his wife, Bertha (Oleson) Moen, and two little
children, he made the long and dangerous journey on a sailing
craft and landed in New York city in 1852. Their first home in
Wisconsin was in Christiania but after one year they moved to
Pleasant Springs where they purchased an improved farm of eighty
acres. . This was their home until 1866, when they sold it and
located near Rockdale, then Clinton. Mr. Moen died in 1893 and
his wife in 1897. They were members of the Synode church of
East Koshoknong. Two children made up their family, Ole G.,
the oldest son, lived at home until the Civil War, when he enlisted
in Company D, Twenty-third Wisconsin Infantry and died at
Milliken Bend, La. Gilbert G. was born in Nummedahl, Norway,
January 27, 1849, attended the home schools and the Albion
academy and lived with his parents until his marriage. Septem-
ber 5, 1871, he married Miss Julia Hendrickson, daughter of Ole
and Guri (Olson) Hendrickson, who came from Norway and lo-
cated at Oakland, Jefferson county, WTis. Mr. Hendrickson was
a farmer and blacksmith and lived at Oakland until his death in
April. 1901. Mrs. Hendrickson died in 1902. Eleven children
were born to them, of whom five are now living; Henry lives in
Chicago ; Lena resides at Oakland at the old home ; Julia is Mrs
Moen ; Martin is a resident of Lincoln, S. D., and Mary lives in
Oakland. To Mr. and Mrs. Moen were born eight children ;

632 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Bertha, who has taught for some years at Toronto, S. D. ; George.
Herman, Dora, Emma. William, Ellen and Orlow. All were edu-
cated in the schools of Albion and Cambridge and Bertha attended
the Whitewater normal school. For a few years prior to his mar-
riage Gilbert Moen taught school at Rockdale and then began
farming about half a mile east of Rockdale. After seven years
upon this farm he purchased another in section 26, township of
Christiania which has since been the home of the family and upon
which an extensive general farming business is carried on. Mr.
Moen is a loyal adherent to the principles of the Republican party
and has served as town clerk. The family attends the Synode
church of East Koshkonong.

Ole Hermanson Moen is a native of Bergenstift, Norway, and
has been a resident of Dane county since 1857. He owns a farm of
eighty acres in section 31, town of Christiania, of which sixty-five
acres are under cultivation. When Mr. Moen first obtained the pro-
perty, in 1 871, it was covered with timber and the labor of clearing it,
erecting farm buildings, etc. has all been accomplished by his energy.
He carries on a general farming business, raises considerable tobacco*.
grain and hay as well as some stock. His father, Herman Moen. was
a native of Bergenstift and there owned a farm and spent his entire
life. He married Elsie Vettie of the same place and four children
were born to them, of whom three came to the United State. Ma-
teria lived at Buffalo', ,Wis., and died there ; Ole H. is the oldest living-
son ; Hendrick is a farmer of St. Croix, Wis. Herman Moen and his
wife both died in Norway. Ole Hermanson was born December 26,
1835, attended school in Norway and with his sister Malena took pas-
sage on a sailing vessel bound for America in 1857. After a six
weeks voyage they landed in. Quebec and proceeded to Milwaukee by
boat, and thence to Stoughton. For fourteen years Ole lived in
Albion and in 1871 purchased his present home. In September,
1871, he married Betsy Kaase, who was born in Telemarken, Nor-
way, and came to America with her parents in 1845 and located in
Albion. Mrs. Moen died in July, 1881. Two children made up the
family: Ella Ml. and Nettie M. Ella has always lived at home.
Nettie married in April, 1897, Oscar Johnson of Utica and has four
children; Obert, born July, 1898, Adolph, born November 13. i8q<j,
Joachim born February. 1901, and Beatrice, born June 32, 1003. The
family all live at the old home and since 1898 Mr. Johnson has man-
aged the farm. They are prominent members of the west church oi
Christiania. Mr. Moen has always been independent in political mat-
ters, voting for the candidate who in his judgment would give the bes":

BIOGRAPHICAL. 633

service in office. He served on the school board and is interested in
the welfare of the community.

Anders Moldstad was for twenty-six years one of the leading
business men and most public-spirited citizen of the village of De For-
est, Wis. He was born in Norway. August 24, 1843, was educated
in Norway and came to the United States in 1869, residing for a time
in Iowa. His parents, John and Corinne (Dyste) Molstad, never left
Xorway. Mrs. Moldstad is still living, having attained the ad-
vanced age of eighty-five years and Mr. Moldstad died in Norway.
Anders Moldstad left Iowa to come to Lodi, Wis., where he lived
until 1873, when he moved to De Forest, which he ever after made
his home. He carried on a prosperous mercantile business until
his death in 1899 and was of sterling worth as a citizen. Always
active in local affairs he was not a party man in politics but never-
theless held various offices of trust in the community. He was
prominent in the First Lutheran church of the village and one of
its leading supporters. In 1873, he married Miss Johanna Corinne
Berg, who was born in Norway, daughter of Christian and Inge-
borg (Presterud) Berg, both of whom spent their entire lives in
Norway. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Moldstad.
John, the oldest son, was graduated from Luther College of
Decorah, Iowa, and from the University of "Wisconsin and
Concordia Theological Seminary at St. Louis, and has a call to a
Chicago church. Ingeborg, the oldest daughter, is a gradu-
ate of the Lutheran Ladies' Seminary at Red Wing of the
class of 1897. Edla graduated in the same class with her sis-
ter. Nellie attended the University of Wisconsin, was graduated in
the class of 1902 and is teaching in Shullsburg, Wis. Christian, the
youngest son, was graduated from the Luther College of Decorah,
Iowa, and is now a student at the Luther Seminary of St. Paul Minn.
Mrs. Moldstad and her family occupy the charming home in De For-
est, which was built by Mr. Moldstad.

James N. Monson, a thrifty Norwegian farmer of the town of
Dunn, was born in Adams county, Wis.. April 16. 1860. He was
one of eight children of Nels Monson, four of whom beside the
subject are living. Ole, Julia. James N., and Henry, residents of
Columbia county, except the subject of this memoir, and Gertrude,
now Mrs. Thomas Olson of Madison. Nels Monson came to Wis-
consin in 1852. For some six months he worked at common labor
in Stoughton and then purchased a farm in Adams county. Here
Mrs. Monson died in giving birth to a son, and the father soon
after sold the farm and purchased a place in Columbia county.

634 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

where he remained until his death in 1891. James N. Monson re-
ceived a very limited education in the district schools of Columbia
county. When a mere boy he started out on life's journey. His
first labor as a farm hand brought him four dollars a month. For
several years he "worked out" and by frugal habits managed to ac-
cumulate enough to purchase a splendidly equipped farm in the
town of Dunn shortly after his marriage on September 25, 1884,
to Anna, only child of Torbin and Batilda (Nelson) Nelson of the
town of Dunn. Air. and Mrs. Nelson came to this country at an
early date; Mr. Nelson died in 1884 and his wife in 1897. To
Mr. and Mrs. Monson have been born six children, Martin Theo-
dore, October 18, 1886 ; Betsy, June 8, 1888, died in infancy ; Beatta
Nelena, July 26, 1889; Josie Marguerite, May 26, 1892; Nelgen
Joseph, September 27, 1894; and Jean Adeline, August 29, 1898,
died in infancy. Mr. Monson is distinctively a self-made man.
Although his education has been extremely limited, he is a copious
reader and is probably as well posted as any man in the vicinity.
Though nominally a Republican his judgment dictates how he
shall exercise his right of franchise. In religious matters he is
associated with the Norwegian Lutheran church.

William B. Morehead is a highly respected farmer and dairyman
of the town of Montrose, where he has resided all the years of his
life. He is the son and only child of William M. Morehead, who was
one of the pioneer settlers in that part of Dane county. The father
was born in Cadiz, Harrison county, Ohio, November 16, 1819, and
was a farmer during all of his long and active life. He resided a few
years in both Coshocton and Licking counties, Ohio, and in 1845
came to Wisconsin. In November of the same year he purchased of
"LTncle Sam" eighty acres of land, which became the family home-
stead, and he built thereon a log house, which stood a few feet north
of the spot where the more elegant residence of later years stands.
During the years succeeding his settlement in the town of Montrose
Mr. Morehead did pioneer work among the openings on the Sugar
river bottoms, and his success was such that he became the owner of*
two hundred twenty-four acres in one body in section twenty-two,
besides twenty acres in section twenty of the same township. In 1850
he was married to Miss Sarah Southard, a native of Addison county,
Vermont, who had taken up her residence in the town of Montrose
with relatives about a year previous to her marriage. She died on
May 7, 1880, leaving but one child, William B., whose name intro-
duces this memoir. The father, an old-line Whig-Republican, filled
the position of justice of the peace in 1849-50 and, subsequently), was

BIOGRAPHICAL. 635

■also assessor many years in succession and chairman of the town
board in 1870. William B. Morehead, the immediate subject of this
review, was born on the old homestead in the town of Montrose, De-
■cember 7, 1851. He received his education in the district and select
schools of that vicinity, and upon reaching- manhood followed in the
footsteps of his honored sire and selected the occupation of a farmer
as his life's vocation. He still resides on the land that was preempted
by his father from the national government, and under his careful and
intelligent management the acres have increased until they now num-
ber three hundred, all under an excellent state of cultivation, or used
for the purpose of grazing. His farming interests are very exten-
sive, but he divides his attention between that and dairying, in each
of which he has met with gratifying success. Mr. Morehead has been
twice married first to Miss Mina Chrisler, a native of the state of
New York, and to this union two sons were born : YVillard William,
who resides in Belleville, and Orlo Chrisler, who resides at home.
After the death of his first wife Mr. Morehead married Miss Jessie
Boiling but to this union there have been no children. Our subject-
is a Republican in politics, and is also a member of the ivj... W. of A.

James B. Morehouse, a prominent farmer of the town of Sun
Prairie, has resided in that township since he was a boy twelve
years old. With his parents, William I. and Margaret (Mac-
Comber) Morehouse, he came to Wisconsin from ' Xew York in
1854. William I. Morehouse was born in Essex county, X. Y.. in
1806, and educated in the home schools and came wrest in 1854,
locating on a farm in the town of Sun Prairie. Here he lived until
his death in 1876. Margaret MacComber was born in Clinton
county, X. Y., in 1812, and came to Wisconsin after her marriage
to Mr. Morehouse. Ten children wTere born to the marriage, of
whom seven are now living. Michael Morehouse, father of Wil-
liam I., lived and died in Xew York. He served his country in
the War of 1812 and married Diadema Stafford, also a native of
Xew York. Mrs. William I. Morehouse had a Scotch father and
German mother, who spent the later part of their lives in Xew
York. Her son, James B., was born in Essex county, Xew York.
March 20, 1812, attended school both in Essex county, X. Y., and
in Dane county, and served three years in the Civil War. Octo-
ber 11, 1861. he enlisted as private in Company G, First Regiment
AYisconsin Volunteer Infantry, was wounded at Chickamauga
September 20, 186:3. and imprisoned for one hundred and twenty-
seven days in Libby prison. Rejoining his regiment June 20, 1861,
he served with his comrades until the muster out of the regiment

636 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

October 14, 1864. Mr. Morehouse is a member of the G. A. R.
His sympathy in political matters is with the Republican party but
he is not an office-seeker. December 28, 1869, he married Miss
Mary A. Negus, who was born in Onondaga county, N. Y., daugh-
ter of Abel C. and Eliza A. (Holenbeck) Negus, who were natives
of New York and came to Lake Mills, Jefferson county, Wis., to
reside. Later they moved to the township of Sun Prairie, Dane
county, and there spent the remainder of their lives. Three chil-
dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Morehouse ; George A., who mar-
ried Miss Lettie Hart and has two children, James Everett and
Thomas Obert ; Clarence A., the second son, died in infancy and
the youngest son is Frank E. Morehouse. The family is identi-
fied with the Methodist Episcopal church.

Silas Morey, (deceased) was one of the early settlers of Dane,
coming with his wife in 1845, tnen a young man of twenty-five, and set-
tling on the farm where he died in 1890, after over half a century of
continuous residence, having seen the country develop from a forest
wilderness to its present state of cultivation and affluence. He was a
native of Pennsylvania, and was born June 16, 1820. His father
Stephen Morey, was a native of Rhode Island, but his mother, Cath-
erine (Miller) Morey, was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania.
They also came to Medina township in 1845, with a family of two sons
and two daughters, and settled on a farm one and one-half miles east
of Marshall, but changed to the farm now owned by the Morey estate.
They have both passed away, Mr. Morey in 1881. The subject of this
sketch received his educational training in the common schools of
Pennsylvania; 'he and bis wife, Adeline (Skinner) Morey, were mem-
bers of the Baptist church. They took up first a tract of eighty acres,
but afterward added to it forty acres, which, with the exception of a
small tract of three acres, still remains the possession of Mrs. Morey,
who is eighty years of age. Their children were Harriet (deceased);
Matilda (deceased); Henry, a carpenter of Sibley, Iowa; he was in the
Civil War, in Company H, Forty-ninth Regiment Wisconsin Volun-
teer Infantry, one year ; Amelia, wife of M. S. Smith of Waterloo ;
Anna, wife of Herman Kuether, who was born in Germany in 1855,
came to Jefferson county in 1870, and to Dane in 1875, where they
were married in 1878, and have five children, Jesse, Orin, Walter (de-
ceased), Alta, Feme ; they have charge of the homestead and have
lived there for eighteen years; in religious belief they are associated
with the Christian Scientists; Mr. Kuether is 2 member of M. W.
A. ; Nelson of Stanbaugh. Mich. ; Hiram, of Madison. Mrs. Adeline
(Skinner) Morey was a native of Cattaraugus, N. Y., born in 1825;

BIOGRAPHICAL. 637

she is the daughter of David and Phoebe (Heurdcks) Skinner, both
natives' of New York. Mrs. Skinner died in Pennsylvania in 1843;
her husband came to Dane among- the early settlers, but he returned
east to Erie county Pa. where he died.

Charles E. Morgan, deceased, for many years a dry goods mer-
chant of the city of Madison, was born in New Haven, Conn., May
19, 1816, and died at Madison, Wisconsin, May 20, 190-1. His ed-
ucation was received chiefly in the public schools of New Haven.
At the age of fourteen he started life for himself as a dry goods
clerk and for some years following was in a wholesale store in
New York city. He later engaged in the retail business in west-
ern New York. In 1852 he married Miss Naomi Seymour, who
died in 1862 leaving one son, William E., now a practicing surgeon
in Chicago. Mr. Morgan's arrival in Dane county was in 1854.
For six years he remained on a farm for the benefit of his health.
From 1860 to 1867 he was county bookkeeper, resuming the mer-
cantile business in the summer of 1867. He continued in this
successfully for several years. In 1861 he married Miss Sophia
Hotchkiss of New Haven. Mr. Morgan was for several terms jus-
tice of the peace in the town of Madison.

Henry H. Morgan, a son of Charles E. and Sophia (Hotchkiss)
Morgan, was born in Madison, September 28, 1870. His education
was received in the public and high schools of Madison,. and in
the University of Wisconsin, from the law department of which
institution he received the degree of LL. B. From the time of his
admittance to the bar in June, 1893, to 1905 he practiced his pro-
fession in Madison. In the latter year he was appointed assistant
United States district attorney for the western district of Wiscon-
sin. Mr. Morgan is a member of the Sigma Chi (college) and Phi
Delta Phi (law) fraternities. He is also an Elk and a Mason.

Thomas Morgan is now living retired at No. Ill South Butler
street, in the city of Madison, after a life of considerable activity in
America, as well as during the years of residence in his native
country before migrating here. He was born in Leamington, county
of Warwickshire, England, on May 15, 1841, and is the son of Wil-
liam and Elizabeth (Haywood) Morgan, the parents spending their
lives in the mother country, where the father followed the trade of
shoe-making. Two brothers of our subject came to the United
States prior to the Civil War. and during that conflict both served :s
soldiers in the Federal army. Neither of them are living. Another
brother and also' a sister has migrated to America within recent years,
the former, Harry Morgan, being a resident of Milwaukee, and the

638 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

latter, Mrs. Harriet Hoggins, resides in the same city. Thomas
Morgan received his education in the common schools of his native
land, and in February, 1873, sailed for the United States. Coming
directly to Wisconsin he located in Madison, and after remaining in
the employ of others for a few years, in 1878 he began business for
himself. He conducted the restaurant at the corner of Main and
Pinckney continuously until 1892, when he disposed of it and has
since been practically retired, although he has given some attention to
real-estate dealing. He owns the comfortable residence which he oc-
cupies on South Butler street and other property in the city ; also
some small farms in the country. Mr. Morgan married his first wife
in England, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah Franklin, a native
of that country., and the date of the marriage was May 24, 1861. She
died in the city of Madison in 1883, and on April 5, 1884, Mr. Mor-
gan was married in Milwaukee at the residence of the Episcopal
minister to Miss Katie McGonegal, daughter of Alexander McGon-
egal, a former well-known citizen of Madison. Mrs. Morgan was
born in Xew York city, but her parents afterward removed to Mil-
waukee, where her lather was engaged in the wholesale tobacco busi-
ness. The 'father and mother are both deceased, and Airs. Morgan
has no relatives living, other than the members of her immediate home
circle. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan are the parents of three children, all
born and educated in Madison, and their names are : Alexander Wil-
liam, Sarah Blanche, and Thomas, Jr. Mr. [Morgan gives his support
to the men and measures of the Democratic party, but has never been
an aspirant for political position.

Edward W. Morhoff, an enterprising tinsmith of 454 West
Washington avenue, [Madison, was born in Middleton, Dane county,
April 12, 1863. His parents, Christopher and Mary Morhoff, were
both natives of Germany and were married in that country, coming
to the United States about the middle of the nineteenth century. The
father owned and operated a small farm near [Middleton from the time
of his arrival until his death, at the age of sixty-eight, in 1898. His
widow is still a resident of Middleton. Both were members of the
Lutheran church. Of their seven children John, a farmer, died in
1892 at the age of thirty-one; Lizzie married Frank Lawrence, a car-
penter and contractor; Edward W., the subject of this sketch, is a tin-
smith; Julia is the wife of Charles Daggett, a mail carrier of [Madison;
Henry is a tinsmith in Madison; Tillie married Charles Durkopp, a
farmer residing near Middleton ; Willie works for his brother, Ed-
ward W. After the completion of his academic education in Middle-
ton and Madison Edward W. Morhoff learned his trade with Tohn N.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 63$

Jones. For fifteen years he was employed by Sumner & Morris and
then in 1899 started his own 'business. That he has been successful
is evidenced by the amount of work he has to do and the number of
men he employs. His furnace and sheet metal work is second to none.
His establishment is fully equipped and is up-to-date. In 1892, Mr.
Morhoff married Mrs. Jessie (Parrott) Ennis, a daughter of Alfred and
Eliza Parrott, now residents of Greenbush, a suburb of Madison. Mrs.
Morhoff by her first marriage was the mother of three daughters, —
Lizzie, the wife of Bernard Erickson, Nellie and May, the latter two
at home. Mrs. Morhoff died May 20, 1903. She was a member of
the Methodist Episcopal church and an estimable woman. Mr.
Morhoff is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is
a splendid workman, honest, intelligent and enterprising.

James Morrison, a native of Scotland, is one of the prominent
farmers of Morrisonville. His parents, James and Elizabeth (Hill)
Morrison came from Scotland to New York city in 1842, and shortly
after came to Milwaukee, where they resided for two years. The farm
Which they purchased in Dane county is the site of the present village
of Morrisonville. Mr. Morrison's farm consisted of three hundred-
acres and he also< owned property in Columbia county. Mr. Morrison,
Sr., took a prominent part in the organization of the village, which
was named in his honor and he presented the right 01 way and forty
acres of land to promote it. A Republican in his sympathies, Mr.
Morrison held various offices in the community, among them being
justice of the peace and treasurer of Windsor township. He was a
member of the Masonic fraternity. With his wife and family he at-
tended the Congregational church. Of the five children who were
born to Mr. and Mrs. Morrison, four are living. Their father died in
1875 and his wife in 1892. James Morrison, their son, was born in
Scotland, August 23, 1836, came to the United States with his parents
when he was a boy of six years and attended school in Windsor and
at the academy of Evansville, Rock county. He has always been a far-
mer and has a fine farm property of two hundred and sixty acres, be-
ing especially interested in the breeding of Durham cattle and Poland
China hogs. Mr. Morrison is allied with the Republican party, as
was his father, but is independent in his vote upon local matters. Jan-
uary 13, 1862, he married Miss Jane McKinnon, who was born in
Scotland in 1837, daughter of Collin and Jane (Ross) McKinnon, who
•were natives of Scotland and came to Wisconsin about 1855. Seven
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Morrison; Alexander C, the old-
est, is a successful farmer; Tames Hill and Collin M. are hardware

640 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

merchants of Morrisonville; George B. is a mechanic in Morrison-
ville and Rowland H. is a mechanical engineer in the employ of the
C. M. & St. P. Both the daughters are married; Elizabeth is Airs.
John R. Caldwell of Vienna and Jesse E. is Airs. T. A. Caldwell.

Rev. Albert John Mueller, the popular pastor of St. Ignatius
church at Alt. Horeb, is a native of the state of Wisconsin, and
was born in Barton, Washington county, on October 11, 1873. He
is the son of Nicholas Peter and Katharine (Games) Mueller, both
of whom were natives of Germany. The father was a wagon-
maker and skilled blacksmith, serving a rigid apprenticeship at the
trade in the Fatherland, and at the age of eighteen years he mi-
grated to America, the land of better opportunities. He first
located in Milwaukee, but in 1848, in the very beginning of the
excitement over the discovery of gold in California, he made the
trip across the plains to the Pacific coast. He remained but a
short time in the Golden state and then returned east, but later
he made the journey to California again, going by boat "around
the Horn," as it was commonly spoken in those days. Mr. Mueller
traveled a great deal during the early years of his life, but finally
settled permanently in the city of Milwaukee, where he followed
the business of contracting and building. He was a very fine
workman and mechanic, met with a fair share of prosperity and by
good management achieved a competence. During the Civil War
he was drafted into the service, but owing to his business affairs
demanding his attention he secured a substitute. Later he was
drafted a second time, and, responding to that call he entered the
army and served throughout the remainder of the war, after which
he returned to Milwaukee. Some time later he removed to Wash-
ington county and established his residence at Barton, where he
continued to live during the remainder of his life, and where the
mother still makes her home. Mr. Mueller was a Democrat in his
political affiliations, but never entered public life in the role of an
office seeker. Rev. A. J. Mueller is one of eight children who were
born to the parents above mentioned, and the family circle is un-
broken, excepting Dy the death of the father. Margaret, the eldest,
married Matthew Thull and resides in Washington county ; Frank
is a resident of Barton ; Joseph resides in Minneapolis, and has the
position of chief expert with the Buffalo Pitts machinery company;
Susan married Joseph Thull; Elizabeth married Theo. Thull and
resides in Chippewa county; Matthew is a resident of Washington
county; Albert John is the subject of this review; Rosina married
Andrew Kapfer and resides at Barton. Rev. A. J. Mueller received

BIOGRAPHICAL. 641

his preliminary education in the parochial school at Barton, and
supplemented the knowledge thus gained by taking a classical and
theological course in the St. Francis seminary at Milwaukee. He
was ordained on June 20, 1897, by Archbishop Katzer, and he cele-
brated his first mass on the fourth day of the following month, at
St. Michael's church in Milwaukee. His first charge was as as>
sistant pastor to Rev. William Piel at St. Bonaface's church in
Manitowoc, where he remained four years, and then for one year
he was first assistant to Rev. Ruckengruber at St. Michael's church
in Milwaukee, since which time he has been located at his present
charge. The St. Ignatius church at Mt. Horeb was established in
1894, but Father Mueller has made many improvements, putting in
stained glass windows, three new altars, statuary, and he has also
furnished the residence and made several improvements thereon.
He has organized the Ladies' Altar society, and he gives a great
deal of attention to music, playing all kinds of instruments. While
he was at Manitowoc he was active in organizing and had charge
of the Holy Family hospital, organized an Abysius boys' society,
and also a Nicolette club, which was a social organization for
ladies and gentlemen. He also organized a boys' and young men's
athletic club there.

John G. Mueller, of the brewing firm of Brunkow & Mueller, of
Pheasant Branch, Dane county, Wis., is of German origin. His
father is John C. Mueller of Racine, Wis., who was born in Herzog-
thum, Germany, and his mother was, before her marriage, Miss
Paulina Bauer, of Weimar, Saxony. J. C. Mueller, who was a
blacksmith by trade, came to' America in 1856 and lived for two years
in New York. He then decided to try his fortune in the west and
located in Rac'ne, where he was employed by the J I. Case Machine
Co., with whom he remained for the rest of his working days. He is
now retired and has reached the age of eighty-four years. Mrs.
Mueller is seventy-six years of age. Four children made up their
family. John G., the oldest; Louisa, the wife of A. F. Brunkow of
Pheasant Branch ; William, also employed by the J. I. Case Co. in
running one of their largest steam hammers ; and Charles, a clerk in
Racine. John G. Mueller was born in Racine,, July 4, i860, educated
in the public schools and lived at home until he reached the age of
nineteen years. At this time he went to Weyauwega and learned the
cabinet-maker's trade, at which he worked but a short time. In 1884
he bought the Pheasant Branch brewery, at that date in very unpro-
fitable condition. With the aid of a partner, Mr. Brunkow, the
brewery was put in good condition and a large and profitable business
41— iii

642 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

established. Madison, Middleton, Cross Plains, Mazomanie, Spring
Green and many more of the surrounding towns are supplied with the
product of the Pheasant Branch Brewing Co. Mr. Mueller is a
Democrat but not active in poliitcs. He is always interested in the
welfare of the schools of his community and directs much attention
to their concerns. He is clerk of the Middleton high school, district
No. 6; treasurer of joint district No. 7, town of Middleton. He is
also a merniber of the I. O. of O. F. and past grand master of the Mid-
dleton lodge. He is a member of the German Lutheran church of
•Middleton. May 25, 1886, he married Miss Johanna Wuestenburg,
daughter of John and Louisa Wuestenburg, natives of Mecklenburg
Schwerin, Germany. One son has been born to them ; George J.,
seventeen years of age, who has been graduated from the high school.
Iver Munson is a successful farmer of De Forest and a veteran
of the Civil War. He came to Dane county. Wis., when he was
one year old, with his parents, M. Simonson and Inga (Rewsdalj
Simonson, who were natives of Norway. They were followed in
1846 by the grandparents, Simon Simonson and his wife, who spent
the remainder of their lives in Dane county. Mr. Munson's par-
ents purchased a farm in Pleasant Springs and made that their per-
manent home. They improved it and built upon it and resided
there until their death. Eight children made up their family and
four are yet living. They were associated with the Lutheran
church. Iver Munson was born in Norway. August 28, 1843, came
to the United States in 1844. attended school in Pleasant Springs
and, in 1862, enlisted in the Fifteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infan-
try as a private in Company B. In 1864, at the expiration of his
term of service he was mustered out and re-enlisted in the United
States Veteran Corps, with which he served until 1866. He was
with the Army of the Cumberland at Lookout Mountain and Mis-
sionary Ridge, participated in the engagements during the siege
of Knoxville and followed General Sherman in his campaign to
Atlanta which included the "Hundred Days Battles." After the
war was over Mr. Munson engaged in farming in Pleasant Springs
and lived there unril 1885, when he moved to the town of Windsor
and purchased a large farm which is now his home. It consists
of four hundred and twenty-five acres and upon it Mr. Munson
carries on a general farming business, having equipped it with
modern farm machinery and improved it in other ways. Mr. Mun-
son is active in local affairs, is a Democrat and has for two years
been chairman of the town board. December 21. L874, he married
Miss Caran Hanson, who was born in Norwav and came to Pleas-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 643

ant Springs with her mother, sister and brother after the father's
death. Five children were born to the marriage ; Martin H., the
oldest son, is deceased ; a daughter, Olive, died and Cora, Ida and
Henrietta are the living children. The family is identified with
the Norway Grove Lutheran church.

Frank Murray, a retired farmer residing just outside of the cor-
porate limits of Madison, is of Scotch parentage but was born in
Parish Baslick, Ireland, September 29, 1820. On August 10, 1847,
he arrived in the United States, landing in Maine, in which state he
made his home for ten years, following his vocation of ship car-
penter. In 1857 he removed to Dane county, purchasing a small
farm in the town of Burke from Mr. D. J. Powers. Here he re-
mained with his family until 1903, when he sold out and removed
to the home he now occupies. On June 28, 1842, Mr. Murray
married Miss Beatrice Feenaghty, of Spanish and Scotch descent,
although born in Parish Yulley, Ireland, on October 25, 1815. The
wedding occurred in Parish Yulley, county of Roscommon, Ireland.
This union was blessed with five children, four of whom died in
infancy. Mrs. Murray died January 10, 1901. The only surviv-
ing child, Maria J., was born in Bowdonham, Sagadahoc county,
Me., eight miles from Bath, and came to Dane county with her
parents when but three years of age. Her education was received
in the county schools. Of late years Miss Murray has devoted her
entire time to the care of her aged and decrepit father. The tend-
erness and devotion with which she is ministering to him are
worthy the admiration and respect of everybody.

John Murray, deceased, for many years a plastering" contractor
of Madison, was born in Moffat, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, May 4.
1833. The date of his arrival in the United States and Madison was
1857 and besides a brother, William Murray, a farmer of Richland
county, he was the only member of the family to leave the native heath.
His father, Nathaniel Murray, died in his Scotland home a few years
ago. The subject of this sketch served his apprenticeship in Scot-
land and after coining here was associated with the late Eri Oakley
and just before his retirement was a partner of William Sharp. The
plastering work in the state capitol, the Park hotel and of many pri-
vate and public buildings of Madison, was done under his direction.
By industry and thrift he won a competency sufficient to allow him
to retire from active life in 1890. He was an active and influential
member of the Free and Accepted Masons and the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows and like so many of his countrymen was a communi-
cant of the Presbyterian church. His political affiliations were with

644 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

the Republican party and die was twice elected to the board of super-
visors as a representative of that party. In 1861 Mr. Murray was
united in marriage to Miss Mary Henry, also a native of Moffat, who
crossed the ocean to' become 'his bride. ( )n January 17, 1899, after
an illness of eight or nine months, Mr. Murray died leaving
besides the widow two sons and two daughters. — Anna, the
wife of Colin R. Davidson of Chicago; William H., who married Mar-
garet W. Long of Virginia City, New, and is now chief operator of
the Western Union Telegraph company in Madison ; Mar}', who mar-
ried James McCurrach of Chicago and John D. of Los Angeles, Cal.
All the children were born and educated in the capital city. Mrs.
Murray still occupies the home at 713 State street. She has seen
many changes in Madison since her arrival after' a stormy passage
across the sea more than forty years ago. She was but eighteen
when she made the trip, which threatened to end in shipwreck, and al-
though she is the only member of her immediate family who immi-
grated, she is as loyal to Madison and interests as are her children.

T. Gibbs Murray, junior member of the firm of Burdick & Mur-
ray Co., is a native of Minnesota, where he first saw the light of
day in Wright county, on December 29, 1868. His father was
Robert Murray, a native of Prince Edward's Island. He had been
educated for the ministry, but in 1864 left college and enlisted in
the Union army. He saw some service in the south and then was
sent west and was engaged in the Indian service. After his dis-
charge from the army he completed his college course, but his
health had been so impaired by the exposures and hardships of
army life that it was impossible for him to enter the active work
of the ministry, so he removed to Minnesota and followed agricul-
tural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1872, when he
was but twenty-nine years old. Robert Murray's wife was
Martha A., a daughter of Seth and Mary (Brown) Gibbs. She
was born September 14, 1847, and is still living, making her home
with her only other child, Fred, a merchant of Clearwater, Minn.
Seth Gibbs was one of the early settlers of the Gopher state, arriv-
ing there in 1848. He had been a merchant in the east, but went
into the lumber business in his new home. T. Gibbs Murray, the
subject of this sketch, received his education in the graded schools
of Clearwater, Minn. His first employment was as a clerk in the
store of G. R. Shirley in Clearwater and in this position he passed
four years. At the end of that time he came to Madison, arriving
here on February 16, 1887, and went to work for an uncle, S. B. W.
Brown, in a wholesale notion store. After four years there he

BIOGRAPHICAL. 645

accepted a position as bookkeeper for R. B. Ogilvie, and at the
end of three and a half years formed a partnership with H. N.
Antisdel, the firm name being H. X. Antisdel & Company.
Eighteen months later A. L. Burdick purchased Mr. AntisdeFs in-
terest and the firm became Murray & Burdick. The firm became
established in its present place of business about two and a half
years after its organization. On October 10, 1891, Mr. Murray
married Hannah, daughter of Theodore and Marie (Siggelko)
Herfurth, of Madison. Mr. Herfurth was engaged in the fire
insurance business at the time of his death, which occurred Octo-
ber 28-, 1903, and had served as city assessor. Mr. Murray is a
Royal Archmason, of which order he has served as steward, and
is at present a member and regent of the Royal Arcanum.

I. J. Naset, son of Johann Jensen, the first representative of the
pioneer Xaset family, in Christiania, Dane county, came with his fam-
ily from Bargenstadt. Norway,- in 1845. He obtained one hundred
sixty acres of farm land in the township, to which more was added
from time to time. On a part of this property Ingebrigt Naset now
resides. Johann married Ella Fios in Norway and six children were
born to them ; George. Gunila, who married H. L. Lien of Christiania,
and Marv are deceased ; Jens J. resides in Stoughton ; I. J., the subject
of this sketch lives upon the old homestead and Johann is a retired
farmer of Bloomer, Wis. Ingebright J. was born in Norway, Decem-
ber 31, 1833, was twelve years of age when he came with his parents
to Wisconsin and found little opportunity for schooling in the new
home, as the combined efforts of father and sons were necessary to
clear the new farm and build a home. For a number of years he was
engaged in threshing and for many years has carried on a general
farming business on his share of the old homestead. He has a farm
of one hundred sixty acres on which he lias made all the improve-
ments and has also done carpentering and mason work in the neigh-
borhood. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and
has been instrumental in building three different churches in the
vicinity. Mr. Naset is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party
and has held a number of local offices. In 1855. he married Miss
Sarah Ann Larson, a native of Norway and, after her death. Miss
Mary Johnson of Yardahl, Norway, became his wife. Eight chil-
dren blessed the first marriage and seven the second^ but four
of whom are living. Lars resides at Robindale, Minn.: Gustave lives
in Janesville, Wis. : Otto is a farmer in the town of Christiania ; Jo-
sephine is the widow of Ole Peterson of Christiania.

646 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Rev. John M. Naughtin, pastor of St. Raphael's Roman Catholic
church of Madison, was born in Zanesville, Ohjo, June 24. 1854,
and came to Wisconsin with his parents the following year. They
settled in Madison, and he thus became for a time a member of St.
Raphael's parish, of which he afterward became the efficient
spiritual head. In 1857 the family removed to Juneau county,
and there his boyhood was passed and the first thought of his
young manhood turned toward commercial work. When he later
decided to enter the religious vocation he found the necessary edu-
cation and intellectual and spiritual equipment for his work at St.
Bonaventure's Seminary of Allegany, New York. He was or-
dained in June, 1882, and after two years spent as a teacher in Pio
Nono college, near Milwaukee, he was sent to St. John's Cathedral,
Milwaukee, as assistant. He remained there until the autumn of
1892, at which time Archbishop Katzer appointed him to establish
a new parish in the southwestern part of Milwaukee. He entered
upon this work with characteristic method and zeal and success-
fully established it during his three years residence. November
14, 1895, he was appointed rector of St. Raphael's church of Madi-
son and entered upon his duties there on December 1st, of the same
year, a position which he has faithfully filled up to the present
time. These eleven years of marked success have demonstrated the
wisdom of the appointment, as the church has prospered greatly
under his administration. St. Raphael's church was organized in
1848 and the present building was begun in 1854 and has been in
use since 1862. It has a membership of two thousand three hun-
dred, and has in connection with its organization the following
societies : the Young Ladies' Sodality, the Knights of Columbus,
the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin, the Catholic Order of For-
esters, the Woman's Catholic Order of Foresters, the League of
the Sacred Heart and the St. Raphael's choir. Of these Father
Naughtin is the spiritual head and his connection is not merely
nominal ; he takes the most active interest in all matters concern-
ing his charge, whether near or remote. A man having in charge
the spiritual direction of so large a congregation might easily find
himself excused from participation in the larger affairs that per-
tain to the well-being of the whole community, but Father Naugh-
tin has never shielded himself from municipal and secular duties
and responsibilities on account of his pastoral work. On the con-
trary there are few enterprises which concern the betterment of
general conditions in which he is not interested and to which he
has not lent aid and sympathy. He is a member of the board

BIOGRAPHICAL. 647

of the public library, of the city hospital board, of the Madison
Park and Pleasure-drive association and of many other of the city
enterprises and associations, and is one of the men frequently
called upon on occasions of public demonstration, as at the citizens'
meeting held on the day of President McKinley's funeral. While
his kindly spirit and personal interest have endeared him to the
members of his own church and congregation, his scholarly at-
tainments have won him a place in the intellectual life of the city
and his liberality and public spirit gives him a position in the pub-
lic regard that is not bounded by church or personal limitations.

Charles Neath, who is one of the prosperous farmers of the town
of Rutland, is a fine example of the self-made man, and his life is an
illustration of the opportunities that America affords for the industri-
ous and persevering youth. Mr. Xeath was bom in Somersetshire,
England, and was one of a family of ten children, born to Reuben and
Caroline (Criddle) Xeath, the parents having spent their lives and
died in their native country. Charles Xeath made the journey alone
from England to America, in 1880, and Dane county, (Wis., was the
terminus of his iong journey. He secured work as a farm hand and
continued so employed for about eight years, by which time he was
able, as the result of the strictest economy and industrious habits, to
purchase a small larm comprising thirty-two acres in the town of Rut-
land. When he arrived in Dane county, in 1880, his financial stand-
ing was represented by a fifty-cent piece, which had been given to him
by a gentleman in Milwaukee. Mr. Xeath carried this coin in his
pocket as a mascot for three years, and it still remains as one of his
most highly prized possessions. On March 20, 1892, he was married
to Miss Hattie Osborne, daughter of Andrew B. and Delene Osborne,
worthy citizens oi the town of Rutland, and Mrs. Xeath is one of
seven children born to these parents. Six of the children are living,
of whom one resides in Iowa, one in Dayton, Wis., and the other four
are residents of Dane county. Mr. and Mts. Xeath resided on the
small farm spoken of above until 1905, when th-:\ sold it and bought
eighty acres of the Osborne homestead, which had been the home of
Mrs. Xeath's parents, and have since resided thereon. Many im-
provements have been made on the farm, in the way of residence.
barn, etc., and Mr. Neath is as completely equipped for the business
of general farming as could be desired. He is certainly a self-made
man in the truest sense of the term, and his present prosperous condi-
tion represents a remarkable triumph over discouraging obstacles. He
never attended school a day and his success has been due entirely to
his natural ability and his personal efforts, aided in no small measure

648 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

by the encouraging" words and wise counsel of a dutiful wife. Al-
though handicapped by the lack of an education, Mr. Neath is con-
ceded to be well-posted and in possession of a high order of intelli-
gence. Besides himself, two of his brothers also* sought homes in
America — Albert and Robert — and the}- both reside in the town of
Rutland. Air. and Mrs. Neath have one child, 3 daughter named
Myrtle Delene, who was born January i, 1901. Mr. Neath is a Re-
publican in his political affiliations, and he and his wife are members
of the Baptist church.

John C. Neill, one of the leading business men of Waunakee, has
interests outside of that village, as he is one of the members of the
Caldwell & Neill Co., of Lodi, Dane and Waunakee. He was born in
Caledonia, Columbia county, April 19, 1873, DUt is of Scotch ancestry.
.His father, John Neill, was born at Perthshire Down, Scotland, and
the mother, Martha (Caldowj Neill, at Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. They
were married in Caledonia, Columbia county, Wis., June 1, 1870,
but- received their education in their native land. J. Niell, Sr., came
to New York in 1855 and after a residence there of about two years
removed to Cadedonia township, Columbia county; in 1875 he located
in Arlington township, and in 1893 retired from business and settled
in Lodi where he lives at present. He owned a large farm of three
hundred and twenty acres and is considered one of the wealthy men
of the county, having accumulated his fortune by his own industry
and business ability. In politics he is a Republican and both he and
his wife are members of the united Presbyterian church. Their four
children are John C; William K.; Henry H.; Margaret E. The pa-
ternal grandfather of John C. Neill was John Neill, a native of Scot-
land who came to New York in the early fifties and to Caledonia in
1856, where he died in 1880. He was a blacksmith by trade, and also
a farmer ; he owned about six hundred acres of land. His wife, Mar-
geret ( Moreland) Neill was born in Scotland; she died in Dekorra,
Coumbia county, October 17, 1900, about ninety years of age. The
maternal grandfather, William Caldow. was a Scotch-man, and came
to Dane and located in Vienna township; later he went to Caledonia,
but died in Arlington. He bought his first land of Jas. McClay, of
Madison. The subject of this sketch was educated first in the com-
mon school of the village and the district school of Arlington. He
prepared himself for active participation in commercial affairs by a
supplementary training at the Northwestern Business college of Madi-
son. His first occupation was that of a farmer and stock-raiser, but
in 1807 he turned his attention to mercantile pursuits and engaged
in a wholesale and retail business covering flour, feed, seeds, hay,

BIOGRAPHICAL. 649

straw, grain, coal, and live-stock. He is a Republican but does not
enter largely into the field of practical politics as regards office-hold-
ing. He and his family are connected with the Presbyterian church.
He was married October 19, 1900, to Miss Anna Hyslop, born in
Dane. May 7, 1874, daughter of Robert and Martha (Anderson)
Hyslop, who were both born in Scotland, he in 1829 and she in 1837, .
and married there. About 1855 they came to Dane where he died
in February, 1901. His widow now lives at Lavalle. Sauk county.
They had a family of ten children and nine are living.

William Kenneth Neill, of Dane, was born at Arlington, Colum-
bia county, June 1, 1879. He is the son of John Neill, mentioned in
this work. He attended first the common school in the town of
Arlington, then the high school of Poynette, and was graduated
from the Xorthwestern Business college of Madison. After leav-
ing school he worked in the grain business at Lodi. for Caldwell &
Neill, for two years, and then became a partner in the business,
known as Caldwell & Neill Co.. located at Lodi, Dane and Wauna-
kee. Mr. Neill has charge of the business at Dane, where he re-
sides, and is an active participant in the life of the village, having
been a member of the board of trustees for two years. He and
his wife are interested in the religious affairs of the community
as members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a Republi-
can in his politics. He was married, October 29. 1903 to Miss
Nellie May Folsom. born in Dane, October 29, 1882, daughter of
William H. and Ella (Worthing) Folsom. Mr. Folsom is a na-
tive of Gilford, N. H., and his wife of Roxbury. Wis. Mrs. Neill's
grandfather, Samuel F. Worthing, was born in Bristol, N. H., in
1822, and his wife. Belinda (Sleeper) Worthing, in the same town,
in 1824. They now make their home in West Point, Columbia
county of this state. Although Mr. Xeill is a young man, he is
very successful in his business enterprises and beside other prop-
erty, owns a fine home in the village of Dane, in which there are
two children, both sons ; William Folsom Neill, born December 23,
1904 and John Henry, born May 3, 190(3.

Alexander Nelson, a retired farmer of the village of Deerfield,
was born at Voss, Norway, March 14. 1830. Fie was a son of Nels
and Chiste (Fladequal) Nelson, natives of the same locality. Alex-
ander had a limited education in the public schools of Norway. At
the age of twenty he came to America, locating in Chicago first.
There he worked for the city a couple of years. In 1853 he secured a
job as carpenter on the Panama railroad and went to the Isthmus.
Upon arriving there those in authority claimed there was no timber

650 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

on hand for the carpenter work, and the carpenters were told to go to
work shoveling gravel at $1.50 per day, whereas they were hired as
carpenters for $2.50 per day. He refused to do this and determined
to make his way across the Isthmus on foot notwithstanding the many
dangers. After a walk of over fifty miles he reached old Panama
city, on the Pacific, hungry and tired, without a cent of money in his
pockets. He applied for work on that end of the railroad and had to
work a day to show that he was a carpenter. After three weeks he
was taken with the fever, and upon his discharge from the hospital he
again found himiself without money or food. A ship about to sad for
San Francisco was short of hands and Alexander was given a passage
for which he had to work aboard vessel. For eight years after his ar-
rival in Californ'.a he worked in the gold mines, and then concluding
that the old country was better than the new he started for Norway.
While in California he worked in the: gold fields for himself, and he
met with fair success. He made enough in inning to buy his present
farm. He suffered all the privations incidental to the gold fields of
California of that time, but kept his health', and now looks back on
those days with interest and pleasure. In 1858 he went to British Co-
lumbia to the Frazer River where he spent about four months — but
that venture was a failure on account of the high prices thev had to
pay for everything, flour, for instance, selling at $25 a sack, and
everything in proportion. About Chrstmas time the cold drove them
back to California. On the voyage down the river their sailing vessel
sprang a leak. They made shore, but almost froze to death. When
he got across the continent as far as what is now Deerfield he became
infatuated with the lady later to become his wife and decided to settle
down. He accordingly bought one hundred and sixty acres of land,
on part of which the village of Deerfield now stands. After farming
for twenty-two years he retired, and has since :ented It's farm on
shares. Mr. Nelson, about 1882, erected four frame stores and a
bank building in Deerfield, which was destroyed by fire in 1896.
He then built two brick store buildings and the bank building.
He was one of the organizers of the bank of Deerfield, of which he
was a part owner. This bank was succeeded by Fargo & Co. private
bankers. He erected his present handsome residence in 1900. His
political affiliations are with the Republican party, and although he
has been urged many times to become a candidate, he has always re-
fused to run for office. In 1862 he married Anna, daughter of Nels
and Rhode (Setrel) Nelson, and to th's marriage twelve children have
been born — Christene, Edd'e. Rhode, married Peter Fjeld, Nels,
Willie, Emma, Martha, Andrew, Albert and Bennie. Mr. Nelson is

BIOGRAPHICAL. 651

a member of the Pioneers of Wisconsin. He is the type of man who
will overcomls almost any obstacle to bring- about his Betterment and
that of the community. He is much respected in the community
where he resides.

Charles D. Nelson, chief deputy in the fish and game department
of the state, was born in Algoma. Wis., September 23, 1873. He
is the youngest of three children of William (). and Lizzie (Mc-
Donald) Nelson, both natives of the Badger state The other two
children are Mae, the wife of F. E. Verden of Chicago, the owner
and manager of one of the largest business colleges in the United
States, having an enrollment of seventeen hundred ; and William O.,
who conducts a marble and granite concern at Rice Lake, Wis.
The father was a pier foreman at Algoma. At the breaking out
of the Civil War he enlisted in Company I, Fourteenth Wisconsin
Infantry, and his service continued throughout the wrar, although
toward the close of it he was made captain of a company in the
Forty-seventh Louisiana colored regiment. At the cessation of
hostilities he returned to his position as dock foreman and held it
until his death in 1878. His wife passed away the same month and
year. Upon the death of his parents Charles D. Nelson was
adopted by the Hon. De W'ayne Stebbins. for some years state
senator, and William O. Nelson's former employer. Senator Steb-
bins died in 1901 at the age of sixty-six. He was a candidate for
the Republican nomination for governor when Hon. R. M. La Fol-
lette was named. He was a graduate of the United States naval
academy in the same class as Admiral Dewey. His widow is still
a resident of Algoma. Mr. Nelson received his preparatory edu-
cation in the Algoma common and high schoois and then took a
course in a Chicago business college, graduating in 1892. Since
that time he has been continuously employed by the state or na-
tional government. His first work was on the harbor improve-
ments remaining in this position for five year^. In 1897 he was
appointed deputy game warden, since which time he has made
Madison his home. That his work in the department has been
eminently satisfactory is evidenced by his continuance in office
through the successive changes of administration. On June 12,
1894 Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Elsie Acker, a na-
tive of Algoma, and a daughter of John and Sarah Acker, both
present residents of Algoma, where the father is a lumberman.
Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have one child, De Wayne. They are both
communicants of the Protestant Episcopal church. The father is

652 • HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

a member of the Free and Accepted Masons., and of the Knights
of Pythias. He is a man much esteemed.

Cornelius Nelson is a successful farmer of Christiania and son
of one of its pioneers. In 18-14 his parents, Nels C. and Ann
Christina Nelson, came from Conksburg, Norway, to Wisconsin.
Nels Nelson was a carpenter in Norway but when he arrived in
Christiania he purchased an eighty-acre farm which he proceeded
to clear and improve. He lived until 1876 and his wife until 1896.
They were loyal members of the First Lutheran church. Twelve
children were born to them, of whom nine are living. Andrew is
a farmer in Barker county, Minn. ; Sophia is Mrs. Allen Allenson
of Edgerton ; Mongnous resides at Beloit, Wis. ; Christian is a
blacksmith at Spring Grove, Minn. ; Cornelius is the subject of this
sketch; Caroline is Mrs. Guilder Rareson of Otter Tail county.
Minn. ; Catharine married Even Onscord ; Josephine is Mrs. Sam-
uel Peterson, of Edgerton ; O. M. is a farmer in Albion. Cornelius
was born at the old home in section 34, Christiania, October 1.
1851, attended the home schools and purchased the old homestead
in 1886, where he has ever since carried on a general farming busi-
ness. The farm consists of one hundred and twenty acres and upon
it Mr. Nelson raises considerable fine stock as well as grain, hay,
etc. October 26, 1887, he married Miss Carrie Anderson, a native
of Hademarken, Norway, daughter of Andrew and Anna Olson.
Four children blessed the marriage ; Alfred Nordahl. Clara Amanda,
Clarence Otto and Henry Cornelius. All the children attended
the home schools, and Clara the Edgerton school. The family at-
tend the east Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Nelson is a Re-
publican in his political sympathies but does not take an active
part in political matters.

George Nelson, the well known and prosperous cement con-
tractor of Madison, was born near Odense, Denmark, September
29, 1867. He is a son of Peter and Bertha Catherine Nelson. His
education was received in the common schools of his native land
and in 1886 he came to America. Chicago was his first home and
for thirteen years he labored there as a cement workman. In 1899
he came to Madison and entered the employment of Nicholas Quinn,
his first work being the laying of the curb and gutter between the
capitol grounds and the lake on Wisconsin avenue. After a year
he started in business for himself. The cement curbing on West
Washington avenue between Carroll street and the West Madison
depot was one of his first contracts. Since that time his business
has grown so extensively that he does work in sixteen other towns

BIOGRAPHICAL. 653

and cities in the state, mostly to the west of Madison. He employs
between one hundred and one hundred and seventy-five men.
His biggest contract, a real test of the efficiency of his work, was
the building of the bridge across the Eau Claire river at Eau Claire.
It has been pronounced one of the finest pieces of work east of the
Rocky Mountains. The bridge, two hundred and forty feet long,
each span being eighty feet, is the continuation of the main
street of the city and the car line passes over it. Another piece
of Mr. Nelson's handiwork is the Williamson street bridge over
the Yahara river in Madison. On January 14, 1903 Mr. Nelson
was united in marriage to Miss Anna Hansen, also a native of
Denmark. They have one child, Russell Arthur. Mr. Nelson is
highly regarded by the whole community.

Jacob Nelson is another of the worthy citizens of the town of
Oregon, whose successful career is an illustration of what indus-
try and determination can do in the way of overcoming obstacles.
He was born on the island of Langeland, which is a part of Den-
mark, September 22, 1845. and is the only son of Nels Peterson and
Cam Christianson, both of whom were also born in Denmark and
spent their lives there. The father was a soldier in the Danish
army during the war with Germany in 1848 to 1850. Jacob Nelson
was reared to manhood in his native country and received his edu-
cation in the public schools. At the age of twenty years he turned
his face toward the land of opportunities, and coming directly to
Dane county worked as a farm hand during the first six years of
his residence in America. Upon his arrival he was not able to
speak a word of the English language, and this handicap with
others made his progress slow for a time. But in 1871 he married
and purchased forty acres of land in the town of Dunkirk, where he
commenced his independent career as a farmer, and success has
attended his every effort since. He resided on the Dunkirk farm
about four years and then sold it and moved to Rutland, where he
lived on a rented place for three years, and then moved to Green
county, Wis. Four years later he returned to Dane county and
purchased the sixty acres of land in the town of Oregon, where he
has since resided, and where he has met with a flattering degree of
success as a farmer. He has made all the improvements thereon,
which are now so noticeable to the passer-by, and the old log house
in which he first resided has long since been superseded by a com-
modious and modern structure. When Mr. Nelson first began
farming in Dane county he cut all of his grain with the old-fash-
ioned cradle and thrashed it with a one-horse machine ; but this has

654 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

all been changed by the wonderful progress of the last quarter-
century, due in no small measure to the enterprise and industry of
such men as the subject of this review. Being remarkably well
preserved, despite the many years of strenuous toil, it is hoped and
reasonably expected that he will live long to enjoy the fruits of his
labors. One sister, Christina, is his only living relative other than
the members of his immediate family, and she resides in Denmark.
Air. Nelson was married in February, 1871, to Miss Carolina Saren-
son, born February 10, 1853, whose parents, Saren Christian Peter-
son and wife, Christina, are both deceased, the mother dying when
the daughter was an infant, and the father died in America. To
Air. and Airs. Nelson there have been born five children, two of
whom died in infancy. Of the others, Carl married Carolina Peter-
son, a native of Denmark, and resides near his parents ; Emery
married Sena Peterson, sister of his brother's wife ; and Louis, who
is not married, remains at the parental home. Air. Nelson is a Re-
publican in his political affiliations, was supervisor of the town ot
Oregon one term, and has been school director for several years.
In his religious faith he adheres to the Danish Lutheran church,
and was baptised and confirmed in Denmark before his migration
to America.

John Mandt Nelson. — In the affairs of state, as taken aside from
the extraordinary conditions of warfare, there are demanded men
whose mental ken is as wide and whose generalship is as effective
as those which insure successful manoeuvering of armed forces by
the skilled commander on the field of battle. The nation's welfare
and prosperity may be said to hinge as heavily upon individual
discrimination and executive ability in the one case as the other.
It requires a master mind to marshal and organize the forces for
political purposes and produce the best results by concerted effort.
Among the leaders of the Republican cohorts in Wisconsin is num-
bered Air. Nelson, who is one of the able and successful members
of the bar of Dane county, engaged in the practice of his profession
in Madison. The following review of his career, save for slight
paraphrase, appeared in a recent issue of the Milwaukee Free
Press, in connection with special reference to his candidacy for
nomination for congress in the autumn of 1906: "Air. Nelson is
well known throughout the district and has been an active sup-
porter of Governor La Follette's policies and the movement for
good government in Wisconsin. He is a man of strong convictions
and undouted courage. He was born in the township of Burke,
Dane county, this state. October 10, 1870, being a representative of

BIOGRAPHICAL. 655

one of the sterling pioneer families of the county. He attended
the common schools and the Northwestern Business College, en-
tering the University of Wisconsin in 1888. He was graduated in
the modern classical course with the class of 1892, receiving the
degree of Bachelor of Arts. In the fall of the same year he was
elected county superintendent of schools for Dane county, and was
re-elected in 1893. He entered the college of law of the state uni-
versity the following year and finished the course in 1896, being
duly admitted to the bar. He soon afterward became part owner of
the newspaper known as the Old Dane and later as the State, of
Madison, and was for two years its editor. In 1901 Mr. Nelson en-
tered the University as a post-graduate and there he specialized
for three years, mainly in political science and the government of
cities, making a total of ten years of college training. He was
chosen a member of the University alumni executive committee in
1903, and was elected corresponding secretary of the committee the
following year. His political training began as secretary of the
University of Wisconsin Republican Club, in 1888, and as president
of the club a year later. He has for fifteen _years been Governor
La Follette's chief lieutenant in Dane count}', and in his man-
agement of campaigns in which every inch of ground was contested
he has shown great executive ability and capacity for organization.
His political activity was not enlisted to further the ambitions of
one man nor for his own benefit, but to promote the cause of good
government. He has been a delegate to nearly all state and con-
.gressional conventions for the past twelve years. He was chair-
man of Congressman Dahle's campaign committee, was a member
of the Republican state central committee with Chairman Bryant
and is now a member of the executive committee, with Chairman
Connor. For three years he was bookkeeper in the department of
state, and for four years he was correspondent in the treasury de-
partment, acquainting himself fully with the business of the state.
He was urged by Governor La Follette to accept the office of ex-
ecutive clerk, but he declined. He was importuned to become a
candidate for state senator, but he would not accept the overtures.
Governor Davidson offered him the position of private secretary,
but Mr. Nelson declined. Mr. Nelson has been a member of the
state bar for ten years and for the past three years has been act-
ively engaged in practice. He is a stockholder in the Wisconsin
Securitv Land Company, a large Wisconsin and North Dakota
corporation, and is also vice-president of the Stondall Land & In-
vestment Company, operating successfully in "Wisconsin. North

656 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Dakota and Canada. In 1891 Mr. Nelson married Miss Johanna
Stondall, a sister of Senator A. M. Stondall. Six children have
been born of this union. He owns an attractive new home near
the Universty."

Lars L. Nelson is another of those noble sons of Norwegian de-
scent who have contributed so much to the material advancement and
prosperity of Dane county. He was born in the town of Deerfkld on
June 24, 1846, and his parents were Lars and Karie (Ellif) Nelson
Vale ; the former was born in Norway in 1803. and the latter
was a native of the same country and was born in 1814. These par-
ents were married in their native land, and migrated to America in
1844. Arriving at Chicago, they made the trip from that city to the
town of Deerfieldi Dane county, with an ox tea:::, and immediately
bought forty acres of government land and began farming in a gen-
eral way, in so far as it was practicable in those days. The father
added to this farm from time to time until he had a grand total of
four hundred and forty acres in the estate. He later sold forty acres
of this and divided the remaining four hundred acres between his two
sons giving each twt>i hundred acres., He was a highly respected cit-
izen, generous in the extreme, and was always ready to assist move-
ments of a public nature or contribute to the relief of the poor and
needy. His death occurred, February 9, 1874, and his good wife
survived until July 8, 1892, when she died at the residence of her son.
Joseph L.Nelson, on the old homestead. Lars L. Nelson, to whom
this review is specially dedicated, received his education in district
school, No. 1, of Deorfield, and the date of his father's death was
practically the beginning of his independent career. He made his
home with his brother until 1887*. when he was married and moved to
the place where he now resides. Living now in the midst of all the
latter-day improvements he easily recalls to memory the time when he
assisted his father with an ox team to till the virgin soil. Of the five
children bom to his parents Mr. Nelson is now the only survivor, his
brother, Joseph L-, who is spoken of in this review, died in the fall of
1903. Mr. Nelson was married, in September, 1887, to Miss Matilda
Olson, who was born October 8, 1867, the daughter of Mathea Olson,
who was born in Norway, and lived in Deerfield, and then moved to
the farm of Joseph L. Nelson. To Mr. and Mrs. Nelson there have
been born the following children; Caroline, born September 16, 1888;
Lewis, born February 7, 1890; Martin, born July 20, 1891 ; Anton
Olene, born October 10, 1892, died November 17, 1894; Delia Olene.
born December n, 1895, and Sanford Olene, born May 12, 1898.
When the parents of Mjr. Nelson first came to Deerfield they had to
go a mile for drinking water.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 657

Halvor A. Nestestu (deceased), was born at Venge, Telemarken,
Norway, September 2j, 1838, and died in the town of Cottage Grove,
Dane county, June 1, 1905. He was a son of Osmon Oslakson and
Ingeborg Burensdaughter, who camie to this country in 1843. They
settled first in Milwaukee, but after a short time there, came to the
town of Cottage Grove, where they bought a farm from the govern-
ment. This farm is now the property of Airs. Xestestu, the widow of
the subject of this sketch. Halvor lived with his parents until he
was about thirty years of age, when he married and bought the farm
from his father, though his parents continued to live on the old home-
stead until their death. Shortly after his marriage he went into the
drug business in [Marshall, but a year later, at the request of his par-
ents, he sold out and returned to the farm where he passed the rest of
his life. After his death the widow removed to the village of Deer-
field, where she expects to spend the remainder of her days. Mr.
Nestcstu was a man of great determination and when once undertak-
ing any thing was not easily discouraged. Mr. Xestestu, Senior, pos-
sessed marked ability and ingenuity. His widow has a number of
peices of silverware, made and engraved by him, which will compare
favorably with articles of a similar character seen in first class jewelry
stores. Of 'his four brothers and sisters none are now living. One of
the brothers was the father of state Senator Albert M. Stondall. To
the union of Halvor A. Xestestu and wife four children were born,
one dying in infancy. The living are; Mary, married Iver Xotsetter,
now lives near Cottage Grove; Henry, on the homestead farm;
Hanna, in the millinery business in Deerfield.

Charles W. Netherwood, who has been president of the village
of Oregon continuously since 1885, excepting three years, and who
has also filled the position of postmaster at that place, is a prominent
Republican and a highly respected citizen of Dane county, and* was
born at YVatervliet, X. Y., on January 14.1 1843. He is the son of
Joseph Xetherwood, who was born at Huddersfield, England, in Feb-
ruary, 1817, where he grew up to the trade of a woolen manufacturer,,
becoming proficient in all its branches. He married Emma Barra-
clough, who was born in the place of his nativity and who was his
traveling companion when he crossed the ocean in 1842. and settled
near Albany, X. Y. Employment was found by him in various mills
along the Hudson, but chiefly at Troy. His skill was frequently
called into action to get new mills into operation, there being but few
of them when he first arrived. The great west attracted him, and
taking his family he proceeded by way of the lakes to Detroit, thence
by rail to Chicago and to Footville, Wis., and to Dane county by team.
42— iii

658 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Here he bought eighty acres in the north half of the northwest quar-
ter of section 34, in the town of Oregon, adding forty acres adjoining,
later. By industry he improved it into one of the finest farms in the
County and sold it at a good price in 1883, when he removed to the
village of Oregon, at which place he died April 16, 1894. His worthy
and beloved helpmate died in 1885, aged sixty-nine vears. Coming to
the United States a very poor man, by hard work he amassed a com-
petency. He was mlade a citizen at Troy, N. Y., and at once allied
himself with the Whig party, being loyal to it as long as that party had
had an existence, transferring his allegiance to the Republican
party at the birth of the latter. In no sense a seeker after public
office, he had, none the less, an active interest in the party's suc-
cess, doing all in his power to achieve that end. Just as earnest
was he in his Christian life and work, being a consistent member
of the Methodist Episcopal church. Six children came to bless his
home, viz. : Edwin, a resident of Denver, Col. ; Eliza, wife of J. H.
Martin, of Chicago; Emma, a long-time teacher in Dane county;
Ada, wife of J. H. Richards, of Brooklyn; Charles W., who is the
subject of this review, and two others who died in infancy. Our sub-
ject attended such parish schools as the country afforded in his
youth, until he was ten years old. and then went into a factory,
subsequently attending one term in a parish school ; and this is all
the education he received in the state of New York. After com-
ing west he managed to go to school in the intervals of farm work.
He was moved by patriotism and enlisted as a private in Company
E, Twenty-third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, the date of his
enlistment being August 5, 1862. His regiment went from Camp
Randall to Cincinnati, to protect that city from the threatened at-
tack of Kirby Smith ; saw service in Kentucky ; joined Sherman at
Memphis and was attached to Gen. A. J. Smith's division of the
Thirteenth Army Corps and made a great march on Christmas
day, 1862. His regiment wintered at Young's Point, where dis-
ease made great ravages, only two hundred and fifty of the entire
regiment being able to carry muskets, the remainder being ill or
wounded. Breaking camp in the spring of 1863 the regiment
went to Vicksburg, taking part in that memorable campaign and
participating in all the battles, including Champion's Hill. In
that fight Mr. Netherwood was picked up for dead, after being
struck by a piece of iron fired from a cannon. The commander of
the battery informed him after the war that he had loaded his
guns with bits of a locomotive, broken up for the purpose. He
did not, however, go to the hospital, and was present at the battle

BIOGRAPHICAL. 659

of Black River Bridge, although not able to fight. Misfortunes
do not come singly. On May 22 he was twice wounded with gun-
shots, one in the lower jaw and the other in the shoulder; was
taken to the field hospital, and on June 4 was sent to Memphis,
where a portion of the lower jaw was removed, and he was sent
home on a furlough in September. A surgeon at Memphis told him
he could never do service again ; but after reaching home a surgeon
from Camp Randall ordered him to the front. He was not per-
mitted to remain long, however, the surgeons in active work soon
procuring his discharge, and he was mustered out with the rank
of corporal on November 21, 1863. After the war he attended a
commercial college at Madison ; then was clerk in a store at
Edgerton one year ; later tried farming unsuccessfully, not having
the necessary physical strength, and he returned to clerking, at
Oregon. An attempt at broom-making was a failure, his poor
health and disabled arm preventing his success, after which he
went south and obtained a position as second clerk on a steamer;
but being unable to perform the duties of that position, on ac-
count of physical disability, he was compelled to resign and re-
turn home, when he was commissioned postmaster at Oregon, a
position he held continuously from 1869 to 1894. with the excep-
tion of about nine months in the latter 'part of the first administra-
tion of Cleveland. Our subject has been twice married : first to
Eva Bedford, in 1866, she being the daughter of William and
Edna E. Bedford, and was bom December 25. 1846, dying at Or-
egon, Wis., October 28, 1867, childless. His second wife was
Mrs. Lucy H. Gilbert, daughter of Mordecai and Lucy P. Sayles,
the ceremony occurring in 1868. Mrs. Lucy H. Netherwood was
born January 29, 1841, and the name of her first husband was
Thomas Gilbert. To her and Mr. Netherwood have been born
six children, namely: Harry, born October 18, 1870, a bookkeeper
in the Madison Democrat office ; Eva, Lucy, Pearl, Bertha and
Perry. Mrs. Netherwood has by her first marriage one child,
Ada. the wife of A. U. Marvin, of Nekoosa, Wis. The political
faith of our subject is strongly Republican, and he has been prom-
inent in public affairs for forty years; was town treasurer four
terms ; and was supervisor of the village on the county board for
over twenty years. In the Masonic order he belongs to the
Blue Lodge, the Royal Arch Chapter, and the Madison Com-
mandery, having been master of the first for a long time ; and the
G. A. R., being present commander of O. E. Rice post. No. 121.

660 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

James Nevin, superintendent of fisheries, who makes his home
at 12 North Broom street, is a native of Canada. His birthplace
was Newcastle, Ontario, and the date June 4, 1854. His parents.
Joseph and Mary Ellen (Wilson) Nevin, were natives of the
County of Antrim, Ireland, who emigrated to Canada. The father
is still a resident of Essex county, Ontario, eighty-two years of
age. The mother died February 17, 1905. Both the parents were
members of the Presbyterian church. Of the seven living children
of a family of nine, James Nevin is the only one who ever came
to the United States. After he had received what education the
common schools of Newcastle afforded he was employed by the
Canadian government in its department of fisheries. In 1882 he
was offered the superintendency of the Wisconsin fisheries. He
came to the state, looked the ground over carefully and determined
to accept the position provided there were no politics about it. He
announced his decision to Gov. Jeremiah Rusk, and that individual,
with characteristic bluff ness, responded "You 'lend to business, or
we'll attend to you." The conditions were accepted and the strict-
ness with which Mr. Nevin has "tended to business" is evidenced
in his twenty-four years of continuous and efficient service. His
department alone has been kept clear of politics through all the
changes of administration. -On October 8, 1877, he, married Mary
Ellen, daughter of Michael Robinson and Isabelle (Olden) Nevin,
of Ontario. To this union have been born two children. — William
James, born August 16, 1878, died October 1, 1905 ; and Thomas
Wilmot, a graduate from the Madison high school and business
college, now employed in the Oshkosh hatchery. Both Mr. and
Mrs. Nevin are members of the Unitarian church. Mr. Nevin is
also a Knights Templar Mason and a member of the Benevolent
and Protective Order of Elks.

Isaac S. Newton, of Middleton is one of Dane county's early set-
tlers. He was born August 27, 1825, at Litchfield, Conn., the home
of his ancestors for generations. Ranson and Lucina (Woodard)
Xewton, his parents, were both born there in 1802, grew up and
married there and engaged in farming in the vicinity during their
entire lives. The mother lived to the age of ninety-nine years and
nine months, dying February 18, 1901 ; the father died at the age
of eighty-three. Ranson Newton's father was prominent in Con-
necticut politics and served in the state militia; his grandfather
was a sea captain of English origin, the hero of many a thrilling
wreck. He died at the age of eighty-eight. Ranson Newton and
his wife had two sons; Frederick, who came to Wisconsin, set-

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BIOGRAPHICAL. 661

tied in Vernon county in 1852, and served in the Civil War; and
Isaac, who. came to Dane county in 1850. Isaac Newton received
his early education at Litchfield and was married December 1,
1848. to Miss Emily Morse, daughter of Abram and Elizabeth
(Marsh) Morse, both of whom were of English descent and lived
in Connecticut. Mrs. Newton's grandfather, James Marsh, was born
on April 19, 1763, in England and died May 12, 1845 in Litchfield,
Conn. Her father, Abram Morse, first saw the light of day on
April 28, 1786, in Connecticut and died November 15, 1860, in
Iowa. After spending little more than a year in farming at
Litchfield. Mr. and Mrs. Newton determined to try their fortunes
in the west, where Mrs. Newton's parents had preceded them,-
and accordingly they came to Verona in 1850, took up eighty
acres of wild government land, which they cleared, and there
made their home for many years. Two children were born to
them, of whom the second, Eugene M. Newton, died in infancy.
Their first son, Daniel T. Newton, is the proprietor of the Home-
stead Farm at Bridgewater, S. D., and raises and deals in fine cat-
tle. He married first Cornelia Stephens, after whose death
Alice L. Chandler, whose home was near Bangor, Me., became
his wife. She died in 1885, leaving one daughter, Blanche. He
then married Dell M. Chandler, of New Bangor, and they have one
daughter, Helen Ruth, who makes her home with her father.
Daniel Newton graduated at the LTniversity of Wisconsin with
the class of 1872 and from the law school in 1873. He is a Repub-
lican and practiced law for six years in Freemont, Nebraska, and
then removed to South Dakota where he was elected to the state
legislature. In 1886 Isaac Newton left Verona for South Da-
kota but retained his farm at Verona. He obtained one hundred
and sixty acres of government land and made his home at
Bridgewater for seven years. Preferring to spend his declining
years near his old home he returned to Dane county in 1893 and
has since lived in Middleton. Mrs. Newton, who was born Feb-
ruary 23, 1830, died December 22, 1896. She was well known as
an exquisite worker in embroidery and hand painting and in the
latter art once received a first prize for work done without the aid
of a teacher. Mr. Newton has been a life-long farmer. He was
the first man to introduce Devon cattle into Dane county and has
taken many prizes for his stock at the Wisconsin state fair, of
which he is a life member. In politics he is a Democrat, but has
never desired public office, choosing to make lands and farming
his chief interest. Beside his home in Middleton and one hundred

662 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

and twenty-seven acres of fine farm land at Verona, he still owns
his original homestead farm in Hutchinson county. S. D.,

Thomas Nicholas, of Waunakee, was born in Hertfordshire, Eng-
land, Febuary 2, 1826. He was the only child of James and Catherine
(Jones) Nicholas, natives of England. His mother died the year of
his birth and his father six years later; he was reared by a brother of
his father, James Nicholas, and received his education in England,
coming to New York at the age of twenty-five, (1851). He was a
young man with his way to make in the world, and he followed the
the tide of immigration that was at that time setting toward the north-
west. He came to Vienna township, March 23, 1855. bought eighty
acres of land, improved it, added to it year by year, until at the pre-
sent time he owns a good property of two hundred and thirty-seven
acres. He is a Republican in his politics and his church affiliations
are with the Episcopal church, through his parents who belonged to
it. In 1860 he married Mary Eatwell, born in Berkshire, Eng.. 1832.
Her father died in that country, and her mother contracted a second
marriage, and later in life, came to this country, and made her home
with her daughter and husband, the subject of this sketch, until her
her death at the age of ninety-two. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas have had
have had seven children of whom only three are living, George, a
farmer of Dane township; Anna; Frank, a fanner, lives In Vienna
on the old homestead.

George Nidholls, an enterprising farmer of the town of Pleasant
Springs, was born in Oxfordsville, England, February 14, 1843.
He was the only child of Samuel and Caroline (Clark) Nicholls,
natives of Oxfordsville, England. Mrs. Samuel Nicholls died in
1852 and Mr. Nicholls married Phoebe Sparrow, who died in 1895,
They were both members of the Church of England. At the age
of sixteen George Nicholls came to America, landing in New York
after a stormy passage of eighty-three days. For nine years he
lived in Angola, Steuben county, Ind., and in 1868 came to Dane
county and located in Pleasant Springs. He "worked out" for a
time and then bought the place where he now lives, one hundred
and ten acres of valuable land on section 29, on the east shore of
Lake Kegonsa. When he purchased the property there was only
a log house on it and it was only partially cleared. Mr. Nicholls
has made all the improvements and now has one of the prettiest
homes in the county. He is a Republican in politics and as such
has served as school director. The faith of John Wesley is the
one he has chosen, and he worships in the Methodist Episcopal
church in Stoughton. On June 1, 1869, he married Josephine,

BIOGRAPHICAL. 663

daughter of George and Ann (Miller) Parish, natives of Oxford-
shire, England. Mr. Parish came to the United States in 1846
and located near Albany, N. Y. In 1843 he came to Rutland,
Dane county, and two years later moved to the town of Pleasant
Springs, where he resided until his death in September, 1895.
His wife still lives in Stoughton. Seven children were born to
Mr. and Mrs. Parish — Samuel J. living at Fort Atkinson, Wis.;
Josephine, wife of George Xicholls; Charles, a farmer near
Iowa City, la. ; Frederick, engaged in the real estate business in
Omaha, Xeb. ; Angenetta, living in Steuben county, Ind. ; Henri-
etta, living in Hutchinson, Kas. ; and Hattie, at Pleasant Springs,
this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Nicholls have been born ten chil-
dren, Edgar S., a farmer in the town of Pleasant Springs; Herbert,
a farmer, wdio married Rebecca Heinz; Mary T., at home;
Charles C, a farmer in Humbolt county, la.; Clark J., living in
Steuben county, la. ; Harry G., Wilmer P., Percy J., Bertha A.,
and Morris H., all at home. All the children have been educated
in the schools of the vicinity and have attended the Stoughton
schools.

Henry Harnden Noble, the well known and successful -fire insur-
acen agent of Madison, was born in Eau Claire. Eau Claire county,
Wis., January 26, 1873. He is a son of James Harney Xoble, a prac-
ticing physician of Eau Claire, and present state senator from his dis-
trict, and Jennie (Harnden) Xoble. The mother's father was Gen.
Henry Harnden, of whom individual mention is made in this volume.
In 1875 the subject of this sketch came to Madison with General
Harnden. H'.s preparatory education was received in the public
schools of the capital city, and after the completion of his courses in
the same he entered the fire-insurance business where he has been
successfully engaged ever since. For four years he managed the
A. H. Main & Son business in this capital city and later was special
agent under W. E. Main for Wisconsin and Minnesota of the Alliance
Insurance company of London and the Svea of ( >othenborg, Sweden.
In December. 1901, he purchased the old Major Mayers' insurance
agency, representing the Liverpool, London & Globe company. On
June 18, 1898, M|r. Xoble was united in marriage to Miss Luvia A.
Willott, a native of Illinois and a daughter of George E. and Mary A.
(Edgell) Willott. Mr. Willott has been a conductor on the Chicago
& Xorthwestern Railway for thirty-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Xoble
have one son, Henry Harnden, Jr. Mrs. Xoble is a communicant of
the Congregational church. Her husband is a member of the Free

G64 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

and Accepted Masons and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks. .

Jens J. Noeset, who has long been prominent as a contractor and
builder, with residence at Stoughton, was born in Norway, April 13,
1828. His parents were Johannes and Elie (Bardal) Noeset, both be-
ing natives of Norway. His father was a farmer and mechanic by oc-
cupation, and in 1845 migrated with his family to the United States,
locating in Christiana township, Dane county, Wis., where he pur-
chased land and began his life in America as a farmer. He remained
upon this farm until his death in 1882, at the ripe old age of eighty-
seven years, his wife having passed away in 185 1. Jens J. Noeset re-
ceived his primary education in Norway, and at the age of seventeen
years accompanied his parents to America, where he was compelled
to "pick up" what little of an English education he secured. He be-
gan life in the new home as an oxen driver for his father, and contin-
ued so employed until his father purchased a team of horses, being
the first to be brought to Christiana township, or at least that part of
it in which Mr. Noeset lived. For five years the subject of this review
followed teaming for his father, in one year making forty trips to Mil-
waukee, a distance of about eighty miles. It took about six days to
make each trip. After his marriage in 1850, Mr. Noeset purchased
his father's farm and followed agricultural pursuits for about twenty
years, also working at his trade. In 1867 he moved to Cambridge,
where he engaged in the hardware business, and in 1871, moved to
Stoughton, which place has been his home since, for a number of years
being connected with the wagon factory there. About 1884 he be-
gan to' devote his attention exclusively to 'contracting and building,
and among the monuments to his genius in this line there are the
[Norwegian Lutheran Seminary, in Minneapolis: the East church and
parsonage, on Koshkonong; the Lutheran Seminary, in Sioux Falls,
Soiith Dakota, and many other church buildings: the Norwegian
Lutheran College building in Decorah, Iowa, which cost $100,000,
and many public and private buildings throughout the state of Wis-
consin. Mr. Noeset was originally a Democrat in his political views,
but during the late years has assumed an independent attitude, and
gives his support to the men and measures who meet his approval,
regardless of the party label. He has honored the offices of village
treasurer, member of the school board, and supervisor of the township.
Religiously he is a Lutheran, and a member of the Norwegian Luth-
eran synod of America, serving for more than thirty years as a mem-
ber of its general council, and for more than nine years as one of its

BIOGRAPHICAL. 665

trustees. After having lived eighteen years in America, Mr. Noeset
made a trip to Europe, where he visited his mother country, as well
ais Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and other parts of the old world.
He was married on March 22, 1850, to Miss Gertrude Ingebrechtson,
of Christiana township. Mr. and Mrs. Noeset have no children of
their own, but they have two adopted daughters, one of whom, Ingeb-
jorg, is the wife of O. O. Melaas, a druggist in Stoughton, and the
other, Karen, is married to Ole Frederikson, a farmer in Minnesota.

James Nolan, deceased, formerly a farmer of the town of Bloom-
ing Grove and later a retired resident of the city of Madison, was a
native of Ireland. His education was such as the schools of the
country of his nativity afforded. He came early to the United States,
settling in Connecticut where he was employed for some ten years in
a bolt shop. Earlv in 1840 he left Connecticut and with but thirtv-
five dollars in his pocket started for Wisconsin. He entered land in
the town of Blooming Grove and in the course of a year or two was
able to bring his family from the east. This farm was the family
home until 1896, when Mr. Nolan retired and moved to 9 East Doty
street, where he lived until his death, which occurred December 24,
1902, in his eightieth year. He was one of the pioneers of the county,
a hard and earnest worker and well-known and highly respected. He
was one of the men of whom it can be said "He never made an
enemy-" Although he reached an advanced age he was wonderfully
well-preserved in mind and body and was keenly alive to the possibil-
ities of the times. Until his last sickness he had never been confined
to His bed a single day. He did not "belong" to any party but voted
as his convictions dictated. Mrs. Nolan died January 12, 1894, at the
age of seventy-two. She also* was a native of Ireland, and was left
motherless when but an infant. In her seventeenth year, soon after
her father's second marriage she canie to> the United States, the pas-
sage consuming more than three months. She was of a kindly, cheer-
ful disposition, — one of the women who are an inspiration and help in
the sick room. Generous and unselfish, she has been known to travel
twenty miles through the snow to minister to the wants of suffering
neighbors. Mr. and Mlrs. Nolan had twelve children, — Michael, lives
in Madison; Lucy, Mrs. James Farley of Madison; William H., Sa-
vanna, 111.; James B,. Janesville ; Thomas, Seattle, Wash.; Nora B.,
and Martha E., of Madison. The others died in infancy. These peo-
ple were among the pioneers of the county and knew much of the
hardships attendant upon an early settlement.

Jacob Noll is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and four-
teen acres, in Blooming Grove township, and in his career since com-

G66 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

ing to America he has exemplified that provident and conservative
energy which is so characterist'c of the German-American, and which
has enabled so many of such representatives in Dane county to attain
definite success through personal effort. Mr. Noll was born in
Baden, Germany, June 25, 1847, an(J ;-n tnat portion of the great Ger-
man empire his parents, John and M)ary Ann (Stoulte) Noll, passed
their entire lives. Jacob Noll passed his boyhood and youth in the
fatherland, in whose excellent schools he pursued his studies for nine
years. In 1866, at the age of nineteen years, he immigrated to Amer-
ica, making Madison^ Wis., his destination, and here he secured em-
ployment in the Hausmann brewery, being thus engaged for a period
of two years, after which he was employed on various farms in the
county for a number of years, finally renting land and farmiing on his
own responsibility, while in 1890 he purchased his present farm, to
whose cultivation and improvement he has since given his undivided
attention, bringing to bear his characteristic energy and also a
thorough knowledge of the details of the industry. His political sup-
port is given to the Republican party, and he and bis wife~ are mem-
bers of the German Lutheran church. March 24. 1872, Mr. Noll was
united in marriage to Miss Louisa Teidt. daughter of William and
Charlotte (Bremler) Teidt, of Verona, this county, and they have six
children, whose names, with respective dates of birth, are as follows :
Clara, January 3, 1873 I Anna Mara, July 24, 1875 ; Max John, June
24, 1877;. William Frederick, February 11, 1881 ; Louis James, March
15, 1886; and Ida Sophia, February 28, 1896. Clara is the wife of
'William Goertemoeller, who is express agent on the Chicago & North-
western Railroad, having the run between Chicago and Milwaukee in
which latter city they reside. Thev have four children, namely: Her-
bert, bom March 25, 1896; Esther, October 1, 1898; Ira, March 6,
1900; and Clara, , November 21, 1904. William Frederick Noll
fourth child of the subject of this sketch, married Miss Sophia Ushler,
of Milwaukee, and they had one child, Clarence, born May 26, 1905,
and died aged six months.

Ole A. Norness, superintendent of the electric light system of the
city of Stoughton, has held that position since 1902. He is of Nor-
wegian origin, son of Ole O. and Dora (Oleson) Norness, who were
born in Norway, married there and came to the United States in 1868.
They located in the town of Black Earth, Dane county, Wis. and there
worked a farm on shares for one year. In 1869 they moved to Grant
county and purchased a farm of eighty acres. After the death of Mr.
Norness in 1884, his widow came to Stoughton to live with her child-
ren, of whom there were five: Knut, Julia (Mrs. Christensen), Ole A.,

BIOGRAPHICAL. 667

Henry (deceased) and Anna. Ole A. was born near Boscobel in
Grant county, October 10, 1871, attended school in Boscobel and also
in Stoughton and for four years was engaged in farming. He was
employed three years by the C. M. & St. P. R. R. Co. and worked
for five years in the wagon shops of Stoughton. He became interested
in electrical work and made a systematic study of electricity for sev-
eral years with the result that he was able to pass the necessary ex-
aminations to become an electrical engineer and in May, 1902, took
charge of the Electric Light and Power Co. of Stoughton as superin-
tendent. When the city assumed the management of the electric
light plant he continued in office and still holds the position in which
he renders most able and efficient service to the municipality. April
24, 1895, he married Miss Mary Froelich, daughter of John and Clara
(B'laska) Froelich of the town of Marshall. Three children were born
to the marriage; Percy L., Rector L. and Margaret L. The family be-
long to Christ Lutheran church of Stoughton. Mr. Xorness is a
member of the Modern Woodmen of America, of the Beavers and of
the I. O. O. F. and is allied with the Republican party.

Cornelius M. O'Brien is one of the pre-eminently successful
farmers of the town of Oregon, a statement that becomes the more
important when coupled with the fact that his success has been due
to his own efforts aided by the good counsel and encouragements of
a faithful helpmate. Mr. O'Brien was born in Plymouth, Luzerne
county, Pa., March 15, 1839, ar>d his parents — Michael and Catherine
(Murphy) O'Brien — were natives of Cork, Ireland, where the former
was born in 1806 and the latter in 1808. The father was educated in
one of the Dublin universities, then married and came to Xew York
city, where he engaged in business. After some time spent in the
American metropolis thev decided upon a visit to Caracas, Venezuela,
where an uncle of the mother lived, and they remained in the South
American city a number of years, the father engaging in business
there. While they prospered in Caracas, the climate had a very dele-
terious effect upon the health of the wife and mother, and this caused
them to return to Xew York where the father re-entered the mercan-
tile business. The family fortunes were wrecked in the panic of 1837,
and, in 1838, a removal was made to a farm in Luzerne county. Pa.,
where the parents spent the remainder of their lives, the father being
the first to pass away. After his death the mother built a canal boat
for her sons, and in its operation an income was received which sup-
ported the family, but in 184^ the home was again darkened by the
death of the mother. An elder daughter then took charge of the

668 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

household and kept the family together, but in a few years she died
and the home was broken up, an aunt taking the younger children.
The subject of this review attended school in his native county, and
in 1853 came to Wisconsin with his elder brother, John O'Brien, with
whom he had made his home after the marriage of the latter in 1855.
The}- settled in the town of Oregon, Dane county. Cornelius attended
a select school in Brooklyn for a time, and in 1861 bought eighty
acres of his present farm, breaking thirty acres for the plow that year
and twenty acres more the year following. In 1864 he added ninety-
five acres to his landed possessions and established his home on his
farm in April, 1865, residing in a building which he afterward used as
a granary. In 1868, the small grubs covering twenty-five acres of his
land were removed and the land broken, and in 1875 Mr. O'Brien
built one of the largest and best farm houses in that locality. His
next addition to his homestead was in 1895, when he purchased one
hundred and five acres adjoining, but previous to this, in 1884, he pur-
chased sixty acres in the town of Fitchburg, on section 8, and later, in
1889, he bought one hundred and forty-three adjoining, which makes
his total landed possessions at the present time four hundred eighty-
three acres. This success has been achieved by giving his undivided
attention and the employment of his unusual natural ability entirely to
agricultural pursuits, and mow in his declining years he looks back
upon a well spent life, while the fruits of his early industry render him
comfort and ease. Mr. O'Brien relates that 'he was driving mules on
a canal in Pennsylvania when he first saw a railroad train, hauled by
the original engines of the Pennsylvania system, then operating only
between Harrisburg and Philadelphia. These same primitive engines
were exhibits at the Columbian Exposition at Chicago, in 1893, and
Mr. O'Brien again had the pleasure of gazing upon them, but with
different emotions, we dare say, than when they attracted his attention
in his old Pennsylvania home. In the O'Brien family there were ten
children, and all but three of them are living, the exceptions being
Margaret, Ellen and James, an infant. John resides m the town of
Oregon; James resides in Wilkesbarre Pa.; Joseph in Spencer, Clay
county, la.; the subject of this sketch is fifth in order of birth:
Catherine is unmarried and resides in Dane county; Daniel resides in
Lamars, Plymouth county, la.; Michael lives in the same place. Mr.
O'Brien was married on January 4, 1876, to Miss Abigail Berry,
daughter of Michael and Mary Berry, of St. Lawrence county, N. Y.,
and to this union there have been born four children. Emmet S. re-
sides in the town of Fitchburg. and of the others, Philip G. and

BIOGRAPHICAL. 660

Louis R. reside at home and Emma T. is deceased. Mr. O'Brien
is a Democrat and he and his wife are members of the Catholic church.

Birdie T. Oftelie, senior member of the firm of Oftelie & Sever-
son, real estate dealers and insurance agents of Stcughton, has resided
in Stoughton since 1903. Previous to that time he was a farmer in
the town of Pleasant Spring's, which was the original home of the
Oftelie family in Dane county. The first representative of the family
in that locality was Ole Oftelie. who was one of the earliest settlers of
the town. He came from Norway to Pleasant Springs in 1846, when
the country was almost unbroken, and purchased from the government
two hundred acres of land which he improved and made his permanent
home. Two sons survived him; Ole and Targe. Targe left home
when a young man to enter a general store in Stoughton as clerk.
After ten years in this employment he located at Marshall and en-
gaged in the boot, shoe and harness business, which he carried on suc-
cessfully until 1875, when he sold his business and returned to the old
homestead in Pleasant Springs, which he occupied until 1905. At this
time he went to Texas and thence to Los Angeles, Cal., where he has
since resided. Mr. Oftelie married Esther Wettleson, daughter of a
pioneer of Pleasant Springs and ten children were born to the mar-
riage ; John, Susie, Lena, the wife of Ole Springer, Oscar, Birdie T.,
Lizzie, who is Mrs. Andrew Schoe, Mamie, the wife of Edward Es-
pefie, Jacob, Ezra and Joseph. Birdie T. was borr in Marshall. June
6, 1868, attended the Marshall school and the .dbion Academy and en-
gaged in farming during his first years in business. In 1903 he
moved to Stoughton and engaged in his present business which has
prospered and is constantly increasing. September 15, 1890, Mr. Of-
telie married Miss Julia Erickson, daughter of Knudt and Gertrude
Erickson of Dunkirk. Two children blessed the marriage : Kenneth
and Esther. The family is identified with Christ Lutheran church
of Stoughton. Mr. Oftelie is a loyal member of the Republican party
and served the town of Pleasant Springs as assessor for seven years
and as treasurer for one term. He is a member of the Knights of
Pythias.

William Ogilvie, (deceased), was born in Whitby, Ontario,
Canada, in 1849, of Scottish parentage. His father, George Mitchell
Ogilvie, came to Canada about 1840, from Scotland. His mother,
Margaret (Edgar) Ogilvie was twice married, her first husband was a
Mr. Mitchell, with whomi she left Lochlee, Forfarshire, Scotland, in
1841. Mr. Mitchell died at sea during the passage, and his widow
came on to Canada with her two children, Janet, who is now married
to George Wright, of Toronto, Can., and John, also a resident of Tor-

670 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

onto. In 1844, Airs. Mitchell married Mr. Ogilvie; their children are
R. B. Ogilvie, of Chicago; James, of Whitby, Ontario, Canada; Wil-
lian the subject of this sketch; George (deceased); Margaret, married
James Waddingham, of Toronto; Jacob, of Dane; David, of Verona;
Helen, married Victor Emmanuel Mason, of Verona. Mr. Ogilvie
was a farmer; 'he died in 1876, aged seventy, and his wife in 1902, aged
eighty-four. Mr. William Ogilvie came to Verona in 1868, when he
was twenty years of age; he began by working by the month, but as
soon as he was able he purchased land for himself, adding to his pos-
sessions from time to time until he became one of the large land-hold-
ers of the vicinity, having a farm of six hundred and twenty-two acres;
besides his general farming he was an extensive and very successful
stock buyer and raiser. Mr. Ogilvie was prominent in the councils of
the Democratic party in his vicinity, and was their candidate for sheriff
in 1888; he held local offices at various times. He was married in
1879, to Miss Agnes Mason, a native of Verona; she died in 1890,
leaving five children, Lottie, John, Robert, Allen and Nellie, all at
home. The father died in 1894 and the farm is now operated by the
two sons, John and Robert, whoi were reared on it and educated in the
schools of the vicinity and at the agricultural college of the Uni-
versity of Wisconsin, and they have added dairying to the earlier
interests.

Thomas William Oldham, whose promising career was ended a
few years ago by death, had been a resident of Dane county but a
comparatively short time ; but his stay had been long enough to
acquaint the people generally with his splendid qualities and excel-
lent traits of character, and his untimely demise was mourned by
a large number of devoted friends, Mr. Oldham was born in Wor-
cestershire. England, on August 19, 1868, and was the son of Joshua
and Isabella (Laurie) Oldham, both natives and life-long residents
of the mother country. They were the parents of nine children,
seven of whom still reside in England, and the other two are de-
ceased, Thomas W. and Harry, both of whom migrated to America.
The latter died in New York city while preparing to take pas-
sage on a return trip to his native land, the sad event occurring in
August, 1898. The subject of this review received an excellent
education, first attending a grammar school in England and then
adding to the knowledge thus gained by college courses, both in
his native land and in Germany. He was educated with the inten-
tion of becoming a lawyer, but at the age of eighteen years he
came to America and studied agriculture with T. L. Hacker in
the town of Cottage Grove. He remained with Mr. Hacker until

BIOGRAPHICAL. 671

he was married, and then purchased the Kelley farm in the town of
Verona, where he resided for about five years. In 1893 he pur-
chased and removed to the Payne farm, in the town of Fitchburg,
where he continued his occupation of general farming with gratify-
ing success until his death. February 8, 1898. He was a man of
superior ability, and aside from the scientific knowledge of ag-
riculture which he was rapidly acquiring, he took a deep interest
in topics of a general nature, and had his life been spared he would
doubtless have achieved distinction as a leader in the affairs of life.
In political matters he espoused the cause of the Republican party,
his religious views were in accord with the Episcopal faith, and fra-
ternally he was a member of the Madison Camp, Modern Wood-
men of America. He was married in November, 1888, to Miss
Helen A. Latham, further particulars of whose family are given on
another page in the sketch of her brother, John C. Latham. Mrs.
Oldham's father was a leading physician in England and she was
reared in a city, never having been on a farm until after her mar-
riage. But upon the death of her husband she displayed the ster-
ling qualities so characteristic of the English people in times of
emergency, and remained upon the farm and successfully managed
its affairs until she disposed of it two years later. She then pur-
chased the splendidly equipped home in the city of Madison, where
she now resides with her three children, Leslie Latham, Wilfred
Stanley, and Helen Evelyn Laurie, giving them the excellent edu-
cational advantages that are afforded there.

John Myers Olin, whose name will be handed down to posterity
as the father of the magnificent system of parks and pleasure drives
in and about Madison, Wisconsin, is a successful lawyer of the above
named city. He was born in Richland county, Ohio, July 10, 1851.
His parents were Nathaniel G. and Phoebe (Roberts) Olin, the former
a nat've of Shaftsbury, and the latter of Manchester, Vermont. His
early years were spent on the farm, and his opportunities for education
were those furnished by the short sessions of the district school. When
fourteen he attended Belleville high school for two years and also
attended Daily's private academy, at Lexington, for a short period.
Entering Oberlin College, he remained through the freshman year,
and then entered the sophomore class at Williams College, graduat-
ing with the class of 1873. with the degree of A. P.. and was given
the degree -of A. M. three years later. He was next principal of the
Mansfield, Ohio, schools for a year. From September, 1874, to the
close of the college year in June, 1878. he was instructor in rhetoric
and oratory in the University of Wisconsin. He was graduated from

672 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

the law school of the University of Wisconsin in 1879 and at once
began the practice of law, at Madison, which has since been his home.
His first law-partner was Lars J. Grinde (U. W., Law, 1874), who
died in December, 1882; he then practiced alone until January 1, 1892,
when he formed a partnership with Harry L. Butler (U. W. Law,
1889) under the firm name of Olin & Butler, which st'll continues.
The firm has acquired a lucrative practice, and is recognized as one
of the strongest law finris in the state. Mr. Olin is a profound stu-
dent of the law, and is noted for the intense application with which he
undertakes the conduct of a case. His zeal and energy in the interest
of a client is untiring and he leaves no stone unturned in the exhaust-
ive preparation of his cases. In their trial he displays a marked capacity
for logical and convincing statement, has an impressive manner and
voice, anel frequently rises to heights of impassioned oratory. The
firm has shared for many years in much of the important litigation in
both the state and Federal courts. Sonne twenty years ago he es-
poused the principles of the Prohibition party of the state, and was its
candidate for governor; since then be has been classed as a Republican
of a non-partisan and liberal type, standing for the best measure*
and men. In addition to his fame as a brilliant lawyer, Mr. Olin is
widely and favorably known for his public-spirited efforts looking to
the beautification of Madison, and its environment. The plan of
securing parks anel pleasure drives for Madison originated in 1892,
and Mr. Olin has been the prime mover anel leading spirit in the work
ever since. He has been indefatigable in the cause, and has given
unstintedly both of his t'me and money. The Madison Park and
Pleasure Drive Association was finally organized in 1894, and was
succeeded Iby the present organization of the same name but with
enlarged powers, in 1899. Working through this splendid association,
Mr. Olin, with the efficient help of other public spirited citizens, has
succeeded in giving to the city a system of drives and beautiful parks,
which are unrivalled by any city of its size in the country ; and best
of all, the work of the association has promoted a spirit of liberal
giving which has worked for the general uplifting of the community.
These parks and drives are Mr. Olin's enduring monument, and his
memory will ever be kept green by reason of them, while his present
admirers are legion. In the fall of 1885'. he. was selected as instructor
of Federal jurisprudence, sales, juries, and jury trials, in the college
of law, of the University of Wisconsin, and continued in the work
until the close of the school year of 1887. He was again chosen a
member of the law faculty in June, 1894, and since then has lectured
on real property, wills, and torts. His labors in this field are marked

BIOGRAPHICAL. 673

by his usual ability and thoroughness. Air. Olin vvns married June 14,
1880, at Baraboo, to Miss Helen R. Remington (u. W., '76). Their
home on Langdon street, near the University, and extending to the
waters of Lake Mendota, is one of the ornaments of the city.

Andrew Olson is one of the prosperous farmers of Cottage Grove
township, where he has won independent and definite success through
his own efforts and ability. He was born in the northern part of Nor-
way, October 8, 1849, and is the son of Ole and Cary (Anderson)
Knutson, taking his surname from the Christian name of his father, as
is the custom in his native land. He was reared to maturity in Nor-
way, where he received limited educational advantages. He was in his.
twenty-second year at the time of his immigration to America, and
he made his way directly to- Dane county, where he found employ-
ment as a farm hand, being thus engaged about three years and then
purchased a farm in Dunn township, where he remained about twelve
years, at the expiration of which he sold the place and purchased his
present farm of forty acres, in Cottage Grove township. He has
made good improvements on the place and thrift and prosperity are
in evidence on every hand. Air. Olson attributes much of his success
to the able assistance and co-operation of his wife, and they may well
look with pride and satisfaction upon the results of their faithful efforts.
Both are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and in pol-
itics he is identified with the Republican party. In the autumn
of 1872 Air. Olson was united in marriage to Miss Anna Johnson,
who was born Alarch 11, 1853, being a daughter of John and Betsey
(Peterson) Johnson, of Dunn township. They have nine children,
whose names, with respective dates of birth, are as follows: Ole, No-
vember 9, 1873; John, January 10, 1875; George Cornelius, Alarch
28, 1877; Bessie Anderina, February 17, 1880; Clara Matilda, Alay 6,
1882; Thea Sophia, Alarch 2T,y 1884; Albert Oscar, Alarch 19, 1887;
Anna Luella, August 22, 1889; and A label Caroline, September 27,
1892. Ole, the eldest son, married Aliss Oleta Caroline Lonsness, of
Cottage Grove township; John married Aliss Alabel Boyles of the
same township; Bessie A. is the wife of Carl Ahrensmeier, of Elmside,
a suburb o>f the city of Madison; and Clara AI. is the wife of Ellsworth
Hoover, of Dunkirk township.

Andrew Olson, a successful and well known farmer of Rutland,
was born October 23, 1848, near Bergen. Norway. His father,
Ole, was a farmer, shoemaker and carpenter in the village and there
married Aliss Ingeborg Knutson. Eight children were born to
them ; Ole B., who is a farmer of Burke ; Knute, a farmer of Rut-
43— iii

674 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

land; Andrew, Betsey and Ole N., who reside with their brother
Knute ; Otto a farmer in Dunkirk, and Martha and Ole, who died.
The family came to America in 1870, where two of the sons had
preceded them and located in Rutland. The boys were obliged to
work in Norway and had small opportunity to attend school. An-
drew left Norway in 1868, located in Stoughton and farmed there
and in the town of Dunn for several years. In 1870 he enlisted as
a private in Company E, of the Seventeenth Regiment of the regu-
lar army and was stationed at Fort Stephenson, N. Dak. and at the
Grand River Agency. At the end of two years he was discharged
for disability. Since that time he has lived in Rutland, where he
purchased first a farm of forty acres and later added to it one hun-
dred acres, on which he now lives. In December, 1905, another
forty acres was purchased, making in all a fine large farm. Mr.
Olson is a Republican but not an active politician. He is a mem-
ber of the First Lutheran church of Stoughton. In October, 1888,
he married Miss S. Reppen, daughter of Hans and Carrie (Gist)
Reppen, whose home was in Norway. Eight children have been
born to them; Ida, Clara, Odin, Henry, Ernest, Emill, Adelina and
Sedney.

Anton Olson has since 1889 resided upon the farm of one hun-
dred and fifty-six and one-fourth acres in Christiania, where he at
present carries on an extensive general farming and dairying
business. He makes a specialty of fine milch cows of which he
always has a large number and has a finely equipped property.
About one hundred acres are under cultivation. Anton Olson was
born in Hedemarken, Norway, February 9, 1859, and came to the
United States in 1876 with his parents, Ole and Marie (Olson)
Nelson. He purchased a farm in the town of Folten near Edger-
ton, Rock county, where the family lived for three years and then
moved to Christiania, where Mr. Oleson still resides. Mrs. Nelson
died in 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson attended the United Lutheran
church, of which their son Anton and his wife are also members.
Three children were born to Ole Nelson and his wife : one died in
infancy and Anton and Alena came to America with their parents.
Alena married Taylor Johnson of Albion who died in. 1906. Mrs.
Johnson has since then lived with her father in Albion. Anton at-
tended school in Norway and when the family arrived in Christiania
he worked out for some time until they became established. In
March. 1886, he married Miss Anna Thostenson of Christiania,
daughter of Thosten and Christina (Gunderson), who were natives
of Nummedahl, Norway, and who settled in Christiania, Dane

BIOGRAPHICAL. 675

county, in 1844, upon a farm. Five children blessed the marriage
of Mr. and Mrs. Olson, all of whom are living at home: Oscar,
Martin, Clara, Henry and Alma. For three years (1886-1889) Mr.
Olson lived on a farm in Rock county, where he had seventy-five
acres of land but he soon returned to Dane county, where he has
always been interested. He is a loyal member of the Democratic
party but has never taken any very active part in political mat-
ters.

Knud Olson, the pioneer harness dealer of Stoughton, is one of
the well known are honored citizens of this part of the county. He
is a native of Norway, where he was born March 25, 1836, and is a
son of Ole and Leve (Erickson) Knudson, his surname being derived
from the Christian name of his father, as is the custom in Norway.
Mr. Olson was afforded the advantages of good schools in his native
land, where his father followed the vocation of farming. In 1852, at
the age of sixteen years, he set forth, with ail of courage and self-reli-
ance, to make a home in America, the voyage comprising seven weeks
He landed in the port of New York city, and then came to Wisconsin
by way of Albany, Buffalo and the Great Lakes, to Milwaukee. From
Wisconsin's present metropolis, which was then a small town, he pro-
ceeded to Janesville, Rock county, where he served a thorough ap-
prenticeship at the trade of harness-making and where he remained
five and one-half years. In 1858 he took up his residence in Stough-
ton, where he worked at his trade several months, in the employ of
J. O. Cold. From 1864 to 1866 he traveled through the west, espe-
cially in Montana, where the gold excitement was then at its height.
In January, 1866, he settled permanently in Stoughton, where he has
thus made his 'home for forty years. He has established a successful
business as a dealer in harness and saddlery and has a well equipped
shop in which high-grade goods are manufactured and repaired. For
several years he was also special carriage trimmer for the old shop of
the Mandt wagon works, in that connection giving employment to
several men. Mr. Olson has stood for the highest type of loyal citizen-
ship, has retained the implicit confidence and esteem of the community
and has been called to various offices of public trust, He served eight
years as assessor of Stoughton, was village trustee several years, prior
to the incorporation of the city, being president of the board of trus-
tees one year, and for several years he represented his ward on the
board of aldermen of the city. For three years he held the office of
city treasurer, and he has ever been found faithful and efficient as
a public official. Tn politics he is an uncompromising Republican

676 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

and his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. For more
than twenty years he has been a trustee of Christ church, of this de-
nomination, in Stoughton, his wife likewise was a devoted member of
the same. In 18G0 he was united in marriage to Miss Guri Chris-
tiansen, daughter of Knud and Barbara (Synsistegard) Christian-
sen, who came to Wisconsin from Norway and settled in Rock county
in 1852. Mrs. Olson died in 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Olson became the
parents of six children, of whom four are living, — Levi, a resident of
Milwaukee; Caroline, widow of Nelson M. Lovejoy, of Stoughton;
Bennette and Annie G. The two deceased were named Annie and
Maria Josephine, the latter of whom was the wife of E. J Young.

Nels F. Olson, manufacturer of and dealer in carriages, wagons,
harrows, plows, etc., in the city of Stoughton is one of the pro-
gressive business men and popular citizens of this place, and he
has built up a prosperous enterprise through Ins own efforts and
ability. He was born in Trondhjem, a seaport town of Norway,
November 13, 1858, and is a son of Ole and Bertha (Nelson) Ol-
son, who came to America in 1882, locating in Dane county, where
he was engaged in farming until 1895, since which time he and his
wife have resided in Stoughton. Of their six children five are
living, namely: John, Nels F., Annie (wife of Alexander Nelson),
Sever F. and Bertha (wife of John L. Johnson). Nels F. Olson,
the immediate subject of this sketch was reared and educated in
his pative land, where he remained until he had attained to the
age of nineteen years, when, in 1877, he came to the United States,
making his way from New York city to Hancock, in the upper
peninsula of Michigan, where he was employed in' the copper mines
for eighteen months. He then came to Dane county and located
in the village of Cambridge, where he learned the trade of general
blacksmith, remaining in that place three and one-half years. He
then located in the village of London, this county, where he was
associated in business with Charles Wolffor during the ensuing
three years. In 1886 he located in Stoughton, where he worked at
his trade, as a journeyman, for one year, passing the following
eighteen months in Utica, this county, and then returning, in 1889.
to Stoughton, which has since represented his home and business
headquarters. He has built up a prosperous business and has his
shops well equipped for all branches of work handled. He is a
stalwart in the ranks of the Republican party, and from 1895. to
1898, inclusive, he represented the second ward of Stoughton in
the city council. He is identified with Stoughton Lodge, No. 60,
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and with the Scandinavian

BIOGRAPHICAL. 677

Working-men's Association. Both he and his wife are members of
the Lutheran church. In 1889 Mr. Olson married Miss Denie Ole-
son, daughter of Andrew Oleson, of Cambridge, this county, and
they have two children, Merrill and Edna.

Osmon T. Olson, (Asbjorn T. Olson, his baptizimal name) the
obliging operator and station agent at McFarland, was born in the
town of Pleasant Springs, Dane county, September 24, 185 1. The
parents were Tollef and Guri (Tofte) Olson, natives of Norway, who
came to Wisconsin in 1849. Tollef Olson saw service in the Swedish
war. After his arrival in Milwaukee he m)ade the trip overland to
the town of Pleasant Springs, where he worked land on shares for a
couple of years. Cholera was raging in southern Wisconsin in the
summer of 1852 and Tollef Olson fell a victim to its ravages, leaving
a widow with three small children, the eldest only five years old,
Esther (now Mrs. P. F. Nelson of McFarland), Ole, died at age of
fourteen, having been an invalid all his life, and Osmon T., the sub-
ject of this sketch. The struggles of the widow for several years
were hard, but by 1859 she had accumulated enough to purchase a
modest home in the village of McFarland. At the age of fifteen,
when he had acquired all the learning to be had from the McFarland
schools, Osmpn T. Olson started life for himself. His first work was
with a contractor's gang, building fences for the railroad company.
The next seven years he put in at the carpenter's trade, studying tel-
egraphy in his spare moments. So proficient did he become in this
that in 1878 he was given a position as operator and two years later
was given charge of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Com-
pany's depot at McFarland and has held that position ever since.
Few people ever led a more self-sacrificing life than has Osmon T.
Olson. Time and again he has been offered and urged to take more
lucrative positions, but he has always steadily refused to consider any
overtures preferring to remain in McFarland while his mother lives.
He says he realizes something of what he owes her, and has built her
a beautiful home, where he lives with her. In politics he is independ-
ent ; each man and issue is carefully weighed and the decision is made
with his ballot. His religious affiliations are with the Lutheran
church, and the Young People's Society is the only organization of
any kind to which he belongs. Something of the esteem in which
Mr. Olson is held by his neighbors may be judged by the fact that
he has twice been chosen their town clerk.

Otto M. Olson, a prominent farmer of the town of Dunkirk, is a
native, of Sogen, Norway, born December 23, 1855, son of Ole and
Ingeborg (Knutson) Olson. Ole Olson was a skilled maker of spin-

678 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

ning-wheels in Norway and continued that handicraft as a means of
livelihood in Wisconsin. The family left Norway in 1868, embarked
for the United States and continued their journey to Dane county,
Wisconsin. Here Air. Olson farmed on shares in addition to his othei
work and here he lived to the great age of ninety-five years, his death
occurring in April, 1891. Seven children made up the family circle;
Ole, Knut, Andrew, Martha, who married Otto Sperle, Otto M., Bet-
sey and Olaf. Otto M. was thirteen years of age when he came to
the United States and continued his education, commenced in Norway,
at the district schools of the town of Dunn. He assisted his parents
in the work of farming and has always made farming his business.
In 1 881 he purchased forty acres of good farm land in the town of
Dunkirk, which is now his home, and later added an adjoining twenty
acres in the town of Rutland. This he has greatly improved and has
in a fine state of cultivation. Since 1899 he 'has been agent for the
Farmers' Insurance Company of Albion and has been for five years
treasurer of the Rutland Cooperative Creamery Company. In his po-
litical affiliations Mr. Olson is a Republican and has served the town
of Dunkirk as assessor for six years and as treasurer for three years.
June 30, 1893, he. married Miss Annie Rasmussen, daughter of Nels
and Kate Rasmussen, farmers of the town of Burke. Three children
were born to this marriage; Mabel, Agnes and Norma. The family
are active supporters of the First Norwegian Lutheran church of
Stoughton, of which Mr. Olson is a trustee.

Thore Olson, deceased, for many years one of the prominent
farmers in the town of Pleasant Springs, was a son of Ole Thorson
and Sarah Christopherson of Norway. His birth occurred June 4,
1838, at Guldbrandsdalen, Norway. In 1869 Mr, Olson and his wife
came to the United States and settled in the town of Pleasant Springs.
His first means of obtaining a livelihood alter coming here was by
raising tobacco on shares, which he did for eight years. In 1876 he
purchased one hundred and ninety acres of land in the same town,
later adding a tract of forty acres adjoining, the place being equally
divided between the towns of Pleasant Springs and Dunn. Later in
life he added to the amount of realty by the purchase of two hundred"
and forty acres in the town of Dunkirk. One hundred and twenty
acres of this Dunkirk property are still in the possession of his estate,
together with the Pleasant Springs and Dunn holdings. He followed
agricultural pursuits all his active life, retiring in 1902. Besides his
agricultural possessions he owned valuable real estate in the city of
Stoughton, and upon his retirement he removed to that city where he
died July 8, 1904, at the age of sixty-six, leaving a widow, ncc Sarah

BIOGRAPHICAL. 679

Nicholei, daughter of Peter and Johanna (Andersen) Nichole of Nor-
way, and ten children. The children in the order of their ages are
Tilla, wife of Lief Holte ; Pauline, married Louis Felland ; Maria,
wife of Theodore Edwards; Theodore; Henry B. ; Louise; Lenore ;
Yalborg; Henrietta and Rupert. One daughter, Hannah, is deceased.
Prior to his coming to America Mr. Olson had been a sailor on the
high seas for eighteen years. He was a thrifty, industrious farmer
and left his family a good competency.

William T. Olson was born March 27, 1859, upon the farm in the
town of Dunkirk, which is now his home, and has always engaged
in farming, except for eight years which he spent in Stoughton.
His father, Torgrim Olson, was born in Norway, son of Ole Han-
son and Thurene Hanson, and came to the United States in 1845 ac~
companied by his mother. He purchased a farm of eighty acres in the
town of Dunkirk, Dane county, from the government, cleared and im-
proved it and still makes it his home. He is now in 1906 in his eighty-
fifth year. Torgrim Olson married Anne Wettleson, daughter of Wil-
liam and Betsey (Torgeson) Wettleson, who came from Telemarken,
Norway, in 1845 ar>d located upon a farm in the town of Dunkirk. Five
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Torgrim Olson, of whom two
died in infancy; Ole T. (deceased) whose widow and three children
survive him; Thurene, the wife of Albert Torgerson of Pleasant
Springs and William T. William T. attended school in Dunkirk and
in the public schools of Stoughton, assisted his father in the work of
the farm and continued in that occupation, assuming the manage-
ment of the home farm in his father's old age. For a period of eight
years he resided in Stoughton and engaged in the leaf tobacco busi-
nesss but the remainedr of his life has. been spent on the old homestead
where he carries on a general farming business and also raises consid-
erable tobacco. He is the owner of twenty-four acres adjoining the
original eighty. September 18, 1888, he married Miss Susie Alme,
daughter of Asbjorn and Soneva (Ladd) Alme, farmers of Pleasant
Springs. Two children were born to the marriage, Statia and Amanda.
The family is identified with Christ Norwegian Lutheran church of
Stoughton. Mr. Olson is a member of the Democratic party, has
served the town of Dunkirk as assessor one term and as supervisor sev-
eral terms. While a resident of Stoughton, Mr. Olson was supervisor
and represented his ward in the city council. He has always taken a
great interest in farmers' organizations, particularly the Farmers'
Equity, or which he was president the first year after its organization.

Thomas O'Neil is now living retired at No. 342 W. Main street,
in Madison, after ^devoting nearly fifty years to the activities of a

680 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

business life in the capital city. Mr. O'Neil was born in the parish
of Lesrouna. near Feathert, County Tipperary, Ireland, and in
early manhood migrated to America, arriving at New York city in
1852. He remained in the metropolis and at Sing Sing, N. Y.,
working at the foundry business for five years, and then came
directly to Wisconsin, arriving at Madison on May 12, 1857. Dur-
ing the first twelve months of his residence here he worked in the
freight house of the Milwaukee & Mississippi railroad, and then
started in business for himself, keeping a boarding house
on West Main street until 186? when he bought and built on
W. Washington avenue, continuing in business there until 1901,
when he retired from active participation in affairs. He received
a common school education in his native land, his father having
been a farmer there. Three other brothers came to America,
James, in 1848, died in Salem, Mass. ; William, died in New York
and John in Chicago. Mr. O'Neil has three other brothers in
Australia who together own 16.000 acres of land and are largely
engaged in the business of sheep-raising. The subject of this re-
view gives an unswerving allegiance to the principles of the Demo-
cratic party, and his religious faith is expressed by membership in
the Catholic church. He was first married while living in the state
of New York on April 6, 1856, and the lady of his choice was Miss
Constance Godfrey, a native of Ireland, born near Holy Cross,
Tipperary, whose father, James Godfrey, was an extensive farmer
in the Emerald Isle. The first wife died in April, 1901. and on
November 14, 1904, Mr. O'Neil was married, in the Catholic church
at Madison, to Miss Katie Curly, who was born in St. Louis, Mo.
The father of Mrs. O'Neil was Brigadier General Thomas Curly,
of the United States army, who commanded a Missouri regiment
during the Civil War and died in Madison in 1904. No children
have been born to either of these marriages.

Charles O. O'Neill, dealer in real estate with an office in Room
9, Fairchild block, was born in Grant county, Wis.. September 22.
1870. His parents were Edward and Elizabeth (Faherty) O'Neill,
natives of Illinois. Edward O'Neill served thr?j years in the Civil
War in Company I>, Ninetieth Illinois volunteer infantry. He enlisted
as a private, and received three promotions, being mustered out as
first lieutenant. His regiment was with Sherman's army, and Mr.
O'Neill saw service in the siege of Atlanta and on the march to the
sea. In 1892 lie came to Madison and since that time has been con-
nected with the Capital City Paper company. He is a member of the
Catholic church and is past commander of the Hazel Green post. Grand

BIOGRAPHICAL. 681

Army of the Republic. His wife died November 10, 1902, at the age
of sixty-one. Charles O'Neill was the third of rive chicireni. — Oscar,
died when thirteen years old ; John, died when eight months old ;
Charles ; Stella, lives at home : and Leo, died when but eight months
old. Charles received his education in the Hazel Green high school
and was for two years a student in the civil engineering course of the
University of Wisconsin. For five years he was mailing clerk in the
postoffice at Madison, and then he went into the drug business with.
James M. Sexton, under the firm name of "Sexton & O'Neill." In
1904 the business was sold and Mr. O'Neill opened a real estate office,
which business is now furnishing him with an excellent means of live-
lihood. In 1904 and 1905 he served as alderman from the second
ward, being elected on the Democratic ticket. On June 20, 1900, he
married Catherine, daughter of M. J. and Catherine (Byrne) Cant-
well, natives of Ireland. Mr. Cantwell has since died, but his widow
is an honored resident of the city. Mrs. O'Neill was one of ten chil-
dren, eight of whom are still living. To Mr. and Mrs. O'Neill have
been born three children, — Catherine Elizabeth, Edward Cantwell and
Paul Faherty. The family belongs to the Catholic church.

Anton T. Onsrud is a prominent farmer of Rutland, Dane county.
His parents, Thora Larsen Onsrud and Bertha (Gutormson) Onsrud,
were natives of Ullensacker, Norway, where the}- were married and
spent their entire lives. Of their four children, all except Allte, who
died in Norway, came to America. Caroline is the wife of A. Halver-
son of Stoughton, and Morrison lives in Minneapolis, Minn. Anton T.
was born May 11, 1848, educated in the common schools of Norway
and there confirmed in the Lutheran church, with whose branch in
Stoughton he is now affiliated. He was left an orphan while quite
young and worked out on farms in Norway until 1871, when he set
sail for America. His first home was in Rock county, where he
worked out for two years at Cooksville. Two years were spent in
Minneapolis, after which he returned to Cooksville and rented a farm.
In 1882, he purchased his present property of one hundred thirty-
five acres in the town of Rutland, section n. On it he has made many
improvements and has a valuable farm. The house which was burned
in 1897 was rebuilt and made much more modern and commodious.
He also owns the farm in section 12. known as the Usher place. Mr.
Onsrud raises considerable tobacco besides other farm produce. He
is a Republican but has never been active in politics. In 1874 he mar-
ried Mis.> Marie Johnson of Rutland, whose parents. John and N. Man-
son) Johnson, came to America from Norway in 1882. Mr. and Mrs.
Onsrud have eight children, all of whom attended school in

682 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Rutland and Stoughton and reside with their parents, except the two
oldest, who have moved to other farms in Rutland. John, the oldest
son, married Miss Mamie Griddle, and owns and operates the Criddle
farm in Rutland and Ben is also a farmer on the Usher farm. Edon,
Albert, William, Edward, Clarence and May are the younger children.
John C. Onstad, (deceased), was a pioneer farmer of the town of
Christiania, Dane county. He was born in Sogen, Norway, May
2, 1828, son of Christian Onstad, who had six children : Peter, Ossie,
John C, Christian, Andrew and Maria. John, Peter, Andrew and
Maria came on a sailing vessel to the United States in 1851 and
after a six weeks' voyage, landed in New York. By way of the
Erie canal and Lake Michigan, they finally reached Milwaukee
and John C. went to the northern woods of Wisconsin, where he
found employment in the lumber camps. As soon as he was able
to save a little money he purchased a farm in the town of Chris-
tiania, Dane county, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres.
The only buildings upon the property were a log cabin and a
stable and all of the present substantial buildings were erected by
M)r. Onstad and many other improvements made. Another tract of
eighty acres was added to the farm a few years later. Until his death,
December 15, 1904, Mr. Onstad carried on a successful farming bus-
iness, also raising large quantities of tobacco. Mr. Onstad was a Re-
publican and always had at heart the interest of the community, serv-
ing it in many of its local offices. Mrs. Onstad, who with her son
Otto and daughter Nina, still lives at the old home, was Miss Anna
Lee, also a native of Sogen, .Norway, born 'n :83c). Ten children
blessed the marriage of John C. Onstad and wife. Christian (de-
ceased) married Miss Martha Bird; Martha (deceased) married Al-
lan Lee and left three children, Christie, Edwin and Nettie; Nettie is
a teacher and lives with Mrs. Onstad; Lena [3 the wife of J. R. Lien,
a farmer of Christknia : Annie (deceased) marrie:1. Ed. E. Norgord
and her four children, Nina, Leah, Evan and Andy, live with Mrs.
Onstad; Erick J., a lawyer and principal of the Wittenberg academy
of Shawano county. Wis., married Miss Olava Kittlesby and they
have had a family of four children; Bernice, Ragnar. Elsa and Johan
(deceased); Andrew and the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Onstad
are deceased, and Henry. Otto and Nina are the youngest living chil-
dren. All are mjenibers of the Lutheran church of East Christiania.
The younger members of tho family were all educated in the home
schools; Christian attended Janesville college and Albion Academy.:
Annie attended Milton Seminary; Erick stud'ed law at the state Uni-
versity of Wisconsin and ( )tto attended the Albion Academy and the

BIOGRAPHICAL. 683

Minneapolis Lutheran college. Otto manages the farm for his mo-
ther and is a prominent and leading member of the community, where
he has held a number of offices. Mrs. Onstad is the daughter of
Erick Johnson and Martha (Larson) Lee, who came from Norway in
1844 and obtained a farm in section 29, town of Christiania. Their
family consisted of eight sons and daughters, of whom four are living.
Three of Mrs. Onstad's brothers served the Union cause, one in the
Wisconsin Volunteers and two from California, which was at that
time their home.

August E. Ovren holds precedence as one of the successful con-
tractors and builders of Dane county, havng his residnece and busi-
ness headquarters in the city of Stoughton. He was born in Norway,
April, 24, 1850, and is the son of Ovren Mikkleson and Marta (Tau-
berg) Mikkleson. The father came to America in 1871 and took up
his residence in the village of Cambridge, Dane county, where he died
in 1887. The subject of this sketch was reared to maturity in his na-
tive land, in 'Whose common schools he secured his early educational
training, and there also he partially learned the blacksmith's trade,
under the direction of his father. In 1871, like many another* of the
sturdy sons of the fair Norseland, he set forth to seek his fortunes in
America. He made Dane county his destination, taking up his abode
in Cambridge, where he began work at the carpenters trade. In 1873
located in Stoughton, where he has since maintained his home. For
eleven years he was employed in the T. D. Mandt wagon works, and
since 1884 he has been independently and successfuully engaged in
business as a 'contractor and builder. He has erected many of the
best business blocks in the city and more than one hundred private
residences of superior type. Politically he advocates the cause of pro-
hibition, and he served one term as representative of his ward on the
city board of alderman. He and his wife are zealous members of the
'Methodist Episcopal church. In 1876 was solemnized the marriage
of Mr. Ovren to Miss Sarah Tenson, a native of Norway, and they
have two children, — John, and Hilda, wife of Tohan Jacobson.

John E. Ovren is one of the prominent and successful business
men of the city of Stoughton, where he is proprietor of the J. E.
Ovren Boat & Motor Works. He was born in Stoughton, June 2,
1877, and is a son of Augustus E. Ovren, a sketch of whose life ap-
pears in this work, so that a further resume of the family history is
not demanded at this point. Mr. Ovren was afforded the advantages
of the excellent public schools of Stoughton, and supplemented this
by a course in the Stoughton Academy. He learned the carpenter's
trade under the direction of his father, who is one of the leading con-

684 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

tractors and builders of Stoughton. and in 1899 he went to Marinette,
tliis state, for the purpose of learning the shipbuider's trade, serving
an apprenticeship of eighteen months in that place and then going to
Milwaukee, where he finished his apprenticeship, in the service of the
Milwaukee Dry Dock Company. His experience was gained under
the most favorable conditions and he is specially skilled in the trade
of ship and boat building. In the spring of 1904 Mr. Ovren returned
to Stoughton and engaged in the manufacturing of rowboats and
gasoline launches, in which line of enterprise he has since continued
most successfully, and in 1906 he enlarged his facilities to include
the manufacturing of gasoline engines, his plant being now prepared
to furnish the best type of engines of this order, up to sixteen-horse
power and launches up to a length, of fifty feet. The enterprise is
one which meets with especial approval and support in this beautiful
lake district of Wisconsin. Mr. Ovren is a reliable and progressive
young business man and enjoys distinctive personal popularity in his
native city. In politics he is an advocate of the cause of the Prohibi-
tion party. September 25, 1899, Mr. Ovren was united in marriage
to Miss Wilhelmina Johnson, daughter of Rev. Arne and Matilda
(Lewis) Johnson, of Marinette, Wisconsin, and they have two chil-
dren,— Helen Mareella and Ruth Winifred.

William S. Packard, of Basco, Montrose township, is of English
and Welsh extraction, and a descendent of some of the early settlers ol
New England. His grandfather, Gooding Packard, about 1810, came
from Connecticut to Bristol Center, Ontario county, N. Y. He was a
blacksmith by trade, and followed that occupaton in his young man-
hood; later he took up farming and spent the latter part of his life on
a farm in Ontario county, dying at the age of seventy-six. He mar-
ried Miss Adeline Gooding, a new Englander of English and Welsh
ancestry. His son, William G. Packard, was born, reared and edu-
cated in Bristol Center, and followed the occupations of teacher and
farmer. He came west in 1845, Dut on account of ill health returned
to New York. He died in Bristol, February 16. 1895, aged seventy-
nine years. He married Miss Cynthia Gooding, who was born in On-
tario county, and was a daughter of Ephraim Gooding-, who came
from Dighton, Mass.. at an early date, and settled in Ontario county,
spendng the remainder of his life there. Mr. and Mrs. William G.
Packard had two sons. William S. the subject of this sketch, and
Gooding, of Canandaigua, N. Y. The former was born November 25,
1855, reared in Ontario county, and educated in the public schools of
Bristol, Canandigua academy, Genesee Weslyan seminary at Lima, N.
Y. and was graduated from Clinton institute, at Clinton, N. Y. in the

BIOGRAPHICAL. 685

class of 1875. He taught school in New York, and also engaged in farm-
ing. In December 1880 he came to Wisconsin and in the fall of the fol-
lowing year located in Montrose township, on section three, buying two
hundred and thirty-five acres and has now one of the best improved
farms in the county, with fine buildings, etc. He carries on general farm-
ing, stock raising and dairying. Mr. Packard was married, December
29, 1880, to Miss Mary F. Ellsworth, a native of Mifflin, Iowa county,
Wis., and a daughter of John and Eliza Ann (Green) Ellsworth, both
natives of Penn Yan, Yates county. X. Y. Mr. Ellsworth was born
June, 9, 1823, and came to Wisconsin in 1848, located near Oregon,
and in 1857 went to Iowa county, where he engaged in farming. Dur-
ing his residence in Dane county, and while the transportation facili-
ties were still in a primitive condition, he hauled grain from Madison
to Milwaukee. In later years he speculated in grain, and the farm of
six hundred acres which he bought in Iowa county lay in the zinc and
lead district, and proved to be a very valuable investment. He died
December 2, 1901. He was a prominent member of the Masonic or-
der, being a Knight Templar. His wife, born June 14, 1825, died
December'/, 1901. They were both of English ancestry and belonged
to old Xew England families. Mrs. W. S. Packard is one of a family
of eight children, viz., Amanda E.. married C. C. David, Alden, Iowa;
H. G. Ellsworth of Barron, Wis.; John M., of Livingston, Wis,;
Eliza, married E. D. Baker, of Edmund, Iowa county; Mary married
W. E. Packard; Reuben, of Mineral Point; Elmer, of Livingston;
Rachel, married M. Preston, of Rewey, Iowa county. To Mr. and
Mrs. Packard have been born five children, William H., Elmer E.,
Edna, Gooding and Rachel M., all living at home. Mr. Packard is a
Republican and at present chairman of the board of supervisors ; he is
a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.

Flavious B. Paine, a prominent farmer of the town of Rutland,
is a native of Dane county. His parents, Joseph S. and Eliza Ann
(Butterfield) Paine, were born in Buxton, Maine, where they spent
their youth and early married life. Joseph Paine was by trade a
tanner and active in the affairs of the community where he resided.
At one time sheriff, he held many local offices during his life. In
1844, he located in the town of Fitchburg and obtained eighty acres of
wild land which he afterward exchanged for an e:ghty-acre farm of
prairie land. One of the pioneers of Fitchburg, he belonged to the
Masonic Lodge when first established and was prominent in the com-
munity. Mr^s. Joseph Paine was an energetic worker in the Methodist
Episcopal church. After Mr. Paine's death in 1857, she lived with

686 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

her children until 1893, when she died at the advanced age of eighty-
four years. Eleven children blessed the marriage, of whom five are
living; Eliza. Charles A. and Ellen reside in Oklahoma; Joseph S.
lives in Madison and Flavins in Rutland. Flavins B. was born in
Fitchburg, March 7, 1854, educated in the district school and early be-
gan to earn his own way. His sisters, Eliza A. and Ellen, attended
the University of Wisconsin and became school-teachers, but Flavius
went to work at farmung when he was but seventeen years old. When
he was twenty-one he went to Leadville, Col., where he worked in the
mines and drove a stage. In the autumn of 1878 he drove a team
from Fitchburg to Knoxville, Tennessee and soon after took up a
claim near Frederick, S. Dak. Returning to Fitchburg in 1886, he
rented the old homestead and in 1893 he purchased it. He also
owned one hundred and thirty acres in the town of Oregon, which he
improved and sold at a handsome profit. In 1904 he bought eighty
acres in the town of Rutland which is the present homestead and
built a fine barn and handsome dwelling. November 24, 1897, Mr.
Paine married Miss Edna E. West, daughter of Henry and Phoebe
Ann (Burch) West of Madison. Three children were, born to
them; Flavius, in 1899; Blanche, in 1900, and Edna in 1901. Mr.
Paine is a Democrat and takes an active interest in local affairs.
He was elected supervisor in Oregon and assessor and treasurer in
Fitchburg.

Cassius M. Palmer, dealer in real estate, who makes his home at
1809 Jefferson street, Madison, was born in Erie county, Pa.,
September 19, 184-1. His parents were O. M. and Huldah Palmer,
natives of Pennsylvania, where the father was a farmer. In 1853
O. M. Palmer brought his family to Wisconsin, settling on a farm
in the town of Oregon, Dane county. His parents, Daniel and
Beulah (Warner) Palmer, had preceded him to this county, and in
1853 Cassius and his grandfather celebrated their joint birthday
by a visit to Madison, the first opportunity either of them had of
seeing the capital city of the state. O. M. Palmer was a promi-
nent figure in the early history of the Methodist Episcopal church
of Oregon. He cut and hauled the logs to mill for the lumber
used in the construction of the first Methodist church and parson-
age. He took no active part in politics until the breaking out of
the Civil War, when he became exceedingly influential in the mat-
ter of raising troops. He died March 22, 1898, at the age of sev-
enty-six years, after having disposed of his farm. His wife died
June 17, 1897, at the age of seventy-five. Their three children are
still living: — Mary, widow of Cole Kierstead. lives in Oregon;

BIOGRAPHICAL. 687

Cassius M., the subject of this sketqji ; and John, contractor and
builder, living at Portland. Cassius M. Palmer received his edu-
cation in the district schools of the town of Oregon. His first
labor was on a farm, and he continued at it until his enlistment in
September, 1864, in Company E, Thirtieth Wisconsin Infantry,
serving in Sherman's army on garrison duty until the close of the
war. On July 2, 1865, he received an honorable discharge and re-
turned to Oregon. On November 1, 1866 he married Esther An-
nette, daughter of Marvin P. and Emma A. (Rogers) Colby, the
former a native of Erie county, N. Y., and the latter of England.
Mr. Colby was a shoemaker of Oregon village, who died in March,
1869. He had served in Company B, Eleventh Wisconsin Infan-
try, and had risen' to the rank of lieutenant. His death was due to
the exposure and hardships of army life. His widow is still living
in Oregon at the age of eighty-three. Mrs. Palmer was the eldest
of four children. The others are Elizabeth, Mrs. Samuel W. Howe,
of Florence, Kas. ; Charles, died in 1865, at the age of fourteen ;
and Mortimer T., a traveling salesman, who makes Oregon his
home. To Mrs. and Mrs. Palmer have been born three children.
Arlie, the oldest, is Mrs. W. T. Lingham, of Belleville, Canada;
Merle C. is principal of the high school at Boscobel, Wis ; he mar-
red Nina Phalen, and has one child, Genevieve ; he is a graduate
of Whitewater normal school, and has taught at Lake Mills.
Rochester and Sheboygan. The youngest child is Mabel, the suc-
cessful teacher of music in the Richland Center schools. Mr. and
Mrs. Palmer are members of the Presbyterian church. Mr.
Palmer is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Grand Army
of the Republic, serving three years as commander of the O. E.
Rice post of Oregon. He is little interested in politics, and is not
affiliated with any party. He exercises his right of franchise as
his judgment dictates.

Charles A. Palmer is a well-to-do farmer of the town of Oregon,
in which he has had his residence during all the years of a life de-
voted to the honorable calling of a tiler of the soil. He was born in
the town above named on July 16. 1859, and was the youngest of
three children born to J. Y. and Cornelia (Church) Palmer. Of
these children, William, the eldest, is deceased, and his widow resides
near Riley, Dane county; Minerva I. is the widow of C. M. Church,
and resides in Janesville Wis., and Charles A. is the subject of this
review. The father was born near Erie, Pa., and came to R<>c!v
county. Wis., in 1844, first working as a farm hand one year and then
buying eighty acres of land in the town of Oregon, Dane county. He

688 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

was married the following spring to Aiiss Cornelia Church, a native of
the state of New York, but at the time of marriage a resident of Rock
county. Mir. Palmer and wife resided on the farm mentioned about
five years, and then sold it and removed to his mother's farm in the
same town, where they remained two years and then bought a farm
in the town of Fitchburg, near Oak Hall. There his good wife died
in June, 1891, and Mr. Palmer was called to his reward, March II,
1903. Chares A. Palmer, whose name introduces this miemoir, re-
cevied his preliminary education in the district schools of Fitchburg
and supplemented the knowledge thus gained by c-ttending during two
terms the high school of the village of Oregon. He made his home
with his parents until he had attained to the age of twenty-seven years,
working as a farm hand part of the time. He also worked farm land
on shares for eight or nine years, and bought the farm where he now
resides in 1890. He later bought another farm of eighty acres, one
mile north of his residence. On Mtirch 27, 1889, he was mlarried to
Miss Loustella Maxwell, who was born at Prairie du Chien, Wis.,
December 9, 1865, the daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Shap-
land) Maxwell, and the only survivor of four children born to these
parents. The father moved his family to Missouri in 1865, and after
residing in St. Louis a short time took up a residence in Pilot Knob.
After living in the latter place about six years the family was stricken
with cholera, the father and two sons dying on one day, and on the
following day a daughter succumbed to the dreadful disease. The
mother was also attacked, but her case developed into typhoid fever,
and after partially regaining her health she took her only surviving
child, who is now the wife of Mr. Palmer, and with a heavy heart re-
turned to Wisconsin and located in the town of Oregon, where she
then had relatives. There the good mother, who it would seem had
more than her share of trouble in life, sank into ihe peaceful sleep of
death in 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer are the parents of five children,
all as yet being members of a happy family circle, and their names
and dates of birth are as follows: Hazel P., February 4, 1890;
Boyd M., April 18, 1891 ; Arba C, July (i. 1893; Lottie L, December
15, 1894; Lynn, February 18, 1896. Mr. Palmer gives an unswerv-
ing allegiance to the Republcan party, and although not a seeker of of-
fice in any sense of the word he takes an active interest in local affairs,
and is now serving his second term as school director.

John Nicholas Paltz, manufacturer of rugs, whose place of busi-
ness is at 124 West Mifflin street, is ">. native of Dane county. He
was born in Cross Plains April 5, 1855. He is a son of Peter and
Mary (Krantz) Paltz, both natives of Germany. His paternal

BIOGRAPHICAL. 689

grandfather died while a soldier serving in the Napoleonic war,
Peter Paltz, although he is past eighty-four years of age, is hale
and hearty, and makes his home on a farm in the town of Cross
Plains. He is one of the pioneers of the county, having come here
in 1848, the year of the organization of the state. For two terms
he served as town treasurer. His wife, the mother of the subject
of this sketch, died in 1872 at the age of thirty-nine. There are
nine children in the family, of whom John N. is the second. The
others are Catherine, the wife of Matthew Koch, a resident of Dixon
county, Nebraska ; Barbara, the wife of William Riddle, of Dixon
county, Nebraska ; Mary, who married Joseph Mausbach. a mason
of Madison ; Peter lives in Madison ; Adam died in 1903 at the age
of thirty-nine ; Anna, now Mrs. William Stoppelort of Cross
Plains, who lives on the old homestead ; Matthew, proprietor of
the Park bowling alleys in Madison ; and George, in partnership
with Matthew. John N. Paltz was educated in the common schools
of Cross Plains. After the completion of his scholastic work he
labored on his father's farm until he had attained his majority and
then learned the shoemakers' trade. This vocation he followed
for ten years, part of the time conducting a shop of his own, where
he employed four men. in Calliope, Sioux county, la. In 1885 he
returned to Madison and entered the grocery business ,in the firm
of Esser & Paltz. This partnership continued for five years, when
Mr. Paltz bought out his partner's interest. Later he closed out
his grocery, but seven years after he again entered the same
business, his store occupying the present site of the Hub Cloth-
ing Company. When it was impossible to renew the lease of the
building he withdrew from that line of trade and started, in Sep-
tember, 1903, the rug manufactury which he has since been success-
fully managing. He employs anywhere from three to ten men as
the exigencies of the seasons demand. On May 8, 1883, Mr. Paltz
was united in marriage to Catherine, a daughter of Jacob and
Sophie Esser. Mr. Esser is a retired mason contractor. His
wife died February 19, 1901. at the age of sixty-eight years. Mrs.
Paltz is one of the five surviving members of a family of six chil-
dren. By her marriage to Mr. Paltz she is the mother of three
sons and three daughters. These in the order of their ages, are
Peter Thomas, Jacob Frank, Margaret Gertrude, George. Amelia
and Catherine. The family are members of the Catholic church.
Mrs. Paltz is a member of the Women's Auxiliary of the Catholic
Foresters and her husband is a Catholic Woodman. Mr. Paltz
is of that thrifty German stock which makes a success of every-
44 — iii

690 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

thing undertaken. He is one of the valuable and worthy citizens
of the community, kindly, courteous and ever responsive to the
pleas of suffering' humanity.

John Barber Parkinson, vice president of the University of Wis-
consin and professor of constitutional and international law, was
born near Edwardsville, Madison county, 111.. April 11, 1834, son of
Peter and Valinda (Barber) Parkinson. Peter was born in Carter
county, Tennessee, in 1805 and came to southern Illinois with his
parents when he was a boy. Valinda Barber was a native of North
Carolina. Edwardsville was not considered a healthful locality by
its early settlers and in 1836, the Parkinson family of father, mother
and two little children, Margaret and John, moved to southwest-
ern Wisconsin, where an uncle of Peter Parkinson, Col. Daniel M.
Parkinson, had resided since 1827. Peter purchased a large farm
in Fayette, La Fayette county, and was there joined a few years
later, by his father, William Parkinson. The latter was one of a
family of five brothers, each over six feet in height, whose feats of
physical prowess were celebrated even in that day of hardy fron-
tiersmen. The name of Fort Defiance, built and defended by Col.
D. M. Parkinson during the Black Hawk War, was characteristic
of the man. The family of Peter and Valinda Parkinson num-
bered eight children. The oldest died in infancy; Margaret mar-
ried Robert Trousdale and died in 1853; Harriet died in infancy;
Sarah (deceased) was the wife of Alfred Marcy; James and Wil-
liam died in infancy ; John and Carroll, the latter reading clerk of
the United States senate, are the only survivors. The second
wife of Peter Parkinson was Margaret McKee and five children
were born to this marriage; Valinda (deceased), Eugene, Jason
(deceased), Mina and Bell. John B. attended school at Fayette
and in 1850 entered the preparatory department of Beloit College.
In 1852 he took charge of an expedition fitted out by his father to
cross the plains to California, and, after several years in the west,
returned in 1855 and entered the University of Wisconsin in 1856
where, in 1860, he received the degree of A. B. with the highest
honors. He was immediately appointed tutor, after one year was
elected the first county superintendent of La Fayette county, was
for several years in charge of the Fayette selec+ school. — a private
school very popular at that time, which graduated many men who
have since become prominent in the commonwealth, — received
his M. A. in 1863 and was made a member of the board of univer-
sity regents in 1866. Among the names of the pupils of Professor
Parkinson at Fayette are Senator R. M. La Follette and his sister,

BIOGRAPHICAL. 691

Mrs. Siebecker, Bishop Bashford of the Methodist Episcopal
church, Hon R. M. Bashford, John W. Bashford of Hudson and
Hon. A. F. Warden, at one time chairman of the Democratic state
central committee of Wisconsin. In 1867 Mr. Parkinson was
elected professor of mathematics of the University and in 1873 be-
came professor of civil polity and international law, which position
he resigned in 1874. He purchased a one-fourth interest in the
Madison Democrat in 1871 and edited it from 1874 to 1876. In
1871 he served as chairman of the Democratic state central com-
mittee and in 1876 was appointed a member of the Wisconsin
state board of centennial managers of which he was made presi-
dent. In 1876, Mr. Parkinson again became a member of the
University faculty and held the chair of civil polity and political
economy until 1893. when his chair was changed to that of consti-
tutional and international law, which he now holds. Since 1885 he
has been vice president of the University. Professor Parkinson
is an educator of the school which holds social and moral training
and example essentials of the good teacher and has always been a
favorite among the students. He has been longer in active service
than any other member of the instructional force of the University
and the influence of his kindly personality has impressed itself
upon a wide circle of alumni in whose individual careers he takes
the liveliest interest. Prof. Parkinson has lectured in many Wis-
consin cities in connection with the work of University Ex-
tension, is a life member and curator of the State Historical Asso-
ciation of Wisconsin, a member of the Wisconsin Academy of
Sciences. Arts and Letters, of the National Historical Association
and also of the National Political Science Association. In Decem-
ber, 1861, he married Miss Frances Jane Gray, born in Mineral
Point, December 4, 1838, daughter of Major Robert Gray and Lucy
(Monroe) Gray. Eight children were born to the marriage; Mar.
shall M., Mary (deceased), the wife of A. T. Schroeder, John Mon-
roe, Ben Carroll, Henry Gray, Stanley Barber (deceased), Harriet
and Myra.

Andrew S. Parsons, retired, whose family is identified with th&
early progress and development of Dane county, was born at Moravia,
Cayuga county, N. Y., October 12, 1833, a son of Anson G. and Nancy
(Thompson) Parsons. His paternal grandparents, Moses and Chloe
Parsons, were the parents of twelve children, two of whom died in in-
fancy. Daniel, the eldest, was familiarly known as "Major" all his
life. His death occurred at Forestville, N. Y. Anson G., the sub-
ject's father, passed the last thirty years of his life at Oregon, Dane

692 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

county. Aaron was a shoe-maker who passed away at Moravia,
N. Y. Warren was the incumbent of the office of warden of the New
York state prison at Auburn when his death occurred. John, a min-
ister of the Gospel of the Baptist faith, was stricken down while on
a Mississippi river steamboat bound for his home in Minneapolis.
Reuben died while still young-. Sarah, the wife of Solomon Davis,
died at Garretsville, N. Y., as did Susan, wife of Griffin Brig-gs ; Eu-
nice, wife of Charles Albert Wheeler; and Harriet, wife of Nathaniel
Aylesworth. Anson G. Parsons first saw the light of day in Spring-
field township, Otsego county, N. Y., September 8, 1789 and there
grew to manhood. After his marriage to Nancy Thompson, which
occurred January 8, 1823, he lived in Moravia, N. Y. many years.
Nancy Thompson was born July 30, 1802, in New Hampshire and
until she was two years old lived in the state of Maine. With her fa-
ther and mother, John and Hannah (Healy) Thompson, she then re-
moved to Madison county, N. Y. Her father died August 31, 1818
in his fifty-first year, the mother when she was ninety-four. Of the
ten children in the Thompson family the following facts are of in-
terest: Abigail, born January 29, 1794, became the wife of Aaron
Parsons. She died at Moravia, N. Y. ; John, born October 11, 1796,
a farmer, died in Chautaucpia county, N. Y. ; Betsey, born Novembei
20, 1798, wife of John Kelly, died at Lancaster. Wis. ; Washington,
born January 28, 1800, died while a farmer in Chautauqua county,
N. Y. ; Nancy, the mother of the subject of this sketch, died in Or-
egon, Wis.. March 15, 1881 ; Seth, a twin brother of Mrs. Parsons,
died on his farm near Ann Arbor, Miich. ; Lydia, three times married,
— to Asa Foster, James Eddy, and Ira Knight, — succumbed to injuries
received in a railroad accident at her home at Gaines, Genesee county.
Mich., November 28, 1892; Jane, born September 13, 1807. became
the wife of Daniel Bush and died at Whitewater, Wis. ; Clarissa, born
January 12. 1810, was the widow of James Pratt and died at Fenton
in Genesee county, Mich., March 24, 1906, over ninety-six years old ;
and Naomi the youngest, born June 1, 1813, became the wife of John
Felt and died in young motherhood, leaving two children. From Mo-
ravia, Anson Parsons removed his family to Ledyard, N. Y., where
he operated a mill for two years; the following two years found him
at Dresserville engaged in the same business and two years after
at Milan. In 1850 he came west by way of the (neat Lakes to Mil-
waukee, thence by team to Oregon, Dane county, where he purchased
a small piece of land in section 12, now a part of the village of Or-
egon. Here he worked as carpenter and farmer until he was obliged
to retire because of advanced aee. His death occurred February 1 z,

BIOGRAPHICAL. 693

1881 in his ninety—second year. His widow passed away just one
month later. Both were ardent advocates of the abolition and tem-
perance causes. The family consisted of four, daughters and two
sons. Beside the subject of this sketch there were Eliza Ann, born
February 8, 1824, who became the wife of Nelson Winston, and
lives at Evansville, Wis.; Jane T.. born March 3, 1826, became the
wife of Ambrose Spencer and died at Sparta, Wis., May 13, 1858 ;
Harriet, wife of Daniel Briggs, was born September 23, 1827, and
now lives at Ironton, Sauk county, Wis. ; Josephine, born November
14, 1829, became the wife of Tristram Story and now lives at
Evansville. Wis. ; and Henry, born April 23, 1843, died June 27,
1847.

Andrew S. Parsons received what education the district schools of
New York and Wisconsin afforded and then served an apprentice-
ship as carpenter to his father until 1856. That year he went to Mon-
roe county, Wis., to engage in mercantile business, but after a short
time returned to Oregon and worked at his trade. In 1861 he was
appointed deputy sheriff of the county, holding the office until 1864 at
which time he enlisted as a recruit in Company F, Thirty-third Wis-
consin Infantry. With the regiment he was a participant in the Red
river expedition, Tupelo, Mfiss., and in the forests and swamps of Ark-
ansas and Missouri suffering much from cold and hunger ; in the fight
at Nashville which practically destroyed Hood's army ; the reduction of
the Mobile forts, and a march through Alabama of one hundred and
fifty miles, seventy-five miles being through a pine wilderness. When the
Thirty-third was discharged Mr. Parsons was transferred to the elev-
enth Wisconsin, and served some five weeks longer. On his return
he went to work at his trade, later was deputy sheriff again and con-
stable, and still later engaged in agricultural pursuits near Oregon on
a farm tof one hundred acres. Subsequently he sold this farm, im-
proved and rebuilt on fourteen acres in the village adjoining the old
homestead and is now building on a lot in Parsons addition. On Au-
gust 31, 1857, he was united in marriage to Louisa W., daughter of
Stodderd S. and Patty '(Wait) Johnson, pioneers of the state, coming
here in 1844. Mr. Johnson was born on January 28, 1807, and his
wile on July 5. 1806. Their marriage occurred at Solon, N. Y., Jan-
uary 13, 1831, and their six children were Louisa W., (Mrs. Parsons),
born May 3, 1834; Gilbert C, born April 16, 1836, died January 5,
1873; Laura, born March 10, 184a. died April 1, 1841 ; Riley W.. born
September 12, 1842, Isaac S., born February 2ie 1847, died April 17,
1848. Mrs. Johnson died June 21, 1872, and her husband November
20, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Parsons have seven children. Minnie M. I..,

694 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

born October 29, 1858, married Harvev G. Fox, of Brookings. S. D.,
and is the mother of four children, Bertha M., Hubert H., Merle H.
and Forest W. Hubert A., born October 12, i860, married Mary
Barker, and has two daugtiters Burl L. and Bula ; their home is in
Brookpark. Minn. ; Elmer S., born August 25, 1862. married Etta
Doughty. They have two children, Howard and Alice Louisa, ana
live at Ogilvie, Minn. Charles A., born December 13. 1869, married
Estella Wilcox, by whom he has one daughter, and two sons, and
died January 5. 1906. The other members of the family are Laura
J., born January 27, 1874; married Elmer S. Rogers and they have
one daughter and two sons ; Ira S. born March 26, 1876, and
Rena B., born February 1. 1878, married S. L. Porter and has one
daughter and one son. Mr. Parsons like his parents, is a stanch
bearer of the banner of temperance and is identified with many
organizations seeking to promote its advancement. Since 1855 he
has been a member of the Independent Order of Good Templars,
having been a charter member of the first lodge at Oregon, now a
member of Capitol lodge. No. 1, Madison, Wis. He has held all
the offices of the local society and was state district and lodge
deputy for years. He also was a member of the Cadets of Tem-
perance, the Sons of Temperance and the Temple of Honor. I. O.
of O. F. and G. A. R. In his political relations Mr. Parsons is af-
filiated with the Prohibition party. Prior to 1884, however, he had
been an active radical Republican from the time of the organization
of that party. For many years he was an energetic Sunday school
worker and for about twenty-four years has traveled in the employ
of several publishing companies in the collecting department.

William K. Parsons, a well-known merchant of Marshall and at
one time a farmer in the town of Medina, is one of Dane county's
olcl residents. His parents, Urbane Parsons and Mary (Dewey)
Parsons, were natives of Massachusetts and lived for a time in
, Crawford county. Pa., where Mrs. Parsons died. Mr. Parsons'
second wife was Miss Fannie Sheldon, wdio came with him to Mar-
shall in 1848, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr,
Parsons died in 1890 and his wife in 1892, aged ninety-six years.
Mr. Parsons was a cooper and prominent in the village. For
twenty years he held the office of clerk of the town. William K.
Parsons was born October 30, 1828, in Crawford county. Pa., at-
tended school in Pennsylvania and came with his parents to Mar-
shall when he was twenty years old. For many years he owned
and operated a farm in the town of Medina and sold it to open a
store in Marshall. He has alwavs been active in the affairs of the

BIOGRAPHICAL. 695

village and has been chairman of the board of supervisors and
prominent on the school board. He has also held the position of
treasurer of the Farmers' Mutual Protective Fire Insurance Co.
In 1852, he married Miss Ann Hart, a native of England, daughter
of Thomas and Elizabeth Hart, who came to Dane county in 1845.
Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Parsons ; Orlando, who
resides in Los Angeles, Cal ; Mary, who lives at home ; Charles, de-
ceased ; Laura, the wife of Gus. L. Kaiser ; and Fannie, who is
Mrs. Ray Miller. Mrs. Parsons died in August, 1883, and Mr.
Parsons married a second time, his wife being Mrs. Paulina L.
Cole. Air. Parsons was for a long time associated with the Good
Templars and Temple of Honor and was also a member of the
Grange ; but at the present time has retired from the cares of an
active business life.

George M. Patterson, of Stoughton, a prominent retired farmer
and business man, is one of the popular citizens of his home city.
He is the owner of valuable real-estate in the county, and to the man-
agement of the same he now gives the major portion of his attention.
Mr. Patterson is a native of Dane county and is a representative of
one of its pioneer families. He was born in Pleasant Springs town-
ship, January 21, 185 1, and is a son of Jacob M. and Mary A. (Stew-
ard) Patterson. His paternal grandfather, John Patterson, was born
in Pennsylvania, in 1802, and while he was a child his parents re-
moved thence to Trumbull county, Ohio, being numbered among the
first settlers of Brookfield township, where the son was reared to man-
hood and where he learned the trade of wheelwright. Later he de-
devoted much of his time to the manufacture of wooden clocks, for
which he found a ready demand throughout the pioneer community.
In 1823 he married Elizabeth Meyers, who was of Welsh descent,
and they became parents of four sons and five daughters. In 1846 the
family came to Wisconsin and number themselves among the pioneers
of Dane county, settling on section 5, Pleasant Springs township,
where John Patterson continued to reside the greater portion of the
time until 1870, when he removed to Grundy count}-, Iowa, where
both he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives. He was thus
a pioneer of three different states in the L nion. Jacob M. Patterson,
father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Trumbull county,
O'hio, September 22, 1825, and was there reared and educated. At the
age of twenty-one he accompanied his parents on their removal
to Dane county. Wisconsin, and he secured one hundred and twenty
acres of wild land in section 5, Pleasant Springs township, later adding

696 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

to its area until he was the owner of two hundred and forty acres, the
greater portion of which he reclaimed to cultivation. In 1849 was
solemnized iiis marriage to Miss Mary A. Steward, who was born in
York county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Charles and Margaret
(Heyer) Steward, and who came to Madison, Wisconsin, in 1842.
Of this union were born nine children: George M. is the immediate
subject of this review; Tabitha M. is the wife of Peter Hurd; Lorena J.
is unmarried; Alma D. is the wife of William Pennewell; Eunice C.
is unmarried; Charles F. married Jennie Killion; Harley J. was the
next in order of birth; William E. married Miss Stella Sager; and
Frank F. married Miss Minnie Killion. George M. Patterson was
reared on the old homestead which was the place of his birth and his
educational advantages were those of the common schools of his lo-
cality. He continued to be associated in the work of the home farm
until he had attained tio his legal majority, when he purchased a farm
of sixty acres, in Pleasant Springs township. He sold this property
in 1880 and then purchased one hundred and twenty acres in Dunn
township, a tract which he still owns. He continued actively identi-
fied with agricultural pursuits until 1893, when he took up his resi-
dence in Stoughton, where he engaged in the buying and shipping of
live stock, in which he continued for five years. He then established
himself in agricultural-implement business, which he followed suc-
cessfully for the ensuing six years, since which time he has lived
practically retired, maintaining a general supervision of his farm and
also giving attention to the selling of his attractive lots along the shore
of Lake Kjegonsa. He is a supporter and attendant of the Baptist
church of Stoughton, of which Mrs. Patterson is a member, and his
political allegiance is given to- the Republican party. Fraternally he
is identified with the Woodmen of the World. February 28, 1880,
Mr. Patterson was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Pennewell,
daughter of John and Hannah M. (Miller) Pennewell, of Stoughton,
and the children of this union are three in number: Floyd M., Ray W.
and Hazel M. Floyd M. married Miss Pearl Page.

Jesse G. Patterson, postmaster at Cambridge and owner and
editor of the Cambridge News, was born in Jefferson, Jefferson
county, Wis., August 24, i860, a son of Joseph B. and Sarah M. Pat-
terson. The father was born in New York state and the mother in
Kentucky. The paternal grandfather was a soldier in the War of
1812, receiving some fourteen bullet wounds. He lived to the ripe
old age of ninety-two years, passing away at the home of his son
Joseph. His remains are at rest in the Hebron, Wis., cemeterv. The

BIOGRAPHICAL. 697

first account of the mother's family is their settlement in Virginia,
where the maternal grandmother of the subjec; of this sketch was
captured by the Cherokee Indians during one of their raids and held
as a hostage for three days. On both sides Mr. Patterson is of
Scotch ancestry. He served his apprenticeship as a printer in
the office of the Jefferson Banner and was foreman for a year of the
Oconomowoc Local. Subsequently for a number of years he had
charge of the Wisconsin Tobacco Reporter, editing and publishing it
until its present editor, Air. Coon, removed from Ocoiioitdowoc to> Ed-
gerton and assumed charge. June 26, 1886, Mi. Patterson estab-
lished the Edgerton Index which for six years he continued to edit
and publish. In 1892 he sold the plant to W. H. Bennett and removed
to Milwaukee, but remained in the latter place only a year, purchasing
in 1893 the Cambridge Xews and changing his place of residence to
that village. He has since been sole owner and editor of the publica-
tion, which has met with much favor, both in its own vicinity and else-
where. His political affiliations are with the Republican party, but
aside from the office of postmaster to which he was appointed by Pres-
ident McKinley in 1898 and which he still holds, he has never accepted
positions of public trust. January 8, 1882, he was married to
Miss Grace F. Bands, daughter of James and Addie F. (Birge)
Bands of Jefferson. To this union have been born six daughters, —
Zenia M., Gretchen A., Dorothea, Jessie Hobart, Cecelia and Eliza-
beth. Mir. Patterson is identified with the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Equitable Fraternal Union and
the Beavers. He is widely and favorably known throughout the
county.

Edward F. Paunack, stone dealer of Madison, residing at 811 Uni
versity avenue, was born in Madison, April 16, 1863. His parents
were Frederick and Amelia (Landman) Paunack, natives of Saxony,
Germany, where the father learned the stone cutters' trade. In 1849
Frederick Paunack left his native land and sailed for America. For
three years after his arrival he lived and worked in Baltimore, Md.,
and in 1852 came to Madison. Tbe university buildings and the state
capitol were in course of construction and Mr. Paunack obtained work
at his trade without difficulty. In a few years he had saved enough
to enable him to purchase a stone business, which he actively managed
until his death in 1876, at the age of forty-seven years. Both he and
His wife were active members of the German Presbyterian church. His
wife is still living, making her home with her son. Of nine child-
ren in the family there are but two living, Ida, Mrs. Michael Zwicky,
of Chicago, and Edward F., the subject of this sketch. Edward F.

698 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Patinack received his education in the Madison public schools. At the
age of fifteen he started in to learn the stone business and at the age
of twenty-one he took over the direction and management of the busi-
ness left by his father. He has made an immense success, and is rec-
ognized in the commercial world as a man of thorough, safe methods.
He furnishes a goodly portion of the stone used in macadamizing Mad-
ison streets. A younger brother, Frederick W. Paunack, who died in
Madison, May 4, 1904, was an architect, well and favorably known in
Madison. He had worked in Cedar Rapids and Dubuque, la., and
had been a member of the firm of Gordon and Paunack. Four months
before his death he became associated with his cousin, under the firm
name of Paunack & Paunack. His widow nee Emma Slamer, still
makes Madison, her home. Edward F. Paunack is a member of the
Masonic Fraternity and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks.

Joseph Pearson, proprietor of the Spring Park dairy in the town
of Madison, was born on March io, 1850, at Cumberland, England,
his parents, Mossop and Mary (Tidyman) Pearson, both being natives
of that shire. The Ifather was a stone mason ard cutter in which
trade he was very proficient. In 1855 he came with his family
to America, and located at Madison, where he continued to work at
his trade until his death, which occurred in 1888. He was a member
of the Methodist Episcopal church and his wife was an Episcopalian.
She died in 1895. They had the following children: John, deceased;
Joseph, the subject of this sketch ; Eleanora, deceased, and Ann.
Joseph Pearson was educated in the public schools of Dane county,
after which he learned the trade of stone cutter with his father. He
then removed to the farm where he now lives and later started the
dairy, which he still operates in connection with a general farming
business. He keeps forty cows and has one of the best appointed
dairies in the state. Tn politics Mfr. Pearson is a Republican, though
in local matters he votes for the man he considers the best calculated
to discharge the duties of the office for which he is a candidate. He
is a member of the Presbyterian church and -a cons:stent practitioner
of the precepts of his faith. On April 26, 1877. lie married Gertrude
Jenkins, daughter of Lewis H. and Adelia T. Jenkins, both natives
of the state of New York, he of Columbia and she of St. Law-
rence county. They came to Dane county in 1854', bought a tract of
land and improved it. Lewis H. Jenkins was one of the first super-
intendents of the deaf and dumb asylum at Delavan. Wis., started the
deaf and dumb institute at Omaha, and was also the founder of the
one at Little Rock. Ark. Subsequently he was connected with

BIOGRAPHICAL. 699

the school for the deaf and dumb at Jacksonville, III., for eleven
years. Altogether he followed that line of work for twenty-five years,
spending his summers at his home in Dane county. He died in
March, 1884, and Ins widow is now living- with the subject of
this sketch. Mr. Pearson and his wife have four children, Louis M.,
Joseph, Annie and Ralph J. Louis M. is a graduate of the Rush
Medical College at Chicago, and is now located at 1517 Lincoln Ave.
in that city, where he is engaged in the practice of his profession. Jo-
seph is a farmer and dairyman in Dane county. He married Louisa
Albright and they have one son Melvin A. The other two children
are at home with their parents. Mr. Pearson is a member of the An-
cient Order of United Workmen, which is the on.v secret or fraternal
organization to claim his affiliation. He is regarded as one of the suc-
cessful men of the community, and his success is due entirely to his
energy and sound judgment.

Milton F. Peck, the owner of a large farm at Marshall, Wis.,
came to Dane county when he was eighteen years old. William H.
Peck, his father, was a native of Connecticut and was born near Salem
June 15, 1814. William H. Peck married Miss Lomira White, who
was born in Genesee county, X. Y., February 10, 1816. Three child-
ren were born to them, of whom but two, Milton F., the subject of this
sketch, and Sarah M., are living. In 1850, the family came from Jack-
son county, Mich, to Dodge county, Wis. and lived there part of one
year. Their next home was in Marquette county and in 1867 Mr.
Peck purchased an eighty-acre farm in Dane county, near Marshall.
In 1882 they again changed their residence, at this time locating at
Sun Prairie. Here Mr. Peck died in November, 1896, and his wife
survived him but a few months. Milton F. Peck was born in Jackson
county, Mich.. December 29, 1849, attended school in his native dis-
trict and again in Dane county and early began to work upon the
farm. His present home, a fine farm of one hundred fifty-two acres-
includes the tract which was the first home of the family in Dane
county, to which Mr. Peck has added many improvements. He makes
a specialty of fine Holstein cattle, which business has interested him
for the past seven years and he keeps well posted on all that relates
to the best care and breeding of a fine grade of cattle. Mr. Peck is a
Republican in his political affiliations, as was his father before him,
but has always been too busy to give up much time to active politics.
January 11, 1882, Mr. Peck was married to Miss Lucy Kelley, a native
of Dane county and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Kelley. Six
children have been born to them: Henry Milton. November 22% 1882;
Arthur Milton, July 21. 1884: Seward B., August 21. 1885: George

700 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Newell, August 1G, 188*3 ; Jean Lomira, July 9, 1880; Olive Sarah,
August ii, 1893. The older members of the family, Henry, Arthur,
and Seward, were graduated from the high school at Marshall and
the younger ones attend the home schools. The family are mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church of Marshall.

Victor E. Peck is entitled to recognition, not only from the fact
that he has been for twenty years the proprietor of a leading hotel in
the capital city, but also because he is the oldest resident of Mladison,
having lived here continuously, with the exception of a few intervals,
since 1837. And a few words concerning his genealogy will not be
out of place in this connection. His great-grandfather was one of
three brothers, born in England, and he came to Ainerica during co-
lonial times and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. A son
of this man, Ebenezer Peck, removed from Vermont to Genesee
county, N. Y., and spent the remainder of his days on a farm in M.id-
dlebury township. His son, also named Ebenezer Peck, who was the
father of him whose name introduces this review;, was born in Gene-
see county, N. Y., in 1804, where he was reared and educated. In
1827 he removed to Vermont, was employed as a clerk in Middlebury,
that state, and on February 24, 1829, was united in marriage with Miss
Rosaline Willard. Previous to h's marriage he bad traveled in the
western country, and in 1835 he camie to Wisconsin, at that time a ter-
ritory, in company with his two brothers, Stephen and Luther, and
John Mullett, they having the contract for surveying the southern half
of the territory into townships. Ebenezer Peck returned to Vermont
in the latter part of the sumraer, but the others remained in Milwau-
kee during the winter and returned in the spring of 1836 to complete
the survey. At that time Wisconsin was a wilderness, inhabited by
Indians and wild animals, and not a house marked the now prosperous
city of Madison. Soon after reaching h's eastern home, and as soon
as he could make the necessary arrangements, Ebenezer Peck started
for the west again, accompanied by his wife and infant son, and they
made an overland journey to Blue Mounds. Wis. They spent the fol-
lowing winter at the fort at Belmont, which place was the capital of
the then territory of Wisconsin, and on April 13, 1837, they started for
the present site of Madison with teams, Mrs. Peck riding an Indian
pony a good portion of the way. The following is taken from Mrs.
Peck's account of the journey : "We traveled about seven miles, to
wheie some persons had made a cla'm and had laid about five rounds
of logs for a cabin. We camped therein that night with a tent over
us. The next day, the 14th." we pushed on. A more pleasant day I
never wish to see, but I had a severe headache before night. We

BIOGRAPHICAL. 701

pitched our tent on a little raise of ground within three miles of Mad-
ison, spread down our beds, and rested comfortably until near three
o'clock Saturday morning, when we were awakened by a tremendous
windhstorm and the howling of wolves. We found snow five or six
inches deep, which continued to fall until after we arrived in Madi-
son. Well now, here we are at Madison), on the 15th, sitting in a
wagon under a tree with a bedquilt thrown over my arm: and my little
boy's head, in a tremendous storm of snow and sleet, twenty-five
miles from any inhabitants. On one side Blue Mounds, and on the
other, — one hundred males distant, — Milwaukee. Wrhat is to be
done? Go into the buildings with no floors laid, and nothing
but great sleepers laid across to walk on? No; I must have the
buildings plastered with lime, and floors laid. Only one sawmill in
the territory, and that away up in the Wisconsin pinery and not com-
pleted. Of course no lumber ; but there lies a pile of puncheons.
Just buald me a pen under this tree, move in my stove and w:e will
crawl in there. Sure enough, we soon had it completed, and a fire
built." The location of this primitive abode was back of the Capital
House on Butler street, and the tavern, which Mr. Peck built to
board the workmen on the state's structure, and which was practically
three log cabins united;, stood upon lot 6, block 107. All the territorial
officials and workmen on the capital building boarded with Mr. Peck,
but owing to lack of room they were forced to put up tents for sleep-
ing apartmients. Mr. Peck was soon elected county commissioner and
justice of the peace, but in 1842 he again started westward and set-
tled in that part of the Baraboo valley which is now Sauk county,
where he was among the pioneer settlers. He assisted in the organi-
zation of that county, secured a tract of government land which he
proceeded to improve, and located the county seat at Baraboo upon
land belonging to his preemption. He remained there seven years,
and in 1849 started with ox teams for California, but was last heard
of at Fort Laramie,. j?nd it is supposed that he was killed by Indians.
The mother continued to reside in Baraboo and lived the rema'nder
of her clays there. Two children were born to these parents, one of
whom is the subject of this review, and the other was a daughter, who
was the first white child born in what is now the city of Madi-
son. Her birth was a great event in the new settlement, a committee
convening, O'f which Governor Doty was a member, to name the child,
and the name Victoria Wisconsonia was selected. She married X. W.
Wheeler of Baraboo. who formerly practiced law in Chippewa Falls,
an'd later removed to Baraboo, where he died. Victor E. Peck, the
subject of this sketch, was born in Middlebury, Genesee county, X. Y.,

702 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

April 25, 1834, and was reared to farm life. He first attended
a school in Madison, which was held in a log schoolhouse where the
First National hank -building now stands ; then a school at Baraboo,
and he also attended one term at the University of Wisconsin.
There was no railroad in Sauk county for a number of years after the
family settled there, and for a considerable time he was engaged in
teaming from Baraboo to Madison and other points. On February
12, 1864, he enlisted for the Civil War, in Company C, Third Wiscon-
sin cavalry. After performing picket and guard duty in Arkansas,
the winter of 1864-5 being spent in scouting, guarding trains, patrol-
ing the roads in the country surrounding Little Reck, and skirmishing
with guerrillas and bushwhackers. Company C was stationed at Fort
Leavenworth, Kan., where it remained until October 23, 1865, and
then was mustered out. After returning home Mr. Peck was engaged
in farming for a time, going to Milwaukee in 1869, where he took
charge of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul dining hall, and he re-
mained there until 1884, with the exception of one year spent in Colo-
rado. In that year he took charge of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St.
Paul Railway Hotel at West Madison, where lie continued until two
years ago. He now conducts a hotel in Watertown, Wis., but main-
tains his residence in Madison, where he owns a home at No. 109 East
Johnson street. In his political views our subject is independent, giv-
ing his support to men and measures as they meet the approval of his
better judgment, and in his social relations he is a member of the
Royal Arcanum. Mr. Peck married, November 13, 1879, to Miss
Mary L. Gary, daughter of Alonson and Emily (Gill) Cary, both na-
tives of the state of New York, where Mrs. Peck was also born. Mr.
and Mrs. Peck are the parents of one daughter, Rubv E., who is the
wife of John C. Corscot, the latter being connected with the Madison
Gas & Electric company.

Eli Pederson, a substantial and exceptionally well known farmer
of the town of Primrose was born in Vosseyangen, Bergen Stift, Nor-
way, July 26, 1837, and at the age of fourteen came with his parents,
Peter and Susan (Ileson) Oleson te> the United States, locating first in
the town of Norway, Racine county. Here the family remained for
two years and then the father took up a quarter section of govern-
ment land in the town of Primrose. There were four sons in the fam-
ily Ole, Eli, Knudt and Louis, and after the death of the parents, the
father passing away in 1864 and the mother in 1871, the property re-
verted to Eli, the subject of this sketch, who had been working the
farm since the completion of his scholastic work in the town of Nor-
way schools. For nearly forty years Mr. Pederson has been opera-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 703

ting the farm adding to it from time to time until it now contains
some four hundred acres of the best improved land in the county.
He has devoted especial attention to tlu scientific breeding and rais-
ing of hogs and sheep and the results have been highly gratifying,
not only in a remunerative way, but also for the scientific value. Dur-
ing all the years of his active life Mr. Pederson has been interested in
politics, his affiliations being with the Republican party. He has
served his town as supervisor and for twenty-four years was its asses-
sor. For eight years he was chairman of the Republican county com-
mittee and during the La Follette administration was for four years
state treasury agent. He assisted in the taking of the eighth national
census, in 1880, and was elected to the first biennial session of the state
legislature, in 1883, representing the fourth assembly district of Dane
county. He has also served the town as chairman, was twelve years
school clerk and thirteen years school treasurer. In 1857 Mr. Peder-
son married Anna Peterson, a daughter of Peter Erickson, one of the
early Norwegian immigrants to Reck county, who located there in
1844. To Mr. and Mrs. Pederson have been born six children, —
Belle (Mrs. Wallen), Susan (Mrs. Myrland), Peter and Eli, living in
Dakota, Anna (Mrs. Nelson) and Louise, deceased. All were edu-
cated in the Primrose schools and like the mother are communicants
of the Lutheran church.

Bernhard Severin Peterson is a farmer of the township of Wind-
sor and was born in Norway, April 27, 1853, son °f Anders and Maren
(Steanson) Peterson. Mrs. Maren Peterson was the second wife of
Anders Peterson and died in Norway in 1866. Her husband married
again, his wife being Randine Peterson and with her he came to the
United States in 187 1 and purchased property in Stoughton, where he.
resided for two> years. His next home was in Taylor county, Wis.,
where he resided for sixteen years. He lives at present in North Da-
kota, where Mrs. Peterson died in November, 1903. Six children
made up the Peterson family and all were reared in the Lutheran faith.
Mr. Peterson is a member of the Republican party, to whose princi-
ples his son Bernhard also- adheres. Bernhard S. was educated in the
home schools in Norway and taught himself the English language
after his arrival in America. When his father came to Wisconsin,
Bernhard was nineteen years of age and he at once interested himself
in farming. In 1885, he purchased the farm in Windsor which is his
present home, a fertile property of one hundred sixty acres. Mr. Pet-
erson improved it, built the present buildings and has raised tobacco
for twenty-eight years. He still is an extensive grower of tobacco,

704 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

besides devoting attention to other branches of the farming business.
Actively interested in school matters, Mr. Peterson is a member of the
school board and has been for a considerable period. Mrs. Peterson
was, before her marriage, Miss Sigred Helena Kalland, was born in
Norway, April 1, 1860, and married to Mr. Peterson on February 19,
1879. Nine children have blessed the marriage: Marie C, Sina D.,
Anders, Bennie, Sophie, Anna, Herman, Rebecca and Clara. The
family is identified with the Sun Prairie Norwegian Lutheran church.
Airs. Peterson's father was Sjur Kalland, who was born in Norway,
and there married Miss K\arie Olson, with whom he came to America
in 1872 and located at Stoughton, where he died November 19, 1898.
Mrs. Kalland died February 1, 1904. Four daughters and two sons
made up their family, of whom all but one daughter are still living.

Charles C. Peterson is the owner of a valuable farm of three hun-
dred and fifty-three acres in the town of Rutland. A native of Den-
mark, he came to America with his parents, Peter and Caroline Christ-
enson, when a boy of eight years. Peter Christenson and his wife
were born near Maribo, Denmark, were married there and commenced
their married life upon a farm. In 1869 they came with their young
family to Wisconsin and located upon a farm of sixty acres in the town
of Rutland. Four children were born to them. Charles is the oldest
son; Christiana is Mrs. Martin Mason of Oregon, Wis.; Augusta mar-
ried Peter Oleson of Rutland, who purchased the old Christenson farm
and with whom Air. Christenson makes his home. Hannah is the
wife of Reinholt Rasmunson of Oregon. Charles C. Peterson was
born on the farm near Maribo, May 4, 1861, came west with his parents
and attended school at Rutland, working meanwhile upon the farm.
When he was sixteen years old he commenced to work out and later
rented a farm. The first property he owned was an eighty acre farm
about a mile west of Brooklyn and he worked it for four years, selling
at a good profit. He then purchased his present place, consisting at
that time of one hundred and ninety-three acres in section 32. It was
known as the Allsop farm and to it he has added from time to time un-
til now his farm consists of three hundred and fifty-three acres. Many
improvements have also been made and the farm equipment is excep-
tionally good. About nine acres of tobacco, one hundred acres of
corn, twenty-five acres of hay and forty to sixty acres of oats are raised,
besides much fine stock. Mr. Peterson was married August 30, 1883
to* Miss Katie Hansen, a native of Denmark and daughter of Hans J.
and Anna Marie Hansen. Mr. Hansen died in Denmark and his wife
was married a second time, her husband being Andrew Ibesen. They

BIOGRAPHICAL. 705

came to Wisconsin in 1879 and located in Rutland. Mr. and Mrs.
Peterson have had ten children: Leslie, Arthur W., Victor, Holley,
Clara Louise, Mabel Caroline, Harvey, and H. Marie. Clara Louise
died in 1905 and two children died in infancy. The family attends the
Danish Lutheran church in Rutland. Mr. Peterson is a Republican
and takes an active interest in everything which concerns the welfare
of the community. He is interested in school affairs and has served
several terms on the school board. He is associated with the chapter
of Modern Woodmen at Brooklyn.

Hans and Ole Peterson are natives of Denmark, the former born
February 11, 1848, and the latter, October 5, 1842. Their parents
were Peter and Catherine (Jenson), who owned and worked
a small farm in cheir native country and lived and died there.
They had a family of five sons and two daughters, of whom, beside
the two living in Oregon, there are still two sons and both of the
daughters living in Denmark. Both Ole and Hans left school
when they reached the age of fourteen years and began working
for themselves, farming and working by the month as opportunity
offered. In 1877, when Hans was twenty-nine years of age, he
came to America and settled in Oregon where for five years he
worked in a brick-yard. In 1881 his brother Ole joined him and
together they bought an improved farm of one hundred and twenty
acres, which they have worked in partnership for twenty years. It
is run as a general farm. Mr. Hans Peterson joined the Lutheran
church in his native country, and the family affiliate with that
church here. He is a Republican in politics. His brother, Ole,
married, March 12, 1885, Miss Kerstine Rasmusson, daughter of
Rasmus and Karren (Mickolson) Nelson, and a native of Denmark.
Hans Peterson is a retired farmer of the town of Rutland and an
old resident of Dane county. He was born at Tunsberg, Norway,
where his father, Peter, was a blacksmith and spent his entire life.
Peter married in Tunsberg and he and his wife, Julia, had six chil-
dren, of whom three came to America. Hans Peterson was born
December 9, 1827. attended the common schools in Norway and
learned the shoemaker's trade. In 1854, he came to the United
States and located in Oregon. For several years he was a mer-
chant in Stoughton and in 1871 purchased a farm of one hundred
and forty acres in Rutland which is his present home. But little
of the farm was under cultivation and Mr. Peterson cleared and
improved it and carried on a successful farming business. In
October, 1853, he marired Miss Martha Thompson, a daughter of
Tolaf and Julia (Sylvester) Thompson, of Sogen, Norway. Mr.
45 — iii

706 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

and Mrs. Thompson always lived in Norway but their seven chil-
dren came to America. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson adopted a daugh-
ter, who married John J. Anderson and died at the age of thirty-
three years, leaving three children ; Hattie, Ella and Carl. Mr.
Anderson has taken charge of the Peterson farm since 1886 and
lives with Mr. Peterson. John J. Anderson was born in Primrose,
Wis., in 1857, spent his boyhood in Primrose and while quite a
young man married Miss Caroline Peterson. After her death he
married Miss- Hansen and two children were born to the marriage,
Sadie and Michael. Mr. Anderson is a Republican and active in
the affairs of the town. He is a member of the Lutheran church
of Stoughton.

M. A. Peterson, of Oregon, is a native of Denmark, son of Peter
and Dorothea (Hanson) Mortenson, who were farmers in the old coun-
try and, a few years since, died in their native land. Four of their six
children are living and all but two came to the United States; one
daughter, Elizabeth, still lives in Denmark, and one son, Hans C,
died there. Beside the subject of this sketch, there are Peter H. Peter-
son, of Oregon; Martin Peterson, of Kansas City; and the youngest,
Jorgen, who died in Kansas City. The children all received their
education in Denmark. Mr. M. A. Peterson was born June 2.J, 1843,
came to this country in 1865, when he was twenty-two years old and
settled in Rutland, turning his hand to whatever work presented itself.
He worked out by the month for about fifteen years and then bought
a farm of one hundred and fourteen acres of improved land; that prop-
erty he sold about ten years ago, and bought a hundred and sixty acres
of improved land in the town of Oregon, which is run for general
farming purposes. During his residence in both townships Mr. Peter-
son served as supervisor on the town boards. Three years ago he re-
tired from active labors which began when he was only fourteen years
of age, and now makes his home in the village of Oregon. In politics,
Mr. Peterson affiliates with the Republican party and in religious mat-
ters with the Lutherans. His wife died January 10, 1901 ; she was
Miss Christiana Mortenson, daughter of Nels Mortenson, of Denmark.
Mrs. Peterson was born in Denmark, and came to the United States
when she was twenty years old: she married Mr. Peterson, Novem-
ber 1, 1880, in Rutland township. They have four children: Frank,
born in Dunn township, who lives on the home farm; May, born in
Rutland, married Mr. I. W. Drechi; Mabel and Lillie, the former
born in Rutland and the latter in Oregon, are at home. The children
were all educated in the schools of Rutland and Oregon.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 707

Nels Peterson, of Oregon, is the only son of Claus Peterson, a
small farmer of Denmark. His mother was Jeriune (Jetson)
Peterson, and he has four sisters, Sophia, of Madison ; Maria, (Mrs.
Antonson ) of Denmark ; Lena, (Mrs. Emery Nelson) of Oregon
township; Caroline. (Mrs. Carl Xelson) of Oregon township, who
were all born and educated in Denmark. Nels Peterson, also born
in Denmark, June 15, 18G6, and educated there, started out foi
himself when he was eighteen years of age, and coming to the
United States, settled in Oregon where he has spent most of the
subsequent time, with the exception of two years when he lived in
Baraboo, and worked as fireman for the C. & N. W. R'y., and one
year when he lived in St. Paul. He owns eighty-five acres of
cultivated land and has made considerable improvement on the
place since he purchased it. It is run as a general farm, although
he devotes a good deal of attention to dairying and hog raising.
June 1, 1895, he married Miss Minnie Madson, daughter of Ras-
mus and Maren (Anderson) Madson, of Oregon township. Mrs.
Peterson and her parents are all natives of Denmark; they came
to America in 1878, and after spending a year in Rock county, Wis.,,
came to Oregon township, Dane, where they still live. Mr. and
Mrs. Peterson have two children George Walter and Robbie Clar-
ence, both born in Oregon township and now attending school
there. Mr. Peterson is an independent in his politics ; he attends
the Lutheran church, is a member of the school board, and belongs
to the Modern Woodmen of Oregon.

Peter H. Peterson is recognized as one of the leading tobacco
growers of the town of Oregon, where he has liv'ed during the past
forty years. He is a native of Denmark and the date of his birth is
November 7, 1845, ms parents being Peter Mortenson and Dorothea
Hanson, both of whom were born in Denmark and died there. Peter
H. Peterson received his education in the schools of h"s native land,
and upon reaching man's estate, in 1866, he migrated to America,
coming directly to Dane county, where he worked as a farm hand
for about three years. He then purchased two hundred eight acres of
land in the town of Oregon, a very small portion of which was under
cultivation, and began general farming. In the beginning he raised a
very little corn, cultivating it with one horse and the old-fashioned
"double-shovel plow," and the greater part of his arable land was de-
voted to the raising of small grain. He then had never seen any to-
bacco grown, but he soon turned his attention to that particular fea-
ture of the agricultural indusry and became one of the most extensive
producers of the leaf in that section of the county. Success has

708 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

crowned his efforts in every venture, and his present independent posi-
tion is due entirely to an unflagging industry, coupled with a policy of
integrity and square dealing. He has had no' financial assistance from
any source, arriving as he did in America without a cent, and even be-
ing in debt for his passage over the ocean. He has given his un-
divided attention to his business and has never wandered after myths
in other fields of endeavor. The desire for official position has never
possessed him, although he has taken the interest of a good citizen ?n
public affairs. His allegiance, politically, has been given to the men
and measures of the Republican party, and his religious faith is ex-
pressed by membership in the Lutheran church. He has never mar-
ried. Of the Peterson family there were six children, the names and
other information concerning' whom are appended : Elizabeth resides
in her native land, Denmark ; Martin A. is given a more extended men-
tion on another page of this volume; Peter H. is the subject of this re-
view ; Martin resides in Kansas City, Mo. ; and Hans Clausen and
Jorgen are both deceased.

Samuel Alex. Peterson, a leading blacksmith and prominent of-
ficial of the village of Stoughton, where he has made his home the
greater part of his life, was bora in the city of Madison, October 6,
i860. He is one of four sons born to Andrew and Torena (Nende)
Peterson, both of the parents being natives of Norway. Andrew Pet-
erson came to the city of Madison in i860, and when he arrived a five-
dollar gold piece represented the sum total of his wealth, aside from
the wearing apparel of the family. But being a skilled workman at the
blacksmith trade he soon obtained employment, and for the ensuing
ten years he followed that occupation, for a time in Madison and then
in the village of Stoughton. In 1870 he moved from Stoughton to
Whitewater, in Walworth county, Wis., and there followed the occupa-
tion of a farmer until his death, December 24, 1904. In agricultural
pursuits he was very prosperous and succeeded in accumulating con-
siderable wealth. The mother still lives at Whitewater in the enjoy-
ment of a comfortable old age. Before leaving Norway Andrew
Peterson served by compulsion for a time as a private in the Norwe-
gian army. Samuel A. Peterson, to whom this review is especially
dedicated, was educated in the public schools of Stoughton and White-
water, and upon reaching manhood learned the trade of blacksmith-
ing under the tutorship of his father and C. L. Haw of Stoughton.
TTc has followed his chosen profession unintermittently. and as a re-
sult of his close application to business now owns and conducts one of
the leading establishments of the kind in Stoughton, employing from
five to seven men all the time, and doing all kinds of new and repair

BIOGRAPHICAL. 709

work in his line. Mr. Peterson is a Republican in his political affili-
ations, and his sterling worth as a citizen has been recognized by his
being called to fill various positions of trust. He served as president
of the village council for four years, as alderman nine years, and is
now serving in the highest office of the village — that of mayor, to
which he was elected in 1904 for a term of two years. In religious
matters he is a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Peterson was
married on July 14, 1880, to Miss Anna Thompson, daughter of Torb-
jorn and Engebore Thompson, both of whom were natives of Norway.
To Mr. and Mrs. Peterson there have been born two children, son and
daughter, who already give much promise of future, standing in life.
Alfred Theodore, the eldest, born, January 10, 1882, was educated in
the academy at Stoughton, and Irene Juliett, born August 5. 1885, is
a graduate of the high school and is at present a student in the Wiscon-
sin Business College at Janes ville. As an unusual instance in the mat-
ter of longevity it should be stated in connection with the ancestral
history of Mr. Peterson that his maternal grandfather died in Norway,
in June. 1905, at the advanced age of one hundred two years.

William J. Petherick, deputy clerk of the state supreme court, and
one of Dane county's substantial pioneer citizens, was born in
London, England, June 7, 1843. His parents were William and
Rosina Ann (Atchleyj Petherick. The father, who was an attor-
ney of London, was born March 4, 1803, and came to the United
States in 1849. His arrival in Madison was on December 6. of
the same year. He located on a farm in the northwestern part of
the town of Sun Prairie, where he resided until 1853, when he pur-
chased forty acres on section sixteen in the town of Madison.
Here he remained until his death, which occurred August 13, 1873.
He obtained a license to practice law in the state and Federal
courts^ and was a man of broad culture. His wife, born June. 23.
1808, died March 23, 1888. Both were members of the church of
England. The subject of this sketch was the fifth of the six chil-
dren in the family. Jane, the eldest, now Mrs. William Welch,
resides in Minneapolis, Minn. Rosina B., now the wife of Cyrus C.
Lahore, for many years a resident of Sun Prairie, now makes her
home in Webster, Kas. Miss Ada Emma makes her home with
Mrs. Welch in Minneapolis. Susannah Louisa is the widow of
William T. Marchant, and resides in London, Eng. Edward R.,
the youngest, resides in Madison. William J. Petherick was edu-
cated in the district schools of Dane county. After completing
his scholastic work he went into the office of the State Journal

710 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Printing Company to learn the trade and for nearly twenty-five
years was connected with that publication. Because of ill health
he was at one time obliged to give up his labors and took a trip to
his native land and spent a few months in the law office of Welch
& Botkin. In 1889 he was appointed to his present position as
deputy clerk of the supreme court. During the centennial cele-
bration in 1876 Mr. Petherick attended for three weeks, going
thence on his visit to England. Although he was gone thirteen
months. He is unmarried. Although not a member of any re-
ligious organization he is a regular attendant at the services of the
Unitarian church of Madison. Mr. Petherick is a gentleman of the
old school, intelligent and cultured. He is much esteemed by all
who know him.

John Pflaum, Sr., is one of the honored German-American citi-
zens of Dane county, where he has maintained his home for nearly
sixty years. He came to this section as a young man and has
won success through his well directed efforts in connection with
the development of the agricultural resources of Dane county,
his fine farm being located in section 15, Blooming Grove town-
ship. He has attained the age of four score years and is now liv-
ing practically retired from active labor, though his characteristic
vigor and his well preserved energies enable him to enjoy the
general supervision of his farming interests. Mr. Pflaum was
born in Baden-Baden, Germany, where his parents. Jacob and
Katie (Cromer) Pflaum, passed their entire lives, the father having
been a soldier in the command of the great Napoleon. Mr. Pflaum
was afforded the advantages of the excellent schools of his father-
land during his boyhood and early youth, and he then learned the
weaver's trade, to which he there devoted his attention from 1840
to 1845, while in 1817 he immigrated to America, believing that
in the United States were afforded better advantages for the young
man dependent upon his own resources. He came at once to
Dane county and began farming in the vicinity of his present Home-
stead, having ever since continued his residence in the township.
He assisted in reclaiming much land from the virgin wilds and
has well played his part as a pioneer, as has he also in the later
days of opulent prosperity and advancement. His farm comprises
sixty-five acres, and the place is improved with substantial build-
ings and is under effective cultivation. His two sons own adjoin-
ing tracts, which were originally a part of his estate. Mr. Pflaum
maintains an independent attitude in political matters, supporting
men and measures rather than being restrained by close partisan

BIOGRAPHICAL. 711

lines. He and his family are communicants of the German Catho-
lic church. In 1850 Mr. Pflaum was united' in marriage to Miss
Margaret Sheets, daughter of George Sheets, a native of Germany,
and they have four children, Katie, who is now the wife of Thomas
Kirschener and resides in the state of Michigan ; Louisa, who is the
wife of Henry Hinsey of Madison ; John. Jr., whose farm adjoins
that of his father ; and Peter, who is likewise a farmer of this town-
ship, his place lying contiguous to that of his father. Peter is mar-
ried and has one child.

Edward C. Pierce, the present incumbent of the office of clerk in
the town of Primrose, was born in Ridgefield, Huron county, Ohio,
January 6, 1855. He is a son of Joseph L. and Clarissa (Prentiss)
Pierce, the former a native of Massillon, Ohio, and the latter of Erie
county in the same state. The parents' marriage occurred in Ohio
and after a few years they removed to Warren, 111., where the father
owned and managed a drug store having charge of tht express and
post offices at the same time. Their residence in Illinois extended
from 1855 to the fall of 1868. It was from here that the father enlisted
as private in Company H, of the Nnety-sixth Illinois Volunteer In-
fantry and served three years to the close of the war, during which
time he was promoted to the position of captain. In December, 1868,
Joseph L. Pierce brought his family to Dane county, locating on a
farm through which passed the dividing line of Springdale and Prim-
rose townships. His place contained one hundred and forty eight
acres and he lived on it until his death on January 8, 1895. His widow
died April 2, 1898. The family contained two other sons; Byron W.,
is now a resident of Montana; and George H. lives in New Glarus,
Green county, Wis. The subject of this sketch, the eldest son, took
advantage of what educational opportunities the graded schools of
Warren and Mt. Vernon offered, and then went to farming. His
father's property reverted to him and he is the present owner of it.
He has made it one of the most remunerative properties in the county.
In political matters he upholds the principles of the Republican party
and as the representative of that body is now town clerk. He is also
serving as school clerk. As a boy he was brought up in the Method-
ist faith, but has never become a member of any denominational so-
ciety. Mr. Pierce is unmarried. He is actvely identified with Mount
Vernon camp, No. 3018, Modern Woodmen of America. Throughout
the neighborhood he is recognized as a skillful farmer and a man well
equipped to hold public office.

712 ■ HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

G. F. Pierce, of Verona, was born on the farm where he now re-
sides, September 12, 1846. His parents were J. H. and Providence
(\ roman) Pierce, the former a native of Connecticut and belonging
to one of the old New England families, and the latter born in New
York, of a family originally belonging to New jersey and of Dutch
extraction. J. H. Pierce was, in earlv li'fe, a carpenter and joiner.
and on coming to Wisconsin in 1844, he located first in Milwaukee and
worked at his trade; in 1845, lne came to Dane county and settled in
Verona township, bought the farm on which his son now resides, and
followed that occupation until his death, September 2i, 1873, at the
age of seventy-five years. He held a number of local offices and was
an old-time Whig and Republican. His wife survived him over
twenty years, dying July 2, 1894, aged eighty-one years. They had
five children. Only one, the subject of this cketch, is living; he was
the fourth child. The others were Mary, Wakeman, George, who
enlisted in Company A, Twenty-third Wisconsin infantry, and died
during the Civil War, from fever, near Vicksburg, Miss. ; and War-
ren W. G. F. Pierce was reared on the farm and educated in the
district school ; his farm is run for general farming, dairying and
stock-raising. He has served on the town board and on the school
board for nineteen years ; he cast his first vote for Lincoln and has
consistently voted that ticket ever since. He was married December
2, 1870. to Emily E. Williams, a native of Vercna, Oneida county,
N. Y., and a resident of Verona, Wis. She is the daughter of
Abraham and Clarissa (Cook) Williams, both natives of New York ;
the father died in New York before the rest of the famfily came west
in 1 861. To Mr. and Mrs. Pierce have been born four children, Flor-
ence Mary, a teacher at home; Nellie, diedi aged eight years; Blanche,
married Charles Adams, of Fitchburg; Alice, a teacher at home.

William F. Pierstorff, president of the bank of Middleton. is of
German origin, his parents, Carl Pierstorff and Catherine Puretortt,
nee Bramer. being natives of Mecklenburg, Germany. There
their son William was born June 30, 1849, one of a family of four-
teen children. In 1857, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Pierstorff brought
their family to America and located at Middleton, where they
purchased a farm. Mr. Pierstorff was a blacksmith by trade but
devoted a great deal of his time to his farms. He owned and
farmed a fine tract at Springdale, where he lived five years, and
subsequently one at Verona. Returning to Middleton in 1887, he
died in 1889, aged seventy-nine, his wife having entered into rest
in 1868, aged fifty-six. Mr. Wm. Pierstorff has always been a
public-spirited man and prominent in civic affairs in the communi-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 713

ties in which he lived, in politics a Democrat. .He received his
education in the public schools of Dane county, remained at home
until 1871, when he went on a prospecting trip through Montana,
Idaho, Utah and Nebraska, but returning to the home farm at
Verona, he worked it for about a year. Finding a business career
more to his taste than farming he opened a hotel at Verona and
afterward kept a general store. In 1884 he was elected sheriff
of Dane county and came to Middleton to live, engaging in the
lumber business, to which he has added that of dealer in coal, wood,
lime and cement. The village of Middleton owed much to Mr.
Pierstorff's services as president, chairman of the town ten years,
supervisor of assessments of Dane county three years, and super-
visor of village school directors seventeen years. He is a member
of the Masonic Blue Lodge, No. 180 ; of Chapter No. 2177 of the
Modern Woodmen and of the I, O. O. F. and Mrs. Pierstorff is a
valued member of the Eastern Star. The county board in 1905
appointed him to correct the records of Dane county of vacating
the streets in village highways in the county. In September,
1876, Mr. Pierstorff was married to Miss Mary Prien, daughter
of John Prien. Both have been constant and loyal supporters of
the Lutheran church. Their five children are all living. The first
son, William H., is cashier of the Middleton bank. His wife be-
fore her marriage was Miss Alice Loppley of Middleton, and they
have one child, a daughter, Velva. The next two sons, George B.
and Frank L., are with their father in the lumber business at Mid-
dleton and the two youngest children, Marie and Aldro, remain at
home. All the children were educated in the Middleton grade and
high schools and the sons attended business college.

Silas U. Pinney, belonged to that brilliant coterie of pioneer law-
yers which rendered the early Madison bar among the most famous
in the country. His childhood advantages were few, — simply those
afforded by the primitive conditions surrounding frontier farm life.
Judge Pinney was born at Rockdale, Crawford county, Pa., March 3,
1833, son of Justin C. and Polly (Miller) Pinney. He could trace his
ancestry back to the English Pinneys who emigrated from Somerset-
shire, in 1642, and settled in Ellington, Connecticut. Members of the
family later moved to Massachusetts, and the father of this sketch was
born in Becket, that state. Aaron Pinney, the paternal grandfather,
moved to Crawford county, Pennsylvania, in 181 5. The mother of
Judge Pinney was of German descent, daughter of a prominent clergy-
man who had settled in Crawford county, in 1792. In 1846 his father

714 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

brought the family to Dane county, Wis., settling in Windsor town-
ship, where he followed the occupation of farming until his death in
1863. Young- Finney received a good common school education, and
also some private instruction, besides devoting what leisure he could
snatch from his arduous labors on his father's farm to individual study.
Fortunately 'he had plenty of books, which enabled him to develop his
early fondness for study and reading. He was endowed with a vigor-
ous mind, and had a wonderfully retentive memory. All his associ-
ates in after life recall the ease with which he could make citations by
volume and page without reference to notes or brief. He began teach-
ing school at the age of sixteen, and taught for three winters, mean-
while, devoting his spare time to the study of law which he had de-
cided to make his profession. He read law in the office of Vilas &
Remington, and was admitted to the bar in May, 1854. He formed a
partnership with L. B. Vilas and Samuel H. Roys under the firm name
of Vilas, Roys & Pinney. Judge YTilas retired from the firm in 1856
and Mr. Roys died in 1857. In 1858 was formed the partnership of
Gregory & Pinney. which endured for more than twenty-one years,
Ohauncey Abbott and James M. Flower being also associated with the
firm for brief periods in the early "6o's." In 1880 was formed the
partnership o-f Pinney and Sanborn (Mr. A. L. Sanborn being the pres-
ent United States district judge for the western district of Wisconsin).
In 1892 Mr. Pinney was elected a member of the state supreme court,
and continued to fill that important position with marked ability until
the time of his death. Judge Pinney was a lifelong Democrat, but sel-
dom sought political preferment. He did however serve his home city
and county in several positions of trust. He was city attorney in 1858;
a member of the city council in 1865 ; in 1869 an unsuccessful candi-
date for attorney-general on the Democratic ticket ; was mayor of Mad-
ison for two tennis. — 1874-76; member of the legislature during the
session of 1875. In all positions he rendered able and efficient ser-
vice. Mr. Pinney. in 1865, compiled the sixteenth volume of Wis-
consin Reports, and, as special reporter by appointment of the su-
preme court, reported and published in 1870 the decisions of the terri-
torial supreme court and of the first supreme court of the state, cover-
ing the period 1836-53, embraced in volumes 1, 2 and 3 of the Wiscon-
sin Reports. During the years 1876-83 Judge Pinney was a professor
in the University law school, where his lectures were marked by un-
usual lucidity and learning. He married Mary M. Mulliken, a native
of Farmersville, Cattaraugas county, N. Y.. March 3, 1856. Their
one son, Clarence died at the age of twenty. An adopted daughter.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 715

Bessie, also died when twenty-one years of age. As a lawyer Judge
Finney built up a large and lucrative practice, and actively paAicipated
in the i important' litigation of the state for a period of, nearly forty
years. His name appears as counsel in some eighty volumes of the
state reports, in addition to an extensive practice in the lower, state,
and in the Federal courts. His wonderful memory and his intense
powers of application and industry marked him for success. He was
especially strong in litigation involving real estate, corporation and
constitutional questions. On the bench, his trained legal mind, ex-
cellent judgement, powers of keen analysis and ability to marshal
facts have given his opinions great weight. Judge Pinney was of a
kindly and sociable temperment, and made a large circle of friends
which extended far beyond the limits of commonwealth. In every
way his character as a man and cilizen was above reproach. He died
at Madison April i, 1899, an'^ *s survived by Mrs. Pinney.

David 1ST. Piper, retired, of the town of Madison, was born near
Buffalo, N. Y., April 10, 1834. He was a son of Benjamin and Sallie
(Gault) Piper both natives of New Hampshire who went to New
York early. Benjam'n Piper came to Wisconsin in territorial times,
settling first at Milwaukee and two years later moved to Pipersville,
Jefferson county. In 1855 he came to Dane county, taking up half a
section of absolutely wild land. Here he put up a shanty and later a
frame house, in which he lived until his death at the age of lrnetv.
He was married twice, his second wife be'ng Sarah Burns, who died
in P persville. Benjamin Piper was a Republican and was postmaster
of Pipersville for a number of years. He was affiliated with the Uni-
versalist church. By his two marriages he was the father of eight
children, William who kept a store and manufactured saleratus at
Pipersville; Samuel and Benjamin who l'.ved in the same vicinty ;
Sarah, the wife of Samuel Gordon; Betsy, who married Ira Louns-
bury; Harriet, who married William ParnYter; David X., the subject
of this sketch, and the only one living, and Dollies who d'ed in infancy.
David X. Piper was educated in the district schools of Jefferson and
Dane counties. Until a few years ago he lived on the farm his father
bought on coming here in 1855, taking charge of the place for him un-
til his death. From that time until his retirement in [895 Mr. Piper
carried on diversified farming, giv'ng most of his attention to the rais-
ing of stock. Politically he is a Republican, and though never an aspir-
ant for office, was for one term assessor of his town. In 1804 Mr.
Piper married Augusta, daughter of Godfrey and Hannah Webber,
and to this marriage have been born five children, Charles E.,
Samuel A., and PToward D., in the grocery business in Madison,

716 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Annie, at home, and Alfred 1 Her in the bank of Wisconsin in Madi-
son. All the children are well educated, having- attended the Madison
high school and the University of Wisconsin. In 1895 Mr. Piper
leased his farm and moved to Madison. He retains but one hundred'
and ninety acres of the original three hundred and twenty settled by
his father in 1855.

Captain William G. Pitman has been manager of the New York
store since 1879 and may properly be designated as one of the pio-
neer business men of the city of Madison, where he has made his
home for more than half a century, and as an ever standing ex-
ponent of loyal and public-spirited citizenship. He was one of
those who went forth to honor Wisconsin through effective serv-
ice as a soldier in the Civil War, in which he rose to the command
of his company ; and in all the relations of civic life his influence
has ever been cast in support of those measures and undertakings
which make for the well-being of the community. It is but con-
sistent to ascribe to him precedence as one of the best known and
most popular business men of the capital city, with whose growth
and development he has been closely identified as a citizen and as
a man of affairs. Captain Pitman comes of sturdy Puritan stock
and is a native son of the old Bay state, having been born in New
Bedford, Bristol county, Mass., October 15, 1834, and being a son
of William R. and Esther M. Pitman, the father having been a
jeweler by vocation. Captain Pitman is indebted to the common
schools of his native state for his early educational training, which
was adequate to fortify him for the active duties and responsibili-
ties of life. When but fifteen years of age he gave inception to
his mercantile career, securing a position as shop boy in an estab-
lishment at New Bedford, Mass., gaining a thorough knowledge of
business methods and of the values of goods handled and being
advanced to positions of increasing responsibility from time to
time. In 1854 he set forth to try his fortunes in the west, making
Madison his destination and here securing employment in a dry-
goods store. In 1859 he entered the employ of the firm of Samuel
Klauber & Company, Mr. Klauber having been practically the
founder of the present New York store, since he came to Madison
from Lake Mills in 1851, and established himself in the dry-goods
business, having been one of the honored pioneer merchants of the
capital city. With the upbuilding of the business of the New
York store Captain Pitman has been closely identified, having been
connected with the concern, under the various proprietorships,
from the year 1859 to the present, and having been general mana-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 717

ger of the business since 1879, while his initiative and administra-
tive ability has been the factor of greatest importance in the de-
veloping of the large and important business now controlled by
this well-known concern. The attractive establishment is well
stocked with the most select lines of dry-goods, carpets, rugs, etc.,
occupying a substantial two-story building, which was built by
the present company in 1882, its 'unique facade being one of the
most attractive of all business blocks on the capitol square. When
the somber cloud of civil war obscured the horizon of a divided na-
tion, Captain Pitman manifested his intrinsic loyalty and patriot-
ism by tendering his services in defense of the Union. In April,

1861, he enlisted as a member of Company K, First Wisconsin Vol-
unteer infantry, in which he was made sergeant, serving with his
regiment until the expiration of his three months' term of enlist-
ment and then receiving his honorable discharge. In August,

1862, he raised a company of volunteers in Dane county, and again
went into service, being adjutant of his regiment and being finally
promoted captain of the company which he had raised, — Company
I. Twenty-third Wisconsin Volunteer infantry. In that capacity
he served until December, 1863, when he resigned his commission
and returned to Madison, having received his honorable discharge,
at New Orleans. He was a participant in the battles of Chicka-
saw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Port Gibson, Champion's Hill, Big
Black River, the campaign and engagements leading up to the
siege of Vicksburg, in which he took part, having the honor of be-
ing one of the valiant soldiers of the force which entered the
capitulated city on July 4. 1863, the siege of Jackson, and the bat-
tle of Grand Coteau. In perpetuation of the more gracious memor-
ies and associations of his military career he has identified himself
with the Grand Army of the Republic, the Loyal Legion and the
Society of the Army of the Tennessee. In politics the captain
gives his allegiance to the Republican party and while he has ever
shown a loyal interest in public affairs of a local order he has never
been animated with ambition for official preferment. He and his
family are members of Grace Protestant Episcopal church. Captain
Pitman was a member of the volunteer fire department of the city
for some twenty-five years, for ten years having been foreman of
the Hook and Ladder company. He is a member of the State His-
torical society, the Madison Horticultural Society, and the Ancient
Order of LTnited Workmen ; he is also a director of the Northwest-
ern Building and Loan Association. March 14. 1864, Captain Pit-
man was united in marriage to Miss Eugenie S. Bemis. of Madison,

718 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

and they have three daughters. Bertha S., Jennie M. and Annie M.
The eldest daughter is the wife of Prof. F. C. Sharp of the Univer-
sity of Wisconsin and the mother of two children, Malcolm P.,
aged seven, and Elliot C, two years of age. The other two daugh-
ters make their home with their father.

Morris Porter was one of the early residents of Dane county and
he and his father, Garrett Porter, have been prominent in its affairs
for many years. The family lived in Connecticut in an early day
and Garrett Porter was born in Oneida county, N. Y., January 11,
1804, was graduated in the home schools and there married Miss
Lusina Hart, who also was born in Oneida county, in 1803. Gar-
rett Porter came to York township, Dane county, Wis., in 1845,
and obtained one hundred and twenty acres of government land
which he proceeded to clear and improve, making a valuable piece
of farm property. To this he added until his farm consisted of
three hundred twenty acres of fine farm land. Garrett Porter was
an energetic and active man and did all in his power to promote
the growth of the new community. He was road supervisor and
aided in planning some of the earliest roads. He also served as
supervisor and treasurer of the town of York and was allied with
the Democratic party as is also his son Morris. Morris Porter was
born in Lodi, now Guawande, Cattaraugas county, N. Y.. Febru-
ary 1, 1832, attended school in New York and in Dane county and
assisted his father on the farm. He owns a fine farm of one hun-
dred and fifty acres and occupied himself with operating it for
many years, but is no longer actively employed in farming. He
is a Democrat and held the office of treasurer of the school district
for thirty years. He and his family are prominent in the Metho-
dist Episcopal church, as were his parents. April 26, 1857, Mr.
Porter married Miss Orzelia C. Fuller, daughter of Chester and
Caroline (Nash) Fuller, who came to Dane county from Illinois in
1845. Mr. and Mrs. Porter have two sons, both of whom were
educated in the home schools. The oldest son, Chester G., resides
in Wauwatosa and is reporter in the circuit court of Milwaukee.
Edgar M. is train despatcher employed by the South Shore &
Atlantic railroad and makes his home in Marquette, Mich.

William Henry Porter, (deceased), was born at Wenham, Essex
county, Mass., November 10, 1830. The direct genealogical line as
preserved in the family records is, John Porter, born in Dorset, Eng-
land in 1596, Samuel, died in 1660; John, born in Wenham, Mass.,
in 1658, died March 8, 1753; Jonathan, born September 11. 1696,
died October 8, 1759; Tyler, (M. D.,) born in Wenham, 1730, died

BIOGRAPHICAL. 719

January 27. 1811; Jonathan, born April 28, 1 T 7 1, died September.
1862 ; William F.. born in Wenham, April 18, 1806. died in Jack-
sonville. Fla.. November 20, 1878 ; William Henry, born in Wen-
ham, November 10, 1830, died at Marshall, Wis., August 26. 1905;
James H., born in Marshall, October 4. 1879. The parents of W. H.
were W. F., born in Wenham, Mass., April 18, 1806, and Clarissa
(Lummus) Porter, born at Union. Ale., in 1798. He came of
sturdy New England stock being the eighth in descent from John
Porter, one of the early New England colonists , to whom was
granted land near Boston, and of whom it was written, "he was a
man of energy and influence, became a large land owner, held
many official positions, and was deputy to the general court."
The great grandfather of Air. W. H. Porter, Dr. Tyler Porter, was
a physician, an eminent citizen, and distinguished as a patriot in
the Revolutionary War ; his father, William F. Porter, was a man
of enterprise and spirit, and resided in Alassachusetts until the
spring of 1856, when with his only son. William H., he came to
Dane county. Wis. He settled first in the town of Burke and later
removed to Aladison, where for several years he was interested in
large real estate operations, both in the city and in the adjacent
towns. In 1860, in company with Samuel Marshall, he purchased a
tract of land lying in and around the village of Marshall. In 1865,
he returned to Alassachusetts, and settled at Brighton, near Bos-
ton, and this was his home for the remainder of his life, although
failing health necessitated spending his winteis in Florida. He
died there, at Jacksonville, November 20, 1878, leaving a widow,
his second wife, and an only son. It was said of him, "in all rela-
tions of life he was a good citizen and in the highest sense of the
phrase, an honest man." The subject of th-is sketch was educated
in the common schools, and later in Lawrence academy, of Groton,
Alass. He came to Wisconsin with his father in the spring of 1856,
and became a permanent resident of Alarshall in 1865. He was a
large farmer and mill-owner, holding property in partnership with
Samuel Alarshall until 1880, when he became sole owner and pro-
prietor of Alaple Avenue Farm and the Alarshall Roller Mills. He
was an ardent Republican, was post-master at Alarshall for
eighteen years, chairman of the township for thirteen years, and
member of the assembly in 1890-91. He was brought up in the
Congregational church, but was never a member of any church so-
ciety, but was always interested in the welfare and prosperity of
the various church organizations of the village and gave liberally
to their support. Air. Porter was twice married ; first to Aliss

720 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Elizabeth M. Bell, April 25, 1870, daughter of Charles E. and
Georgeanna (Currie) Bell, of Marshall. She died October 29,
1873, leaving an infant son, William Aubrey, who died September
16, 1874. On December 26, 1876, he married Miss Nettie Page,
daughter of James H. and Prusia (Thompson) Page, of Stough-
ton. Three children were born of this union, William Fairfield,
born November 20, 1877, died October 17, 1887; James H., born
October 4, 1879, who lives at home ; Charles Henry, born January
31, 1887, died August 28, 1888. Mr. Porter was one of the promi-
nent and substantial citizens of Marshall, and one of its foremost
business men who for forty years was closely allied with all the
interests of the village. He was one of the founders of Marshall
academy, and its treasurer for three years ; was a member of the
Grange, and several times its worthy master; was one of the or-
ganizers of the bank of Marshall and its first president, and was
widely and favorably known throughout the county and state.
He was a man of great force of character, of strong practical
sense ; a loyal friend, a wise counselor. His influence was always
on the side of right, of justice, of sobriety, of integrity, and for
whatever was for the highest good of the community in which he
lived. In his personal life he was the soul of honor, and his char-
acter for honesty and fair dealing was above reproach. He died
at his home in Marshall, August 26, 1905, leaving a wife and only
child, James H. One sister, Martha E. Porter, born April 1, 1833,
died January 23, 1855.

George S. Post, printing clerk in the office of the secretary of
state, was born in Dane county, June 20, 1860. He is of New Eng-
land and English ilescent, the former on the father's side, the latter on
the mother's. The father, William H. Post, is the caretaker of Chad-
bourne Hall, the woman's dormitory of the University of Wisconsin.
He came to Wisconsin before the Civil War, leaving the vocation of
fisherman, in which line he inherited his father's talent, to become a
farmer. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in Company K, Twenty-
second Wisconsin Infantry, and served with distinction for over three
years. At one time he was captured by the Confederates, but was not
long confined in prison. At the cessation of hostilities he returned to
Madison and entered the employ of the Garnhardt-Ray company, hav-
ing charge of the city lighting. He and his wife, still honored citizens
of the capital city, are members of the Congregational church. The
subject of this sketch is the eldest of their seven children, six of whom
are still living. William H. is a locomotive engineer who makes his
home in Sioux City, la. Walter G. is in the drayage business in Mad-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 721

ison, Marcilla is at home. John I. is a photographer and Lucius I.
a musician. George S. Post received his education in the public and
private schools of his home city. While still a young man he went
into the employ of the State Journal printing company to learn the
trade of printer. His service with this establishment lasted twenty-
six years until his appointment to his present position in January,
1903. On June 4, 1886, Mr. Post was united in marriage to Miss
Minnie Drover, a native of Canada and a daughter of John and Min-
nie Drover. Mr. Droyer is deceased, but his widow makes her home
in Madison. To Mr. and Mrs. Post have been born three children, —
Ethel, R.. Lillian G. and Lenna R. Both the parents are members of
the First Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Post is a member of the
Blue Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows of which latter order he is a trustee, of the Woodmen of
the World, and of the Modern Woodmen of America, — having been
presiding officer of that organization for five years, and of the Royal
Neighbors of America. Politically he is a stanch Republican, belong-
ing to the dominant wing of the party in Wisconsin.

Lawrence Post is one of the leading and trustworthy citizens of
the town of Perry, and after a varied career, the early part of which
was filled with adversity sumcient to discourage the stoutest heart, he
now lives in comparative comfort and ease, enjoying the fruits of his
own labor and the perseverance which enabled him to triumph over
difficulties. He was born in Somerset county, Perm., April 15, 1841,
his parents being George and Elizabeth Post, but he was left mother-
less at the tender age of fourteen days and fatherless when but eight
vears old. having one sister two years older than himself. After his
fathers death his step-mother married John Mergler and. in 1850.
they migrated to Dubuque, Iowa, coming to Wisconsin in the fall of
the same year, and settling in the town of Perry, Dane county. His
step-parents were very poor, and the country being new our subject
experienced a winter of great hardship and exposure, in the absence
of sufficient food and clothing. In the spring of 185 1 the family
moved to the town of Springdale and there the ten-year-old boy was
obliged to work among strangers, the compensation being his board or
a shilling per day. The following season he was hired out to Edward
Dale, in the town of Blue Mounds, for the summer months at five
dollars per month or thirty dollars for the season. There young Post
first learned to speak the English language and also to do all kinds of
farm work, but at the end of his hire he returned and gave what little
money he had earned to h:s step-parents and attended the district
school during the winter on days when there was not anything else
46 — iii

722 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

for him to do. In the spring of 1853 he again hired to his former em-
ployer, Mr. Dale, receiving ten dollars per month for the summer sea-
sun, and he took a two-year-old steer as part payment to mate, with
one that he had at home, the two later becoming a valuable yoke of
oxen. For a few years immediately following this Mr. Post remained
with his step-father and assisted in breaking new ground, the step-fa-
ther having purchased sixty acres of land in the town of Perry and
moved thoron in the spring of 1856. The following season, 1857, a
fine crop of Wheat was raised, and as Madison had risen to the dignity
of a railroad station it afforded a market for that cereal. Money was
much needed by the family, but as they had no wagon and the near-
est neighbor who owned a vehicle in which the grain could be trans ■
ported lived several miles away in the town of Blue Mounds, it
took five days for young Post to secure the loan of the wagon, make
the trip to Madison and then return the wagon to its owner. Forty-
eight cents per bushel was received for the wheat, which made the
compensation very meager for the time spent. But such was pioneer*
life. In the spring of 1859 young Post had a falling out with his
step-parents and leaving his home he started out determined to in-
augurate faiis independent career, with a limited school education but
an abundance of practical experiencei and self reliance. The hardest
part of the leave-taking was the parting with his only sister, who had
become the wife of Simon Keller and lived in the immediate neighbor-
hood, and whom he was destined never to see again, as she died but a
short time afterward, in April, 1859. While searching for work he
met a stranger who induced him to become a companion on a trip to
the Wisconsin pineries. The trip began on March 14, and was made
afoot by the way of Madison and Portage to Stevens Point, at which
point his companion took passage in a stage coach and left young Post
to complete the journey alone. He finally reached his destination,
wallcing forty-five miles the last day of his journey, and arriving at
nightfall, tired and hungry1, with but a three-cent piece representing
his supply of cash. To add to his discomfiture the mills all had their
full complement of men and the rafting crews had their necessary
quotas. But with his threa-cent piece he purchased a loaf of bread,
and this, together with a drink of cold water constituted his morning
meal, after which he started out in search of employment. After
working for his board several days he secured a position as cook on a
raft, with St. Louis as the destination, and his compensation for the
trip was to be sixty dollars. Reaching Fulton, 141., he accepted fifty
dollars as payment in full for his services, and taking the first steam
boat to Galena, thence walked to Mineral Point, Wis., and from

BIOGRAPHICAL. 723

there back to the town of Perry, reaching honiu in July. Soon there-
after he was taken sick with the prevailing fever and ague., and for
two months he was unablu to do anything, his money all being spent
for medical relief. After his recovery he hired cut as a farm hand
and for about a year worked for Hall Chandler, leceiving ten dollars
per month for his services. At the end of that time he was again at-
tacked with a serious illness, and after recovering went to the city of
Madison and secured lighter employment for a few months, after
which he returned and worked for Air. Chandler until the spring of
1861. After repeated attempts to enter the United States military
service, and being as often disappointed, he enlisted on April 26, 1861,
as a private in Company K of the Third Regiment Wisconsin Volun-
teer Infantry and served with that command until July 14, 1864, when
he was mustered out on account of his term of service having expired.
He first enlisted for three months, but on receipt of the news that no
further enlistments for three months would be received he promptly
enrolled himself as a volunteer for three years. The regiment was
mustered into the United States service at Fond du Lac on June 29,
and each volunteer was then given a state uniform and two months
pay at eleven dollars per month. Mr. Post received a twenty-dollar
gold piece and two dollars in change, as his portion, and he sent the
gold piece, together with a photograph of himself, to his half-brother,
John, who was then in very poor health and who died the following
year. The regiment left the state on July 12, 1861, for Hagerstown,
Md., but unfortunatelv Mr. Post was taken very ill with an attack of
measles, and he was the only member of the regiment that was left
behind. After his recovery he went to Madison and reported to the
adjutant-general, making application to be sent to his command, but
while his transportation was being made out orders came from the
government calling the Fifth Wisconsin regiment to the seat of war.
and by the request of the governor Mr. Post joined that command and
went with it to the city of Washington by the way of Harrisburg and
Baltimore. He then rejoined his regiment at Hagerstown and re-
mained with it during the summer and fall, doing guard duty along
the Potomac river. He took an active part in helping to capture
some of the legislators of Maryland and other Confederate sympa-
thizers, and he was also employed as assistant baktr for the regiment
part of the time. He was with his regiment in the Army of the
Potomac during the Shenandoah campaign and participated in the
pursuit of the enemy up the valley and in the battle of Cedar Mount-
ain, where, out of the forty-four men in his company, eighteen were
either killed, wounded or taken prisoners. Mr. Post was among the

724 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

latter, and after about six weeks imprisonment at Libby and Belle
Isle he was paroled and sent to Washington, where he was soon after-
ward exchanged. He then rejoined his regiment, in the latter part
of October, 1862, and with it took part in the battles of Chancellors-
ville, Beverly Ford and Gettysburg. After the latter engagement be
marched with his command to Warrenton Junction, Ya., and was then
on account of illness sent to Lincoln hospital at Washington, D. .C
He was never again fit for field service and the rest of his term of
service was spent in hospitals, excepting time spent at home on fur-
lough in the latter part of 1863, and he was mustered out as stated
above on July 14. 1864. On being discharged he' returned to the
town of Ferry and took charge of his step-father's farm, which he
afterward purchased, and part of the same he still owns. In the fall
of the same year he secured employment with the government and
worked for a timie as a laborer on the levy at Duval's Bluff, Ark.,
then as a cook, and was afterwards detailed as the foreman of a gov-
ernment bakery. In March, 1865, he was discharged from this service
and again came home and turned his attention to farming, which has
been his vocation since. He is a stanch Republican in his political
views and he soon became recognized as a leader of his party in the
vicinity in which he lives.. He was elected and served several terms
as overseer of highways and constable, nine years he served on the
town board as supervisor, five years as chairman of the town board
and member of the county board, over thirty-three years as justice of
the peace, eight years as notary public, and during eighteen years he
was a director of the Perry Fire Insurance Company, during
five years of which he was the secretary and treasurer of the same.
Besides these he has filled minor church and school offices. Mr. Post
was married on July 16, 1866, to Miss Mary Heller, of the town of
Perry, daughter of Mrs. Julianna Heller, a widow. This marriage was a
happy one and was blessed with seven children, four sons and three
daughters; Peter J. R. is mentioned more at length on another page
of this volume: George L. was born March 4, 1869; Marv Helena.
March 6, 1872; Frances Theresa, October 14, 1874; August, August
24, 1876: Julia Agnes, January 5, 1880; and Eugene Lawrence, Janu-
ary 5. 1883. Of these seven children four have been, public school
teachers, Peter J. R. and Julia A. teaching both English and German.
Peter J. R. and Eugene L. are graduates of the commercial depart-
ment of the Northwestern Business College at Ivfadison. The chil-
dren are all married excepting the youngest son. Eugene L.. who
manages his father's farm of one hundred and eighty acres, which is
well stocked for the dairy business. Mr. Post is also extensively en-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 725

gaged in the fruit business, having nearly four hundred bearing appla
trees, and besides he is engaged in the apiary business on quite a
large scale. As his record amply proves, our subject is a self-made
man, and it is but just to say that few men possess the respect and
confidence of their fellow men to a greater degree than does Mr. Post.
His truth and veracity were never doubted; he has always been true
to his trust and honest in his dealings, and his wise counsel and good
judgement has been a safe-guard for many a one who came to him
for advice. He has aways been noted for his liberality, kindness and
hospitality, never turning a cold shoulder to the poor and needy, but
alwavs trying to make the world better for his having lived in it.

Lewis Post, a thrifty and well-known market gardener of the
town of Madison, was born in Greene county, New York, August 14,
1848. His parents, Samual and Katie (Miller) Post were both of Ger-
man descent and were both born in New York state. In 1856 Sam-
uel C. Post gave up his business of fishing in New York and came to
Wisconsin, purchasing one hundred and forty-nine acres of land, with
a small clearing and a log house on it, in the town of Madison. He
and his son Lewis spent some years in improving the place. Besides
Lewis there were seven children in the family, only two of whom,
Charles, a carpenter, and William, 'both of Madison, are now living.
The father and the mother died on the farm. Lewis Post received his
education in the district school and attended the University of Wis-
consin for two years. At the age of thirty he started in business for
himself by renting a farm. At the end of three years he was able to
buy his present farm. In 1893, he built his home. Only thirty-seven
acres of the original one hundred and forty-nine remain, the rest hav-
ing been sold, but these thirty-seven acres comprise one of the finest
fruit and market gardens in the country. Mr. Post is also interested
in bees and supplies not a few Madison people with honey. Politi-
cally Mr. Post is a Republican. For one term he served as town treas-
urer and has held 'school offices at different times. A devout member
of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Madison, Mr. Post has
served as steward of that institution for a good many years and is at
present superintendent of one of its Sunday schools. On March 19,
1878, he married Miss Alice, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Gil-
bert, and to this marriage have been born the following children.
Carrie at home ; George G. a graduate of the University of Wisconsin,
and now an instructor in the electrical engineering course there; Edith,
Kate and Francis, all graduates of the Madison high school; Robert
and Jessie, now attending the same high school, Samuel at home and

726 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Florence deceased. Mr. Post is a hard worker and has been unusually
successful. He is a stockholder in the Wisconsin Brick company,
which started operation near his home in 1005.

Peter J. R. Post is the very efficient and popular manager and
treasurer of the People's Mercantile Association at Mt. Horeb,
and it is to his superior business acquirements and close attention
to affairs that the continued success of the enterprise is in a large
measure clue. Mr. Post was born in the town of Perry, Dane
county. Wis., November 15, 1867, and he is the eldest son of Law-
rence Post, who is given an extensive review on another page of
this volume. Our subject was reared in the town of his nativity,
and as a youth assisted his father in the cultivation of the home
farm. He received his education in the public schools and later
fitted himself for a business career by taking a course in the North-
western Business College at Madison, from which institution he
was graduated with the class of 1886. At the early age of sixteen
years he began teaching in the public schools of Dane county and
followed that occupation continuously until 1899, working on the
farm during the intervals between terms. In 1894 he removed to
the town of Berry, and while there was elected to the position of
chairman of the town board, serving as such for three years. This
fact becomes a greater tribute to his worth as a citizen when it is
stated that he was elected on the Republican ticket in a strongly
Democratic town. He purchased two hundred and thirty-nine
acres in Berry, which he still owns, but in 1900 he removed to Mt.
Horeb and accepted his present position with the People's Mercan-
tile Association, and has served continuously in that capacity,
since. Mr. Post was married on September 9, 1894, to Miss
Mary W. Karn, born in Paoli but at the time of her marriage re-
sided at Mt. Vernon, Dane county. She is the daughter of C. W
Karn, who now resides at Monroe, Wis., but who was one of the
pioneer millers of this section of the state, operating a mill at Mt.
Vernon ten years, and he now is in the same business in Monroe. To
Mr and Mrs. Post there have been born two children : Juanita,
born May 19, 1896, and Leona, born January 7, IS!)'.). Our subject
is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and his religi-
ous faith is expressed by membership in the Catholic church, of
which organization he is one of the local trustees. Tn politics, as
has been indicated, he is a Republican, and has served as chairman
of the town board in Berry and as president of the Republican
committee of Mt. Horeb. The People's Mercantile Association is
incorporated under the laws of Wisconsin and was organized for

BIOGRAPHICAL. 727

the purpose of carrying on a mercantile business. It is managed
by seven directors, chosen from among the stockholders, and the
directors in turn choose the other officials. At present the officers
of the incorporation are: President, H. B. Fargo, of Springdale ;
vice president. Frank Heuser, of Blue Mounds ; secretary. Bennett
Barton, and Mr. Post is the treasurer and manager. The corpora-
tion is capitalized at $15,000, in shares of $5, $10, and $15 each. A
model and modern general store is conducted, containing every-
thing that the term would imply, and they also carry a line of
agricultural implements, buggies, harness, etc. And they buy all
kinds of farm products.

Horace H. Potter is a well-known citizen of Cambridge and has
been a prominent member of the community for many years. The
family resided in Rhode Island, where Nicholas Potter was born
and grew to manhood. He married Zelphia Hopkins, a native of
the same state, and their older children, Horace and Louisa, were
born near Providence. About 1816 they moved to Cayuga county,
N, Y., where they spent the residue of their lives. Seven children
were born to them ; Horace, Louisa, Lucy, Emily, Orelin, Ste-
phen H. and George. Nicholas Potter lived with a sea captain
and owned a farm in Cayuga county. Horace H., the oldest son
was born near Providence, R. I., May 7, 1812, attended the com-
mon schools in Cayuga county, learned the carpenters' trade and
worked on the farm until he reached the age of twenty-one years,
when he left home and began to work for himself. September 18,
1835, he married Miss Louisa M. Howell of Hector, N. Y., and with
their young family they came to AYisconsin in 1856, locating on a
farm of eighty-seven acres at Oakland, Jefferson county. This
property they cleared and improved and Mr. Potter likewise
worked at his trade. In New York Mr. Potter was active in or-
ganizing and drilling the local branch of state militia and became a
major. He was a Whig and then a Republican. In the new home
in the west, Mr Potter never flagged in his zeal for the improve-
ment of local affairs and held many town offices. With his family
he has been associated with the Presbyterian church of which he
was also trustee. Since 1001 Mr. Potter has lived with his son in
Cambridge. Mrs. Potter died in October, 1902. eighty-six years of
age. Four children were born to them. Emily, the oldest daugh-
ter, died in October. 18-41. Edward N.. is a veteran of the twenty-
ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Company D. and resides in
Oakdale, N. D. Franklin H.. was born July 31, 1843. and died in
August. 18(5.>. He served in the First Wisconsin Heavy Artillery

728 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

and the G. A. R. Post of Cambridge is named in his honor. War-
ren K., was born in New York in 1852, was educated in Jefferson
county and lived with his parents on the farm until 1901 when they
sold the old homestead and moved to Cambridge. Until recently
AYarren Potter was employed by Sutter Bros, as manager and to-
bacco-buyer but he now owns with Daniel Scott the large grist and
flour-mill of Cambridge which has been rebuilt by them and re-
modelled to make a modern plant. Warren Potter was married
December 18, 1875, to Miss Minnie R. Sweet, daughter of New-
land Sweet and Jennie (Slagg) Sweet, of Albion, Iowa. Two chil-
dren blessed the marriage. Ray H., born April 8, 1880, is manager
for the Armour house at St. Louis. Genevieve, born in 1889, at-
tends the Cambridge high school. For a number of years Mr.
Potter has employed his spare moments in making a notable and
interesting collection of Indian treasures, which contains many
specimens of remarkable historical value.

Carl Prehn is a prosperous and well-known farmer who operates
a large stock and dairy farm near Middleton. A native of Mecklen-
burg-Schwerin, Germany, he came to America with his parents Fred-
erick and Georgia (Schultz) Prehn when he was twenty-two years old.
They were both born in Mecklenburg and lived there during their
youth and early married life. Mr. Prehn was employed in ditching
and laying drain tiles. In 1865, they embarked for America with six
children, one daughter, Caroline, remaining in Germany. Mr. and
Mrs. Prehn located in Middleton where they obtained a farm of forty
acres which they improved and made their permanent home.
Mrs. Prehn died in 1879 and her husband in 1895. Of their chil-
dren, Frederika, the oldest married John Weisse of Madison,
Wis. ; Mary and Johanna died ; Crestina is Mrs. John Luth and
Sophia is the wife of William Schulenberg of Cross Plains. Carl
was born in November, 1843, educated in Germany and assisted his
parents in clearing and working their Middleton farm for four years.
After working a rented farm for 'himself for nine years he purchased
the farm which is now his home, one hundred and sixty acres in sec-
tion 8. All of the many improvments are due to his industry and he
has an attractive and comfortable home. He is very much interested
in the prosperity of the German Lutheran church and is actively en
gaged in its work. A Democrat in political affiliations he takes no
active part in politics though he has held several offices. In 1875 he
was married to Miss Doretta Timmerman, daughter of Mr. Freder-
ick Timmerman of Mechlenburg-Schwerin and they have nine chil-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 729

dren. Mary, the oldest daughter, is Airs. William Krugler of Cot-
tage Grove, Wis. ; Minnie married William Dickman of Madison
and the others, Henry, Lena, Emma, Amelia. Clara, Elsie, and
John remain at home, the youngest children being still in school.

John S. Prescott, a successful farmer of the town of Deerfield,
was born in the town of Deerfield, December 5, 1859. His parents
were Andrew and Anna (Honve) Prescott, both natives of Norway,
the father was born in December, 1826, and the mother in Janu-
ary, 1830. Andrew Prescott came to this country in 1845, and his
wife five years later. He resided in Chicago for a time, and from
there went to Mississippi and other southern states. After a five year
sojourn in the south he came to Deerfield, bought forty acres of land,
which now constitutes a part of the farm where the son resides, mar-
ried and settled down. The subject's paternal grandparents camq
from Chicago and lived on a forty-acre tract adjoining their son's;
later they went to Cambridge and passed the remainder of their days
at the home of another son. Andrew Prescott kept adding to his
original forty until at the time of his death he had two hundred and
forty acres. Andrew and Anna Prescott were blessed with eleven
children, six of whom are now living, Christene (Mrs. A. K. Hatte-
berg), resides in the, state of Oregon; Alfred (married Mary Lee), lives
in North Dakota; John S., the subject of this sketch; William, (married
Martha Gilbertson); Martha (Mrs. M. O. Braaten), Whitewater, Wis.;
Norman, (married Mary Hattley), lives in Iowa. John S. Prescott
remained at home until he was thirty-three years old, when he bought
a portion of his father's farm and started life for himself. A brother
and himself also conducted a clothing store in Deerfield village. After
his father's death John bought out the other heirs and now owns the
entire estate. Until 1902 he 'had always been a Prohibitionist, but in
the election of that year he cast his vote with the Republicans and has
since been a stanch believer in the principles of that party. His relig-
ious affiliations are with the Norwegian Lutheran church. On Dec-
ember 28, 1901 he married Martha, daughter of Anfin and Donaat
Gjerstad) Rekve, of Rekve, Norway. Mrs. Prescott first saw the light
of day in Norway on May 13, 1879; her father was born December 11,
1850; her mother, June 18, 1856. Her education was received in the
public schools of Norway. With a sister and a brother, Mrs. Victor
Haugan and Eric Rekve, she crossed the ocean in May, 1809. The
rest of the eleven children still live in Norway. To John and Martha
Prescott have been born two children, — Adeline Deota. October 3,
1902; Alwood Alexander, November 13. 1903. Mr. Prescott is a

730 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

member of the American Society of Equity. For thirteen years the
father of Air. Prescott was postmaster at Nava, the office being" at
his house. That was before the time of Deerfield village.

August Prien is a successful farmer of Morrisonville and is of
Prussian birth. "When a young man of twenty-one years he came
to the United States with the family and lived at Watertown, Jef-
ferson county. Wis. Christian Prien. his father, was born in Prus-
sia in 1806, was educated in Germany and there marrried Miss
Dora Walter, born in Germany in 181(5. Seven children were born
to the marriage ; Sophia, the oldest daughter, lives in Dakota ; Eliza
and Alary resides in Minnesota ; Minnie makes her home in Climen
township, Jefferson county, and Michael and Ernestina reside in
Watertown, Wis. The family are reared in the Lutheran belief.
Mr. Prien died in 1883 and his wife in 1897. Their son August,
was born in Prussia. May 23, 1845, received his education in Ger-
many and lived in Watertown, the first home of the family in Wis-
consin, from 186G to 1869. At that time he moved to Columbia
county, rented a farm of two hundred and forty acres, and pur-
chased it after six years of residence upon it. This was his home
until IS?."), when he came to Dane county and rented the farm
which is his present home. In 1891, he bought eighty acres and in
1894. added one hundred and sixty acres to his purchase, so that
his property now comprises two hundred and forty acres. Upon
this he has built a large barn and other buildings and expended
much money and care in general improvements. Mr. Prein is in-
terested in stock-raising and has fine Galloway cattle and Chester
White hogs. For two years he served the town as supervisor and
is identified wtih the Democratic party. The marriage of Miss
Fredericka Manka, to Mr. Prien, occurred October 14, 1873, and
three children blessed the marriage ; Alfred, the oldest son, was
born in 1875, attended the home schools and married Miss Emma
Horn. He is a farmer of Vienna. Lena and Emil. the younger
daughter and son, remain at the parental home. Mrs. Prien's par-
ents, John and Mary (Maas) Manka, were natives of Germany and
came to AYatertown. Wisconsin, in 1873, where they spent the resi-
due of their lives. Of their family of five children, three reside in
Watertown and one in Brazil. Their daughter, Fredericka, was
born in Germany in 1843. Air. Manka died in 1871 and his wife in
I ssi.

Henry F. Prien, a well-known business man of Aliddleton, was
born in Aliddleton, April 26, I860, educated in the village school
and taught the trade of his father, John Prien. lie worked at his

BIOGRAPHICAL. 731

father's forge until he reached the age of twenty years, when he
spent a year in St. Paul and Minneapolis. Returning to Middle-
ton, Mr. Prien was in partnership with his father until 1892 when
he became under sheriff for two years. Always much interested
in politics and a member of the Democratic party, he ran for sheriff
in 1894 but was defeated. In 1897 the blacksmith shop was sold
and a store building" erected which, unfortunately, was burned.
Nothing- daunted, he immediately let the contracts for a new build-
ing and now owns the two-story brick building known as the
Prien block. He also deals in lands, dwellings, etc. He is a mem-
ber of the Masonic Blue Lodge, Xo. 180, of which for twelve years
he was master, and of the German Lutheran church. On Nov. 23,
1883, Miss Rosetta Pierstorff became his wife. Her parents were
Charles and Eliza (Fralim) Peirstorff, who came to Dane county
from Germany in 1852 and settled on a farm. Two children were
born to Mr. and Mrs. Prein, Augusta and Yenora, both graduates
of the Middleton high school. Augusta was married September 20,
1905, to Mr. Frank Hottman, of Madison.

John Prien, for many years a blacksmith of Middleton, retired
since 1891, is a native of Germany, as were his parents before him.
Christian Prien and his wife (Julia Baackj lived in Mecklenburg
Schwerin, Germany, where their son, John, was born May 19, 1827.
They spent their lives in the Fatherland but their three sons and
daughter immigrated to America. Of these the oldest, Henry, located
at Pheasant Branch and, like his father and brothers, was a black-
smith. Frederick lived at Hartford and Marie (Mrs. Bishoff) re-
sides at Madison, "Wis. John was the second son and left home at
the age of twenty-five in a sailing vessel which was nine weeks en
route. Its destination was New Orleans, whence Mr. Prien jour-
neyed to Middleton, \\'is.. and went to work at his trade at which
he was actively employed for fifty years. He has been always ac-
tively interested in the welfare of the Lutheran church of which he
was one of the founders. In political sympathy he is a Democrat.
In June, 1853, he was married to Miss Rosetta Behm, daughter of
Christian and Marie Behm of Westphal, Germany. Their six
children are as follows: Minna, who married John Schroeder. a
farmer of Middleton ; Rosetta, Mrs. John Starck of Middleton;
Mary, who married William Pierstorff, and resides at Middleton;
Henry, who also lives at Middleton ; Bernhard, of Madison. Wis.,
connected with the Parkinson-Marling Co., and John C, the ticket
agent for the C. M. & St. P. R. R. at Madison Wis.

732 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

John C. Prien, passenger and ticket agent of the Chicago, Mil-
waukee & St. Paul Railway Company at Madison, was born Decem-
ber 10, 1872, in Middleton, Dane county. He is a son of John and
Rosetta (Behm) Prien. He received his education in the public and
high schools of his native village, being graduated at the high school
in 1 891. Upon the completion of his high school course he entered
the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company,
and learned telegraphy, and in 1892 served six months as relief oper-
ator. The same year he came to Madison, having been appointed
clerk in the East Madison station of that road. This position he held
until November I, 1904; when he was promoted to be passenger and
ticket agent of the Madison stations. H':s promotion has been rapid,
owing to the efficiency with which he fills positions of trust. Politic-
ally he is a Democrat, and as such has several times been elected alder-
man from the third ward. In 1905 and 1906 he served as president of
the council, and is a member of all the important committee^. In re-
ligious matters both Mr. Prien and his wife sre members of the
German Lutheran church. Mr. Prien is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, the Knights Templar, of which order he is captain-gen-
eral of the commandery; of the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks, and of the Modern Woodmen of America. On September 10,
1900, he married Francisco, daughter of George A. Speckner, of
Madison. To this union has been born one child, Eliza, born April
27, 1902. During his fourteen years residence in Madison Mr.
Prien has come to be recognized as one of the most upright citizens
of the community, and as a public servant he commands the re-
spect and admiration of all, irrespective of party.

Andrew Proudfit, one of the prominent citizens of Madison, Wis.,
during the early days, was born in Argyle, Washington county,
N. Y., August 3, 1820, son of James and Maria J. Proudfit ; his
grandmother, Mary Lytle, was the first white woman born in the
town of Salem!, Washing ton county, N. Y. During the Revolution-
ary War, she displayed her courage and loyalty to the colonies
by going forth with a team and a load of wheat six miles, to feed
the patriot army. Until the age of fourteen Andrew attended the
common school at Argyle. when he was thrown upon his resources
for the means of livelihood. After clerking in a store at Argyle
for a time, he came to Wisconsin in 1842, bringing with him his
mother, sister and a younger brother, and settled on a farm in what
is now Waukesha county. After clearing the heavy timber and
working the land for two years, he engaged a man to work the

BIOGRAPHICAL. 733

farm, and took a position as book-keeper and salesman for Shepard
& Bonnell of Milwaukee for two years; he then went to Delafield,
Wis., where he built and ran a flouring-mill, in connection with a
country store, for nine years. He came to Madison in 1854 and
made his permanent residence at the capital city. While in Dela-
field he was chairman of the board of supervisors for two terms,
and was then chosen one of the commissioners for the improve-
ment of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers. After coming to Madison
he represented Dane county in the state senate during the sessions
1858-59 ; was mayor of the city of Madison for two terms, 1869-
71, and was long prominently identified with many of the public
improvements and prominent business enterprises of the capital.
He built a portion of the present capitol building in 1864; two
wings of the State Hospital for the insane in 1866 and 1867; was
for many vears vice-president of the First National bank ; a director
in the Madison Gas Company, and in the Park Hotel ; and one of
the original forty-six members, and the vice-president, of the old
"Madison Business Board." This last named organization was
formed of prominent pioneer citizens of Madison in 1869 to pro-
mote the completion of the C. & X. W. Railroad from Footville
('about fifty-five miles south of Madison) to the capital. This ob-
ject once accomplished, the club ceased to exist. Mr. Proudfit
married Elizabeth Ford, a native of Cambridge. Washington
county, X. Y., in September, 1840, and they were the parents of
seven children, only three of whom now survive. Mrs. George B.
Hopkins, of Xew York city, A. E. Proudfit. who resides at the old
homestead on Washington Avenue. Madison, and conducts a lum-
ber and real estate business, and Frank F. Proudfit, now in business
in Xew York city. Mr. Proudfit was a faithful attendant of the
Protestant Episcopal church, and was allied politically with the
Democratic party. He was known as a practical, upright business
man, of sound judgment and indomitable perseverence. His death
took place Xovember 12. 1883.

Frank X. Pschorr, a thrifty and well known carpenter and con-
tractor, whose home is at 533 West Johnson street, Madison, was
born in Sauk count}-. Wis., May 2, 1863. His parents. George and
Elizabeth CBrachtendorf ) Pschorr. were natives of Germany. The
father had been a millwright in his native land and after coming to
his new home followed the same vocation, together with farming.
He died in 1865 when the subject of this sketch was but two years
old. The mother immigrated to Dane county with her parents in
1848. Her father was a farmer owning fifty acres of land, whose

734 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

nearest market for many years was Milwaukee, the trip being" made
with oxen. Mrs. Pschorr died June 4, 1!H)4, at the age of seventy-
seven years. She and her husband were both communicants of the
Catholic church. Of their seven children five are still living". Max
is a Dane county farmer. Tracy is the wife of George Blumerick,
a resident of Chicago. Adelaide is the wife of John Hoven. a Kos-
suth county, la., farmer. Tharsilla is Mrs. Leonard Vetter; her
husband is a mason. The other two were Matilda, Mrs. John
Knetchtges, who died in her thirty-first year ; and Louie, who died
when forty-four years of age. Frank X. Pschorr received what
education the common schools of the town of Roxbury afforded
and then started in to learn the carpenter's &nd cabinet maker's
trade with Joseph Gaukel. Up to 1899 he "hired out" and his
labors carried him to many different parts of the continent. He
was in Texas for seven months and in Kansas for two years.
Eighteen years ago he returned to Madison and formed a partner-
ship with John Hoffman under the firm name of Hoffman &
Pschorr and the concern has been in the front rank of builders and
carpenters ever since. The firm's specialty is the erection of
dwellings and a goodly portion of the residences erected in Madi-
son within the past few years are monuments to their handiwork.
Their business extends all over the county. On September 12.
1893, Mr. Pschorr married Miss Mary Schadauer, a native of Madi-
son, and a daughter of Edmund and Antonia Schadauer,
the former now an employe of the Frederickson Brothers, and the
latter deceased. Mrs. Pschorr is the eldest of the six Schadauer
children. Ida, the second, is the wife of Thomas Devine, a locomo-
tive engineer on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, whose
home is in Madison. Julius F., who married Theresa Baltes, is
a printer in the Democrat office. Henry is a clerk working in a
Madison store. The other two are Teresa and Eleanor, the latter
the wife of Charles Habermann, a cigar maker of Madison. Mr.
and Mrs. Pschorr have two children, Adaline Marie and Edmund
Joseph. They are communicants of the Holy Redeemer Catholic
church. Mr. Pschorr is distinctively a self-made man. Left fath-
erless at a tender age, he has fought his life's battles unaided and
has risen to a position of influence and prosperity of which he may
well be proud.

Osmon Olson Qualey, a well known farmer of Deerfield, was
born in Sanding. Norway, in February, 1835. He was a son of
Ole Osmonson and Ingeborg (Buernson) Quaky, natives of Sand-
ing. Norway. The paternal grandfather of the subject was killed

BIOGRAPHICAL. 735

in the Swedish War in the early part of the nineteenth century.
Osmon O. Qualey received a somewhat limited education in the
schools of Cottage Grove. After his arrival in America in Septem-
ber, 1846, he worked at common labor for five years ; then farmed
with his father several seasons, and later bought the place of his
father. Twenty years later he sold the place and moved onto the
farm where he still resides. Despite the fact that Mr. Qualey has
been badly handicapped in his struggle of life by a serious trouble
with his eyes, he has managed to keep his place clear of debt and
keep step with his neighbors in the matter of improvements. Dur-
ing the war Air. Qualey was drafted, but being unable to leave
home he paid a substitute $700 to take his place. Politically he is
a Democrat but has never held office. His religious affiliations
are with the Norwegian Lutheran church. On June 11. I860, he
married Ella X.. daughter of Xels and Rhoda (Starkson) David-
son of Deerfield. Airs. Qualey was born in Norway, December 11,
1831. and her education was all received there. To Air. and Airs.
Qualey have been born seven children, Ole Johanas, Alarch 15,
1861 ; Ingeborg Sophia, August 20, 1862 ; Helen, deceased. Febru-
ary 11, 1861; Anna Alaria, August 25, 1866, now Airs. Henry
Stephens of Chicago; Martha, August 28, 1869; Louisa, August 18.
1873; and N.els, January 1, 1875. Of Air. Qualey's five brothers
and sisters three are living, Ingeborg. the wife of Hi Overson of
Vernon county, Wis. ; Alary, widow of David Nelson of Deerfield ;
and Gunneld, now Mrs. Halvor Nestester, of Glenwood, Minn.

Lars O. Quam, a substantial farmer of the town of Dunn, was
born in Stoughton, Wis., November 26, i860. He is one of three
sons of Ole and Gertrude (Larson) Quam, natives of Norway, the
other sons being George, living in O'Brien county. Iowa, and Hans,
an employe of the postal department at Madison. Ole Quam came
to Wisconsin in 1856. For several years he worked as a farm hand,
and in 1862 he bought eighty acres of land in the town of Dunn ;
later he traded this for eighty acres in the town of Pleasant Springs,
where he continued to reside until 1861 ; he then bought another
farm in the town of Dunn on the shore of Lake Kegonsa, where he
lived until his death in 18971. Lars O. Quam received his educa-
tion in district school No. 2, town of Dunn. Until he was thirty-
four years old he lived with his father. In 1801 be rented the
father's farm and operated it until after his father's death. Then
he purchased the interest which the other heirs had in the place
and has since worked it. The lake shore property he platted and
sold the lots to cottagers. Some fifty odd lots are now occupied

736 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

every summer by pleasure seekers. In politics Mr. Guam is a
stalwart Republican, but has never aspired to office. His religious
life is connected With that of the Norwegian Lutheran church. On
August 1, 1894, he married Amelia, daughter of Anton and Mary
(Olson) Nelson, natives of Norway. Airs. Ouam was born in Nor-
way, June 8, 1874, and received her education in the public schools
of that country. By her union with Lars Ouam she is the mother
of three children, Gertrude Otely, born May 5, 1896; Alvira Miller,
born March 18, 1902 ; and Lawrence Arnold, born November 14,
1904. The home of the Quams is one of the neatest and most
tasteful in the community.

Nicholas Quinn, a successful contractor of Madison, was born in
the city where he now makes his home, on May 19, 1855. He is
a son of James and Margaret (Kiernan) Quinn, both natives of
Ireland. The father was a laborer who came to the United States
in 1840, settling in Madison half a dozen years later. At the time
of his death, in the early nineties, he was foreman at Forest Hill
cemetery, which position he held for thirty years. His wife died
in 1887, in her fifty-seventh year. They were married July 4, 1852.
in New York city by Father Hughes, later an archbishop of the
Catholic church. Nicholas was the second of their five children.
Of the others Margaret died when a year and a half old ; Charles is
a traveling salesman with headquarters in Madison; James is a
printer living in Janesville, Wis. ; William is the sexton of Calvary
cemetery, Madison. Nicholas received his education in the Madi-
son public and parochial schools, and upon the completion of his
studies labored for some years. As a Democrat he was elected a
member of the city council in 1886 from the fifth ward, and served
one term. He was re-elected but resigned to become superintend-
ent of streets, which position he held three years. In 1891 he went
into the contracting business and has an extensive trade. He has
built many miles of sewers, and paved many miles of streets.
Since the concrete block has come into general use he has laid
many foundations. On May 6, 1879, Mr. Quinn was united in mar-
riage to Rose, a daughter of Patrick and Catherine (Kinney)
Lynch, both deceased. Mrs. Quinn is the third of four children,
three of whom are living. Mrs. Lynch was one of the early set-
tlers of Dane county, coming in 1840 from Montreal, Canada. She
and her sister, Mrs. Margaret Sheridan, were the only members of
the family. Mr. Lynch died in 1864 and his widow married Wil-
liam Halpin. by whom she had one child, Catherine, and removed to
North Dakota, dying February 2, 1900. in her seventy-third year.

BIOGRAPHICAL. . 737

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Quinn has been blessed with ten
children. Mary S. is the wife of John D. Rnpp of Madison.
James R., who married Josephine Amoth, is interested with his
father. Margaret, born December 31, 1884, died January 18, 1893..
Thomas W. is attending school in Chicago. Charles, born August
6, 1889, died May 1, 1901. Catherine is a pupil in the Madison high
school. The other children in the order of their ages are Lucile R.,
Robert N., Varonica R. and Raymond. The family are all mem-
bers and devout attendants of St. Raphael's Catholic church. The
father is a Knight of Columbus, a Catholic Forester and a Catholic
Knight. Mr. and Mrs. Quinn are fully entitled to the esteem in
which they are held by their neighbors and friends. A more beau-
tiful home life that that of the Quinns it would be difficult to find.

William H. Raman, one of the leading business men of the vil-
lage of Marshall, was born in Prussia, February 29, 1852, the son
of Prussian parents, Charles and Sophia (Ludwickj Raman, born
in 1821 and 1827 respectively. The parents came to Wisconsin
and settled in Watertown in 1857. In 1885 they went to Nebraska
but subsequently returned and now live in Marshall. They have
eight children all of whom are living and all married. The fam-
ily belongs to the Lutheran church. Mr. Raman served as chair-
man of the board of supervisors of the town of Watertown, during-
his residence there, and also as treasurer. William Raman was ed-
ucated in the schools of Watertown, and as a young man began
working for W. H. Porter with whom he remained for sixteen
years. In 1891 he went into business for himself, in Marshall, in
furniture and undertaking and as licensed embalmer, and has car-
ried the enterprise on in a very successful manner. He has twice
been elected treasurer of the town of Medina and is one of the
trustees of the village of Marshall ; he belongs to the Democratic
party. He was married December 29, 1871, to Mrs. Carrie (Mil-
ler) Rogers, a native of Ohio. Mr. Raman is a man of enterprise
and energy, having, unaided, made his own way in the world. He
owns' the building in which his business is carried on, as well as
his fine residence. He was elected vice president of the Marshall
bank and also one of the directors and is a member of the finance
committee.

Nils K. Ranum is a retired farmer of the town of Perry and a

native of Yalders, Norway, where he was born August 22, 1829,

son of Knudt and Julia (Nelson) Hageseth, who were natives of

Norway and spent their entire lives there. In 1852 Nils K. came

17 — iii

738 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

to the United States and settled in Perry township, then in its in-
fancy. For some time he worked out as a laborer and after a year
or more bought forty acres of land in the southern part of Perry.
which was his home for a little over a year. This farm was sold
and eighty acres in Iowa county purchased, which was the home
of Mr. Ranum for ten years. He added to it forty acres and cleared
and improved the farm. He then moved to Grant county, where
he purchased one hundred and twenty acres and resided there a
quarter of a century. Fondness for his original home in Perry
caused him to sell his home in Grant county 2nd return to Perry,
where he bought a small farm and managed it until 1903 when he
sold it to his son Gilbert and now lives retired with his son. In
1850 Mr. Ranum married Miss Betsey Olson, who was born in
Norway, daughter of Ole and Susanna Halstenson. Five children
blessed the marriage; Julia is Mrs. T. O. Smesrud of Joyce. Iowa;
Sena married Sever Munson of Livingston, Wis. ; Knudt was acci-
dentally killed at eighteen years of age ; Ole married Mary Brazee
and resides in Dodgeville ; Andrew married Julia Paulson and lives
in Primrose. Mrs. Ranum died in 1865 and in 1866 Mr. Ranum
was again married, his wife being Miss Marit Gilberson, born in
Norway, November 9, 1841. daughter of Gilbert aftd Anna Olson
of Iowa county. Wis. Eight children were born to the second mar-
riage. Mary Ann married Knudt Knudtson of Livingston, Wis. ;
Edward O. married Mary Beck and resides in Iowa ; Gilbert M. mar-
ried Miss Alice Lunn and lives in Perry ; Peter married Miss
Myrtle McKay ancl 'resides in Eldon, Mo.; Cari AW, married Emma
Eidsmore and makes his home in N. Dak. Fie served three years
in the United States army. Seventh Cavalry, Company G, having
previous to his enlistment been a member of the state militia. He
served two years in Cuba after the close of the Spanish-American
War. Benjamin married Anna Hanna and lives in Primrose;
Sherman A. married Josie Mellum and lives in Iowa county :
Martha, the wife of Peter Hilden, resides in Monticello, Wis. An-
drew, brother of Nils K.. served in the army during the Civil AArar
and died while in service at Memphis. Tenn. Gilbert, a brother of
Mrs. N. K. Ranum, also served in the Civil AYar. Mr. Ranum and
his wife are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and Mr
Ranum is allied with the Republican party.

Byron Rapp, of Lodi, was born in Dane township, on the old
homestead. His paternal grandfather was Peter Rapp, born in
Northhampton, Pa., in 1801. and who married Miss Susan Marsh.
born L802. His maternal grandfather was lames Steele, men-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 733

tioned in this work. His father, William Rapp, was born in Penn-
sylvania. January 9. 1822, and came to Wisconsin in 1844, where
he took up eighty acres of land in the town of Dane. He married
Miss Eliza Steele who was born in Delaware county, N. Y., Novem-
ber 23, 1830. Both of them were members of the Methodist Epis-
copal church. ' Mr. Rapp increased his original claim until it
amounted to five hundred and sixty acres. At the present time he
is living, although his wife passed away on December 27, 1899.
Both he and his son, Byron, are Democrats and have both served
as supervisors. Of the five children in the family four are living;
Eliza Jane, (deceased), was wife of Peter Doane ; Isabella, is the
wife of William Fellows of Dane county ; Howard resides in Dane
township; Byron is the subject of this sketch; Eva is the wife of
Charles Chrislaw, of Lodi. Byron Rapp spent the years of his boy-
hood in the common schools of Dane, and in assisting his father in
the work of the farm to whose management he succeeded when he
later assumed the work of a man. The two hundred and twenty
acres which he now owns is farmed for general purposes and for
the breeding of shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs. In ad-
dition to the office of supervisor, already noted, Mr. Rapp has been
chairman of the board for six years, and has also served on the
school board.

John R. Redman, a retired farmer, living in the village of Deer-
field, was born in Lincolnshire, England, April 13, 1855, his par-
ents, John and Eliza (Spencely) Redman, both being natives of
that county. They had three children, but the other two died in
infancy. In 1872 the family came to America and located in the
town of Deerfield, where for several years they rented land on the
shares. They then bought one hundred and seventeen acres, which
they still own. The mother of Mr. Redman died in 1890 and in the
year 1903 the father suffered a stroke of paralysis, from which he
never recovered sufficiently to help himself. In the spring of 1905
the son rented out the farm and took up his residence in the village
of Deerfield, where he has a modern home, well equipped with the
comforts and conveniences necessary to make a home enjoyable.
On October 20, 1889, Mr. Redman was married to Miss Lizzie Nel-
lins, born August 1, 185G. Her parents reside in Ireland. To this
union were born three daughters, viz: Eliza J., born September 1 1.
1890; Minnie, born August 16, 1893; and Martha, born May 22,
1898. The mother of these children died in April, 1905. Few men
have been as devoted to their domestic interests as John R. Red-
man.. He has always lived with his parents, and from the time

74' I HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

he was thirty years of age was their sole support. Since the death
of his mother and his wife he has been constantly in attendance up-
on his father's wants, as well as providing for his own children,
who all show the influence of the kind and loving father's training.
Although not a member of any church he rather inclines to the
Presbyterian faith, and he has certainly obeyed the Scriptural in-
junction to "Honor thy father and mother." In political matters
he is independent, and with that self-reliant spirit so characteristic
of the English people he forms his own opinions and backs his
judgment by his vote. In the community he has many friends,
who appreciate his sturdy honesty, as well as his other sterling
qualities which go to make the model man and trustworthy citizen.
Frederick Reed, deceased, for many years the "village black-
smith" of McFarland, was born in the state of Pennsylvania on
March 7, 1833. His father was John Reed, a native of Vermont.
Frederick Reed received a limited education in the common schools
of Ohio. In 1853 he came to Wisconsin and after three years'
labor as a farm hand, he went into the blacksmithing trade with
John Shetter. On March 1, 1855, he married Susan, daughter of
John and Mary (Stewart) Shetter of Pennsylvania. John Shetter
had come to Wisconsin in 1845 and pre-empted a piece of govern-
ment land ; two years later he opened a blacksmith shop in Cot-
tage Grove township at what was then known as the Buckeye post-
office (near the present postoffice of Nora), working land on shares
at the same time. After four years of this labor he closed out his
business and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in
the town of Pleasant Springs ; but the call of the forge was too
strong and the following year found him established in a black-
smith shop in the village of McFarland. After eighteen years he
retired, and lived in comfort until his death, which occurred Sep-
tember 12, 1901. His wife passed away April 2. 1902. Mr. Reed
contined in business with his father-in-law until 1869, when he
went to Iowa. For ten years he plied his trade in the Hawkeye
state and then returned to McFarland, where he and his father-in-
law again entered business together. For nearly a quarter of a
century he seldom missed a day from his labors. In November,
1903, he was stricken with apoplexy and from the following March
to the time of his death, November 22, 1905, he was completely
paralyzed. The devoted ministrations of his wife were a great
comfort in the last days. In politics Mr. Reed was a member of the
Republican party and in the early days he was elected justice of
the peace of McFarland. He was not a member of any church, but

BIOGRAPHICAL. 741

his Scotch ancestry made him incline to the Presbyterian faith.
Mrs. Reed is a member of the Christian church. Mr. and Mrs.
Reed had ten children. Sarah Ellen (Mrs. John Manson of
Madison), born November 28. 1855; Mary Elizabeth, born Decem-
ber 25. 1856, died June 6, 1880; John Wesley, born November 9,
1858; lives at home; he served in Company L, Forty-sixth Regi-
ment, during the Spanish-American War. He was in Florida and
later went to the Philippines with his regiment and remained there
over two years. He was discharged in 1901 on account of dis-
ability after having served nearly three years. Rosa Belle. (Mrs.
John Bearbower of McFarland) . born November 23. 1860 ; Eliza
Jane (widow of John Sanderson, now Mrs. James Buchanan of
Okee. Wis. ). born December 11, 1862; Fred Ellsworth, born July
21. 1861. married Cora Hines of Mt. Auburn, la., where he now
lives; William H.. born November 8, 1867, married Amelia Shafer
of Iowa, and now lives in McFarland ; and James E. born February
19, 1870, married Elinda Yinje, and now lives in McFarland; Delia
Aletha. married Martin Yinje, of McFarland ; Alvan Ira, married
Helen Gensky, and they reside in Madison.

Nels K. Reindahl is numbered among the representative farmers
of Dunkirk township, where he owns a well improved farm, which
stands in evidence of his thrift and energy, since he came to
America without financial means and has won success through his
own efforts. Mr. Reindahl is a native of Norway, where he was
born April 25, 1819, a son of Kittel and Inger Reindahl. He was
reared to maturity in his native land, in whose schools he received
his educational training. In 1868, at the age of nineteen years, he
immigrated to the United States, being accompanied by his
widowed mother. He came at once to Dane county, and estab-
lished a modest home for his mother. He worked by the day dur-
ing the first summer, on the farm now owned by Senator La Fol-
lette, and in the following winter chopped two hundred and eighty
cords of wood for a farmer in the same vicinity. For several years
thereafter he gave his attention to tobacco-growing, on shares, in
Pleasant Springs township, being the first person to cultivate the
Spanish tobacco in that township. He carefully husbanded his
earnings and in 1875 he purchased eighty acres of his present farm,
in Dunkirk, subseqeuntly adding an adjacent tract of twenty-eight
acres, so that he now has a farm of one hundred and eighty acres.
He has made all the improvements in matter of buildings and has
developed one of the productive and valuable farms of the county.
He has lived continuously on this homestead for thirty years and

742 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

is one of the substantial and popular citizens of the community.
He is a man of intelligence and progressive ideas, and his ambi-
tion as a youth may be understood when it is noted that two years
after his arrival in America he determined to broaden his knowl-
edge of the English language. He accordingly worked for his
board for three successive winters, in order that he might attend
the common schools in the meanwhile. It is needless to say that
he made the most of his opportunities and profited largely from the
instruction thus received. Mr. Reindahl is influential in public af-
fairs of a local nature and has served in various positions of trust
and responsibility. He has been clerk of the Dunkirk school board
for twenty years, served as township assessor two years, as side-
supervisor ten years, and at the present time is serving his fifth
year as chairman of the township board, thus being ex-officio mem-
ber of the county board of superivsors. In politics he gives an un-
wavering support to the Republican party and both he and his
wife are zealous members of the First United Norwegian Lutheran
church of Stoughton, of whose board of trustees he is a valued
member. Mr. Reindahl has been twice married, the maiden name
of his first wife having been Gunil Felland, after whose death he
married his present wife, whose maiden name was Elsa Ondahl
and who is a daughter of Ole Ondahl, who came to Wisconsin from
Norway. Mr. Reindahl has four children, Kittel, Ole, Nora and
Enoch.

Thrond K. Reindahl, of Madison, was born in Norway, Novem-
ber 31. 1844. His father. Kittil Reindahl, was a Norwegian farmer,
and died in his native country, in 1867. Two years later, his
widow, Ingerid (Nilson) Reindahl, came to America and made her
home in the town of Burke. Dane county, until her death. There
were seven children in the family, all of whom are living. Thrond
was educated in Norway and came to Burke in 1866, a young man
of twenty-two, with his own way to make in the world. He
located on a farm where he remained thirteen years, and later
moved to the farm of one hundred and twenty-six acres, located
three and one-half miles from Madison, where he now lives and of
which he is the owner. He has a large acreage of tobacco, and is
also an extensive producer of hay, having been one of the large
local supplies for the city of Madison ; he is also a breeder oi
horses. He married, in 1866, Miss, Ingebor Mosle, a native of Nor-
way, daughter of Amtmd and Ture (Halverson) Mosle, both de-
ceased. They have eight children living. Armund, Ingerid, Thea,
Sadie. Ingebor, Thilda, Caroline and Charles; two more died in

BIOGRAPHICAL. 743

infancy. Mr. Reindahl and his family are all members of the Luth-
eran church; he is a Republican, and has been treasurer of the
school board for eighteen years. Amund, the oldest son, has been
for two terms register of deeds for Dane county, and is serving in
that office as deputy at the present time. Mr. Reindahl owns, in the
town of Burke, two hundred and thirty acres of land, and is a well-
to-do farmer, having attained his prosperity through his own thrift
and economy.

John Reis, (deceased), was a native of Germany. His parents,
Matthias and Gertrude ( Mauerer) Reis, came to Dane county in
1854, settling in Springfield township, their son, born April 15,
1847, being at the time seven years of age. His educational ad-
vantages were somewhat limited, being restricted to the district
school of Springfield, and some instruction in the German Catholic
school at Cross Plains, the family being affiliated with that church.
He began his independent life as a farmer, first in Springfield town-
ship with his father, and later, shortly before his marriage, he
moved to the town of Westport, where he owned a farm of two
hundred and forty acres. About ten years ago, he moved to the
city of Madison, sold his farm and invested in city property. His
widow owns, not only her residence at 30 N. Basset St., but six
other houses in the city. She was Miss Margaretha Marx, daugh-
ter of John and Margaret (Endres) Marx, now residing at 324
Doty St. They were old settlers of the town of Berry, and the
postoffice of Marxville, was named after him. He is somewhat
of an exception to the usual type of home-keeping farmers, for he
has crossed the ocean five times. About sixteen years ago he
moved into Madison. His daughter, Mrs. Reis, was born in the
town of Berry. Mr. Reis was, in politics, a Democrat, and had
served for several years as treasurer of the town of Westport, and
also upon the board of supervisors. He belonged to the German
Catholic church and to the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin. He
died very suddenly February 14, 1906; he is survived by his wife
and three children. John M. Reis, a merchant of Madison, corner
of Bassett and Mifflin streets ; Nicholas, and a young daughter,
Mary T. ; also by a brother, Henry and three sisters, Mrs. Eva La
Cross, of Waunakee, Mrs. Mary Brausen, of Westport, and Mrs.
Margaret Sitzman, of Minnesota.

Lars Davidson Rekve, a retired farmer of the town of Deerfield,
was born at Rekve, Norway, June 4, 1818. His parents were
David Ericson and Carrie Larstheter, natives of Norway. Lars
Davidson Rekve had such educational advantages as the schools

744 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

of Norway afforded. When twenty-one years old he determined
to seek his fortune in the new world. On his arrival in New York
he had rather a queer experience. It so happened that he was
put ashore on July 4, 1839, and the city was celebrating the national
"holiday in the usual style. Lars was very much alarmed at first,
"but as no bullets struck him or near him he concluded that his
new countrymen were very poor marksmen. From Xew York he
went to Chicago where he got work on the canal. After a few
weeks he was taken ill and was obliged to remain in a hospital for
nearly a year. When he recovered he found that his treatment had
taken all his savings and he was cast out into the world without a
penny. With an admirable determination he worked at any thing
that offered, for a time, including sailing on the lakes, and then
went to the Wisconsin lead mines. In 1844 be quit mining and
started farming on an eighty acre farm which he purchased from
the government. This farm was his home for forty-one years,
leaving it in 1885 to build a home in the village of Deerfield. His
farm, to which he had added until it contained three hundred acres,
he has deeded to his children and expects to pass the remainder of
Tiis days in his Deerfield home. Mr. Rekve is a Republican and as
such has served three years as town treasurer, six years as assessor
and several terms as supervisor. He is a member of the Nor-
wegian Lutheran church. In 1844 he married Engiborg Olstather,
daughter of Ole Barago and Anna Essoxdaughter, natives of Nor-
way. Mrs. Rekve was born May 19, 1826, and passed away April
4, 1877. She bore Mr. Rekve four children, — Carrie (Mrs. Andrew
Anderson of Stoughton), born February 18, 1846; Anna (Mrs. Nels
Bau of Iowa), born April 27, 1849, died in May, 1887; Johanna
(Mrs. Hans Mathison of Watertown, S. D.). born March 3. 1853;
and Engiborg (Mrs. J. O. Brictson of Deerfield), born July 28, 1854.
After the death of his first wife he married Sijmmara. daughter of
Helga and Breta (Olson) Understather. natives of Norway. Mr.
Rekve has two sisters living in Chicago, Julia, the widow of Stephen
Brown, and Mrs. Goodna Nelso'n, a widow. A sister and a brother
in Norway, Mrs. Armond Tiegend and Eric Rekve, passed away a
few years ago. Although he has lived more than the allotted num-
ber of years, he is hale and hearty and possesses a most remark-
able memory.

Henry J. Renk, of Sun Prairie, is a native of Bristol, Dane
county, and is the elder son of Nicholas Renk, mentioned in this
work in connection with Wm. F. Renk. He attended the common
schools and was graduated from the agricultural college of the Uni-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 745

versity of Wisconsin, with the class of 1002. He is a farmer and
a member of the firm of Renk Bros., stock raisers. He was for
four years secretary of the creamery association and treasurer
of the experimental association of Madison. He was married,
June 8, 1803, to Miss Laura Conrad, daughter of Lawrence and
Barbara (Trapp) Conrad, both of whom were born in Columbia
county. Mr. Conrad died in Bristol, but his widow is still living.
Mr. and Mrs. Renk have one daughter. Irene B.

William F. Renk, of the firm of Renk Bros., of Sun Prairie, was
born in Bristol, Dane count}*, of German ancestry. His paternal
grandfather, Joseph Renk, born November 1, 1806. was a native of
Eusenheim, Germany, and his wife, Catherine (Emmert) Renk was
also German. They came to the United States in 1846, and settled
on a farm in Bristol township, although he was a wagon-maker by
trade. They remained on this farm until their death, his occuring
March 23. 1873, and hers; July 6, 1888. Their son, Nicholas, the
father of the subject of this sketch, came with them to this country.
He was born in Bavaria, in 1837, so that he was a lad of nine years
at the time and had received the rudiments of his education in his
native land ; this was supplemented by attendance at the district
schools of the town of Bristol. He became a farmer and owned
three hundred and forty acres of land, and upon this homestead,
assisted by his sons he erected the buildings, the barn in 1872 and
the house in 1880. He served as town treasurer and assessor and
as treasurer of the Bristol Fire Insurance Co. He was liberal and
and independent in both his political and religious views, but
usually supported the Republican party. He married Miss Mar-
garet Schroud. who was born in Hampden township, Columbia
county, in 1847 ; she is a member of the Catholic church. They
had three children Henry J., William F., the subject of this sketch;
and M. Catherine, of Sun Prairie. Nicholas Renk died July 13,
1888. W. F. Renk was born October 12, 1875. He received his
early education in the common and high schools of Sun Prairie,
and was graduated from the agricultural college of the University
of Wisconsin, in 1898. where he was awarded the medal as the best
judge of sheep. In company with his brother he owns three hun-
dred and eighty acres of land, which is run as a stock farm, their
specialties being Shropshire sheep, shorthorn cattle and Poland
China hogs. Their stock have taken many premiums at county
-fairs, and they were first winners at the state fair in the Wisconsin
class. The firm imported fifty head of sheep from England at a
cost of $3,500 ; one ram owned by the firm ranked first at the Wis-

746 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

consin state fair, both when entered as a yearling and as a two-
year-old. Renk Bros, also deal largely in seed corn and oats. Mr.
Renk is, in politics, a Republican, and has held the elective offices
of assessor and side supervisor. He has also been secretary of the
Wisconsin sheep breeders' association. He married Miss Caro-
line M. Derr, daughter of Joseph and Rosina (Thein) Derr, natives
of Germany, now residents of York township, Dane county. They
came to Columbia county in 1846 and to Dane in 1900. Both fam-
ilies are connected with the Catholic church. Mrs. Renk is one of
a family of twelve children, nine of whom are living; she was born
in Columbia county, April 11, 1882, and married Mr. Renk, May
28, 1891. They have one child, Walter Frank.

Daniel Reynolds, Sr., a retired farmer of the town of Cottage
Grove, first saw the light of day in the county of Antrim, Ireland,
in 1811. His parents were Samuel and Mary (Kerns) Reynolds,
both natives of Ireland. All the education Mr. Reynolds ever re-
ceived was a three months' term in the common schools of Ire-
land. On June 18, 1827, he landed in America. For several years
he was employed as steward of a large contracting firm of New
York and for six years was in the employ of the Vanderbilt family.
Then he came to Wisconsin and entered under the homestead law
the farm which he has since occupied. His first home was a log
hut built by himself. Soon after his arrival he purchased a yoke
of oxen and two cows, using the cows as well as the oxen for
breaking purposes. For several years he did breaking for the
neighboring settlers, clearing his own land in his spare time. In
politics he is a Democrat, but has never aspired to office. His re-
ligious affiliations are with the Catholic church of Cottage Grove.
In July, 1839, Mr. Reynolds married Mary Ellen Melarkey and to
this union have been born nine children, Martha Jane, born 1840,
deceased ; William James, born 1842, deceased ; Mary Ellen, born
1844. wife of John Connors of Cottage Grove ; Susan Ann, widow
of William Coffey ; Daniel W. ; Katie, born 1850, lives at home, and
with her father manages the farm, the daughter attending to all
business transactions; Matilda, born 1852 deceased; John, born
1854, died in infancy ; and Eddie, born 1856, died in infancy. Al-
though Mr. Reynolds is ninety-five years of age he is remarkably
well preserved in mind and body. Few men who live to reach his
age are as active. A number of years ago he moved to the village
of Cottage Grove, but the inactivity of village life was distasteful
to him and he soon returned to the farm. He is ever eager to aid
in the public benefactions, and a worthy cause is always helped.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 747

Generous, high-minded and sincere he is much respected by his
neighbors.

Daniel W. Reynolds is one of the representative farmers of Cot-
tage Grove township, his place being located in section seventeen
and comprising forty-three acres. He was born in this township,
October 26, 1851. and is a son of Daniel and Mary (Melarky) Rey-
nolds, both of whom were born in Ireland, while they were num-
bered among the early settlers of Dane county, Wisconsin.
Daniel W. Reynolds was reared on the farm and after availing him-
sel of the advantages of the district schools he was for two years a
student in the high school at Marshall. His initial venture in an
independent business was made when he was a young man. He
rented a farm in Cottage Grove township, residing upon the same
two years, after which he located in the village of Cottage Grove,
where he was successfully established in the hotel business for
twelve years. He ihen traded his hotel property for a farm in Sun
Prairie township, but moved to his present homestead farm which
he had purchased above five years previously. He later disposed of
the farm in Sun Prairie township. Mr. Reynolds has made the
best of improvements on his farm, which is one of the valuable
places of this section of the county. In 1895 his residence w'as de-
stroyed by fire, being replaced by the present modern structure.
He has ever shown a public-spirited interest in local affairs and has
been called to offices of trust. He has served as constable, town-
ship supervisor and school clerk, having been for several years a
member of the board of supervisors of Cottage Grove township.
He is independent in his political attitude and both he and his wife
are communicants of the Catholic church. January 29, 1879, was
solemnized the marriage of Mr. Reynolds to Miss Catherine Flynn,
who was born in Cottage Grove township, October 1, 1859, being
a daughter of John and Ellen (Clarey) Flynn, and following is a
record of the names and dates of birth of their eight children, all
of whom are living: Martha Jane, November 30, 1879 ; Mary Ellen,
October 19, 1881 ; William James, August 15, 1883 ; Catherine. May
7, 1886; Daniel Edward. July 8, 1888; Josephine, February 4, 1890;
John Francis, September 3. 1893; ,and Mildred, February 24, 1895.
Martha J., is a successful teacher in the public schools, and Wil-
liam J., a carpenter by trade, is now a resident of Fort Worth,
Texas.

A. A. Rhodes, (deceased), was born in Madison, Dane county.
April 23, 1862. died August 17, 1898. He was the son of James
Rhodes, a butcher by trade, and one of the early settlers of Mado-

748 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

son. He was educated in the public schools of Madison and at the
University of Wisconsin. After completing" his education he went
to Dakota, and was engaged for some time as a clerk in a bank ;
then he returned to Wisconsin. Later he went to Kansas and fol-
lowed the occupation of farming. In 1894. he returned to his na-
tive state, and bought the farm which Mrs. Rhodes still owns. He
was married December 19, 1889, to Miss Katie Evarts, — daughter
of Leeman and Mary (Cole) Evarts, — who was born in Capron,
Boone county. 111. Mrs. Rhodes' father was a native of Massachu-
setts and one of the early settlers of Illinois. In his later life he
went to Syracuse, Nebraska, where he died. December 20, 1893.
Mrs. Evarts now resides in Ingham, Lincoln county. Neb. She is
a native of Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes were born two children,
Florence, born December 30. 1890, and Alva, born August 27, 1894.
both natives of Meredith, Kansas. Mr. Rhodes was a Democrat in
politics and a member of the K. of P. lodge. He was interested in
matters of public welfare and served in a number of local offices;
his wife was reared and educated in Kansas, where her parents
moved when she was four years of age.

Fred M. Richards, general superintendent of the Madison Gas
and Electric Company, was born in Columbia county. Wisconsin,
December 12, 1870. He comes of good stock, the father, Robert
Richards, being a native of Dane county, and his mother, nee
Esthma Isadora Dean, of New York. The father's vocation is
that of flour miller, and he is at the present time operating a mill
at Chatfield. Minn. When the sombre cloud of war dimmed the
horizon of national unity, he laid aside his citizen's garb and joined
the ranks of the Union army, enlisting in Milwaukee, December 31,
1861, in Company E, Eighteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.
The regiment came under McPhersons' command and participated
in the battles of Champion's Hill, the siege of Vicksburg, the Mis-
sionary Ridge fights and at Allatoona withstood with great gallantry
a furious assault of the Confederate army. At the latter place Mr.
Richards was wounded and captured. He was taken to one of the
enemy's hospitals and later exchanged. On July 12, 1865, he was
honorably discharged. After the cessation of hostilities he re-
turned to the milling business. Of his family of seven children,
six are boys. The children are all living. The father is sixty-three
years old and the mother fifty-three. Fred M. Richards finished
his academic work in the Kilbourn high school and then entered
the E. P. Allis & Company shops in Milwaukee to learn the machin-
ists' trade. After four years there he put in the same length of

BIOGRAPHICAL. 740

time firing- a Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company's
engine. From that position he worked into the electric lighting
business in Portage, Wis., and after another four years accepted
employment as assistant engineer for the Madison company. This
was in November, 1900. Within eight months after his arrival he
was made chief engineer, serving as such two years. In 1903 he
was appointed superintendent of the Madison Gas & Electric Com-
pany plant, and July i, 1906, was appointed to his present position.
Mr. Richards has been twice married. On December 21, 1889, he
led. to the altar Miss Lottie A., daughter of I. B. and Cornelia
(Cone) Pickard of Kilbourn, the former deceased, the latter an hon-
ored resident of the city of the Dells. Mrs. Richards died April 25,
1891, at the age of twenty-one. On her father's side she was of
English descent, on her mother's of Scotch and Dutch. Mr. Rich-
ards' second marriage, which occurred April 1, 1893, was to Miss
Amelia Rhein, of Green Lake, Wis., and a daughter of John and
Louisa (Weilde) Rhein, both natives of Germany. By his second
marriage he is the father of four children — Aden Robert, Florence
Vera, Lorna May and Cecil lone. The parents are members of the
Baptist church, and the father belongs to the Free and Accepted
Masons. He is a man highly spoken of, intelligent,- energetic and
resourceful.

Geo. W. Richardson, of Dane, belongs to a New York family.
His paternal grandfather was Benj. Richardson who lived and died
in that state. His parents were Geo. W. and Maria (Hazlett)
Richardson, the former born in New York in 1824, and the latter in
Llmira, N. Y., in 1828. They were married in Illinois and made
their home in Genoa, Dekalb county, until their death, his occur-
ring in 1886 and hers in 1903. He was a farmer by occupation, a
Republican in party affiliations and, with his wife, belonged
to the Methodist Episcopal church. Of their two sons and three
daughters all except one daughter are living. Mr. Richardson re-
ceived his educational equipment in the high school of Genoa. He
began life as an Illinois farmer, but in 1890 began working for the
railroad, and since 1893, has been station agent for the C. & N. W.
R'y, at Dane. He owns property in Dane and also in Dakota. He
and his wife attend and support the Methodist Episcopal church,
and he votes with the Republican party. His marriage occurred
April 10, 1888, and his wife was Miss Sarah E. Westover, born in
Clintonville, 111., March 12, 1868. Her parents were Benj. and
Bertha (Barns). He was born in Sheffield, Berkshire county.
Mass., and she in Alexander, Jefferson county. N. Y., March 28,

750 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

1816, and October 4. 1827, respectively. They were among the
early settlers of Illinois and were married January 1, 1852. He is
a carpenter by trade and a Republican in politics, and is still living;
his wife died December 17, 1894. The paternal grandparents of
Mrs. Richardson were Abijah, born March 20, 1773, and Lois
(Carrier) Westover, born February 17. 1782. He died December
20, 1821, and his wife survived him nearly forty years, passing
away in 1861 or 1862. Her maternal grandparents were Ira Barns,
born September 21, 1800, and Eliza (Carnegie) Barns, born June 19,
1806, and died August 3, 1887. Ira Barns was the son of Jabez and
Mary (Crowell) Barns. He died at Alexandria, Jefferson county,
N. Y.j in the twenties and she in July. 1859, at Pawpaw. Lee
county. 111., aged eighty-four years. Eliza Carnegie was the daugh-
ter of James and Abigail (Holsey) Carnegie, both born in Vermont,
where she died in 1812 ; her husband lived to marry five times, and
died in Alexandria, Jefferson county. N. Y., sged seventy-seven
years. His parents were Andrew and Lydia (Robins) Carnegie.
Bradford B. Richmond is a prominent farmer of the town of
York, where he carries on the business established by his father.
Ezra W. Richmond. The founder of the Wisconsin branch of the
'Richmond family was Peres Bradford Richmond, who came from
New York at an early day and obtained a farm of four hundred
acres from the government lands in York township. Here he lived
until his death in 1888. He was a prominent member of the com-
munity, a Whig and a Republican. Mrs. Peres B. Richmond, nee
Harriet Warner, was a native of New York, where she lived until
after her marriage. Of their six childen, four are living. Their
son, Ezra W. Richmond was born in New York, September 11,
1837, attended the district schools in his native county and be-
came a student at Oberlin University, Ohio. For some years he
followed the profession of teaching, in Missouri, and then in Dane
county, and left it to engage in farming in Columbia county, where
he purchased a farm and lived two years. For fourteen years he
owned a farm in Sun Prairie, which he managed successfully until
his return to the old homestead in York. This he occupied until
1900, when he moved to the city of Columbus to spend the residue
of his life free from business cares. He married Miss Fliza Bowen,
who was horn in New York in August. 1841, and five children were
born to them; Mabel, I fattie. Bradford B., Elizabeth and Caroline.
All were well-educated and the daughters taught school. Hattie
married William L. Fritz, a farmer of Columbia county. Wis.
Caroline is Mrs. Frank S. Roberts and her husband is connected

BIOGRAPHICAL. 751

with the Columbus Canning Factory. Bradford B. was born at
Sun Prairie, Wis., February 23, 1875. attended the home schools
and the Story Business College at Portage and has always been in-
terested in farming. He operates his father's farm of two hundred
and seventy-three acres and devotes particular attention to the
breeding of pure registered Galloway cattle, of which he usually
has a herd of about forty-five head ; also registered French coach
horses and Duroc Jersey hogs and Shropshire sheep. Like his
father, Bradford B. Richmond is a Republican in political affilia-
tions and all the family are identified with the Congregational
church.

Charles Reed Riebsam, deceased, was prominently identified with
various enterprises in the city of Madison during many years of
a very active life and he was recognized as one of the leaders in the
industrial affairs of the capital city. He was born at Muncy, Ly-
coming county, Penn., on September 3. 1826, and was one of four
children born to Philip and Sarah (Erwin) Riebsam. The father
was also a native of the Keystone state and the mother was of
English descent, her ancestors being of the religious sect known
as Friends or Quakers. Of the four children born to this parentage
only one now survives. William Erwin, and he is a resident of the
state of California. The subject of this review received his early
education in the public schools of the city of Philadelphia and then
took up the study of medicine, graduating from the medical de-
partment of the University of Pennsylania, with the class of 1849,
receiving the degree of M. D. It seems, however, that his tastes
were not in accord with the demands of that profession and he
never entered upon the practice of the same, but soon after his
graduation he entered a telegraph office and remained so employed
until 1857. when he migrated to Wisconsin and located in the city
of Madison. Soon after his arrival he. entered the employ of the
state bank and filled a responsible position with that institution for
a number of years. For a considerable time, eighteen years, he
was connected with Fuller & Johnson, general agents for the
Walter A. Wood (harvesting machine) Company, and later he be-
came connected with the Madison Gas & Electric Company, acting
as secretary of the same until the time of his death, which occured
on November 12, 1!><)2. Mr. Riebsam was -t Republican in his
political affiliations, but he never assumed the role of an office-
seeker. However, at the time of the Civil War he served under
N. B. Van Slyke in the adjutant-general's office at Madison, and
he also had a position in the comptroller's office during the incum-

752 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

bency of Jeremiah Rusk. Mr. Riebsam was married on December
3, 1878, to Miss Sarah J. Wilson, daughter of Luther and Harriet
(Hutchings) Wilson, of the state of New York, the place where
they resided being now a part of the city of Syracuse. The parents
of Mrs. Riebsam were both natives of the Empire state, but in
1846 they immigrated to Wisconsin and located in the city of
Madison, where they spent the remainder of their lives, the father
dying in 1848 and the mother in 1877. Two daughters were born
to them, only one of whom, Mrs. Riebsam, is now living. The
subject of this review was reared in the Presbyterian faith, but
after his marriage he became an attendant at the Congregational
church, of which Mrs. Riebsam is a member. He also had mem-
bership in the Old Settlers' club of Madison, an organization that
was formed the same year of and a short time previous to his
death. He was an honorary member of the Madison Hook and
Ladder Company.

George C. Riley, a dealer in real estate in Madison, was born in
Dane county, January 27, 1874. He is a son of Edward F. and
Eliza LaBore Riley. George C. Riley is' one of three brothers,
the others being Charles G.. a practicing attorney of Madison, and
Frank M., an architect in Boston, Mass. George C. received his
education in the public schools of his native city and studied for a
time in the University of Wisconsin. Immediately after complete
ing his studies he entered the real estate business and has con-
tinued in it ever since.

Martin Riley, of Marshall, was born in Carey, Ireland, October
25, 1849, of Irish parentage ; Jeremiah Riley was born in 1810, and
his wife. Elsie, in 1813. They came to Ohio in 1851 and to Wis-
consin and settled in Marshall, Dane county, in 1856. Mr. Riley
worked on the railroad for some time and finally purchased a small
piece of land in section 8 ; fifteen years later he bought eighty acres
in section 18, and here made his home until his death in 1879; his
wife survived him twelve years, hers occurring in 1891. Out of
their family of six, — five sons and one daughter, — only two sons
are living, the subject of this sketch and a brother Patrick of the
town of York. The family attended the Catholic church ; and Mr.
Riley's political creeds were expressed by the Democratic party ;
at one time his vote saved the town from being bonded for a rail-
road. Martin Riley received his education in the common school
of district No. 1 of Medina township, and began his independent
work at the rate of four dollars per month. In 1SS1 lie became the
owner of forty acres of land and this has increased with the vears

BIOGRAPHICAL. 753

until it has become a farm of two hundred acres. It is worthy of
note as showing what can be accomplished by the patient accumu-
lations of years that the property now owned by Mr. Riley is the
same as that upon which he worked for four dollars per month ; he
now ranks as one of the well-to-do farmers of Medina. He was
united in marriage to Miss Sarah Tolan. June 14, 1876. She is the
daughter of William and Mary (Braden) Tolan. and was born in
Kenosha in 1859. Mr. Tolan was born in Belfast and his wife in
County Sligo, Ireland. They came to the United States when they
were young, were married in Boston, and came to Wisconsin in its
early days. He died in York, in 1892, and his widow is still living.
They had two children, Mrs. Riley and Mamie, wife of Patrick
Riley of the town of York. Mr. Martin Riley is a Free Mason and
a member of the Waterloo lodge. He and his wife have had three
children, the oldest, Mary, is dead ; the others are William J., and
George W.

William Riley, of Springdale township, was born in Washington
county, Xew York, July 16, 1838. He is the son of Richard and
Mary (Nichols) Riley, both natives of Xew York. Mr. Riley's
American ancestry dates back to the Revolutionary War. his ma-
ternal grandfather, John Stockwell. having served as a soldier in
that struggle for independence. He was also a native of Xew
York. Richard Riley was born in 1782 and took part in the War
of 1812; he died in 1875 having attained the great age of ninety-
three years. His wife died ten years later (1885) aged ninety-four.
These hardy pioneers came to Wisconsin in 1855 and located in
Dane county on section 2, in Springdale township, on the farm
where the subject of this sketch now resides. They were the par-
ents of three children, Robert, of the town of Springdale. William,
and Lucinda (deceased). William was educated in the public
schools of Xew York state and came west with his parents with
whom he remained until the death of his father. He has now a
fine farm of two hundred acres. He was married in 1859. to Miss
Margaret Dride. a native of Philadelphia, but a resident of Spring-
dale. They have six children, Robert, of Riley ; Mary, married to
Charles Oranger of the village of Riley ; James, of Winnebago City.
Minnesota ; John R.. of Riley : Jenny, married William Carden. of
Madison; Margaret, married Jesse Sutton, of Xebraska. Mrs.
Riley died in February, 1890. aged fifty-three years. Mr. Riley
carries on the family traditions in his political affiliations, as his
father before him was a Republican, and in the stirring years pre-
48— iii

754 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

ceding the Civil War, was a strong abolitionist. He has retired
from the management of his large farm, his son John R. having pur-
chased the entire estate. John R.. who was born December 12,
1873, was educated in the public schools, and chose farming as his
vocation. He was married April 12, 1904, to Miss Margaret Marks
of Riley, daughter of Patrick Marks of Madison ; to this union one
child, Wesley Malcolm, was born. May 18, 190(5.

Harry E. Roberts, who makes his home in Stoughton since he
has retired from farming, is a native of Dunkirk, where his family
have lived since 1844. His paternal grandfather, William Roberts,
was born in Fairfield county. Conn., April 25, 1782, and married
Salome Elwell, born in Dutchess county, X. Y., in 1789. Soon
jafter their marriage they settled in Virgil, Cortland county, N. Y.,
and lived there until 183G, when the spirit of the times sent them
west to Illinois and after eight years to Dunkirk, where Mr. Rob-
erts died in 1847, and his wife in 1872. Their son Ezra, father of
Harry E., was born near Danbury, Conn., December 26, 1810, spent
his youth in Cortland county. X. Y., and in 1835 engaged in farm-
ing in Warren county. 111. Here he spent five years, returned to
Xew York for four years and came to Dunkirk with his parents in
1S44. Again he engaged in farming and obtained land from time
to time until his farm comprised three hundred and seventy-four
acres. For several terms he served on the town board and was al-
ways a public-spirited citizen. September 3. 1848, he married Bet-
sey E. Cannon, daughter of Joseph and Rachel (Huyck) Cannon,
who settled in Dunkirk in 1843. Joseph Cannon was a veteran of
the War of 1812. Ezra Roberts and his wife had nine children, of
whom but three are living; Harry E., Florence E., the wife of
George X. Campbell, and James A. Harry E. was born on the
Dunkirk farm. February 7, 1854, has always been occupied in
farming at the old homestead, a part of which he still owns, and
lived there until 1904, during which year he moved to Stoughton,
his present home. He was first married March 14, 1878, to Sarah
Elian Bingham, daughter of Rufus and Esther (A'nsley) Bingham,
of Sumner, Jefferson county. Wis. Three children were born to
the marriage: Rufus E., Earl A. and Florence E. Airs. Roberts
died April 9, 1903, and December 29. 1904, Mr. Roberts married
Harriet S. Gilbert, daughter of Robert and Harriet (Bristol)
Gilbert, the former a native of England and the latter of X'ew
York. Mr. Roberts is a member of the Universalist church and
his wife of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Roberts is allied
with the Prohibition party and is a strong temperance advocate.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 75.5

He has served on the Dunkirk board of supervisors and as assessor
of the same town.

James Arthur Roberts was born on the farm in the town of Dun-
kirk which has been owned by the family since 1844. His father
Ezra E. Roberts, and grandfather, William Roberts, came to Wis-
consin at that time from Warren county. 111. William Roberts was
born in Fairfield county. Conn., in 1782, of Welsh parentage and
married Salome Elwell, a native of New York. They made their
home for a time in Virgil, Cortland county, N. Y., then in Illinois
and finally in Dane county, Wisconsin. Their son, Ezra, born in
Danbury, Conn., December 26, 1810. was educated in Cortland
county, went with his parents to Illinois, returned to New York in
1840 and came to Dunkirk in 1844. He became a successful far-
mer and owned a fine property of three hundred and seventy-four
acres. He married Betsey E. Cannon, daughter of Joseph Cannon
of Massachusetts, a soldier in the war of 1812, and Rachel (Huyck)
Cannon. Mr. and Mrs. Cannon were also pioneers of the town of
Dunkirk where they settled in 1843, when the country was wild
and sparsely populated. The surviving children of Ezra Roberts
are Harry E. of Stoughton, a sketch of whose life appears else-
where in this work, Florence E., who married George N. Campbell
and James A., who also resides in Stoughton. James A., was born
May 18, 1861, attended the district school, the Albion Academy and
the University of Wisconsin and engaged in farming on the old
homestead when he was a young man. This occupation he fol-
lowed until 1901, when he moved. to Stoughton and became inter-
es'ted in a milk depot in that city. Siuce 1905 he has given exclu-
sive attention to the purchase and shipment of poultry and eggs for
the large city markets. He supplies poultry to markets in Chicago
and other cities. June 12, 1905, he married' Miss Pauline M. Estes,
daughter of John M. and Martha (Martin) Estes of Dunkirk.
Five children were born to the marriage; Ethel, Grace, Ross, Alice
and Paul. Mr. Roberts is a member of Social Lodge No. 160, I. O.
O. F. of Stoughton. His sympathies are entirely given to the Pro-
hibition party and he is an active worker for the advancement of
the prohibition movement. He has served the town of Dunkirk as
assessor for two years and as town clerk for seven years.

Martin Rockney was born on the farm known as the old Rock-
ney farm, which his father reclaimed from the wilderness in 1845.
It is a fine property of two hundred and sixty acres and for the
past four years has been under the capable management of Martin
Rockney. Martin is the son of Tosten and Cecelia (Melve) Rock-

756 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

ney, both of whom were natives of Voss, Norway. When they came to
Christiania it was a sparsely settled community and they worked
to advance the general interests as well as to make themselves a
home. Always devoted to the Lutheran church, Mr. Rockney
aided in building the church at West Koskonong, which his chil-
dren still attend. Ox teams brought the pioueers to Christiania
from Milwaukee and a farm of forty acres in section 8 was pur-
chased. Several tracts of land were added until the farm reached
its present size and buildings were erected, first a snug log cabin
and later a substantial brick house. Mr. Rockney died in 1880
but his widow still resides at the old home with her son Martin.
Ten children wrere born to Mr. and Mrs. Rockney, Erick the old-
est son, married Tolena Lee, who lives a widow, upon the old
farm. Anna resides in Winnebago county, Iowa, and is the wife of
Jul Julson ; Ole is a farmer of Trail county, N. D. ; Lars resides in
South Dakota. Julia is Mrs. Peter Nelson of Richland county,
N. D. ; Martin manages the farm in Christiania ; Martha is de-
ceased ; Carolina is Mrs. Berge Jerstad ; Amelia married Andrew
Johnson of Sun Prairie ; Cecelia is the wife of George Strommen
of Christiania. Martin was born in Christiania, January 14, 1862..
attended the home schools and assisted his father with his farm.
In March, 1884, he married Miss Lena Freydenberg, of Eastland,
Norway, daughter of Christian and Mary (Pederson) Freydenberg,
who came to Wisconsin in 1880 and lived upon a farm in Vernon
county. Seven children blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs.
Rockney; Mary, Tosten. Martha, Morgan, Tilla, George and Mar-
vin, all of whom are still with their parents. Mr. Rockney has al-
ways been interested in farming although for four years he en-
gaged in the tobacco business at Deerfield. He devotes most of
his attention to dairying. Mr. Rockney votes the Republican ticket
but has never participated in politics to any great extent.

George O. Rockstad is a very prominent and popular young citi-
zen of the town of Springdale and is the owner and proprietor of
the "Prairie Lawn Stock Farm," where he carries on general farm-
ing, besides being an extensive breeder of thorough-bred Poland-
China hogs, red-poll cattle and fancy poultry. He was born in the
town where he now resides in Dane county. Wis.. October 8, 1875
and is the son of Ole and Betsy (Nelson) Rockstad, the father be-
ing a native of Norway and the mother of the town of Springdale.
The latter is a daughter of Nels Nelson, who was one of the
pioneers of that section of the county, and the subject of this re-
view owns land which his grandfather preempted from the govern-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 757

ment. Our subject's father followed farming and also worked as a
stone mason for several years in Springdale and neighboring towns,
(and for a time was a foreman on the Chicago & Northwestern rail-
way. About 1901 he retired from active participation in affairs,
and he and wife are living quietly in the village of Mt. Horeb.
George O. Rockstad is one of four children that were born to these
parents, only two of whom are now living — Belle, the sister, mar-
ried Andrew Lee and resides in Mt. Horeb. where her husband is.
the proprietor of the electric light plant. The subject of this re-
view was reared to manhood in his native towrn of Springdale and
has always had his residence within her confines. He received his
education in the district schools, and at the age of twenty-three
years began his independent career as a farmer on one hundred and
forty-eight acres of land. He has added to this tract until his
landed possessions now comprise three hundred and thirty-seven
acres of some of the finest and most arable land to be found in
Dane county. Mr. Rockstad was married on May 2, 1898, to Miss
Julia Severson. of Adams, Green county, Wis., and to this union
there have been born two children : Evangeline Beatrisa and Gar-
field St. O'Claire. Our subject is a Republican in his political
affiliations and fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order
of Mt. Horeb, Xo. 228.

Christian Frederic Rodefeld was one of the successful farmers of
Cottage Grove township, and here he so lived as to ever command
the unqualified respect and confidence of those with whom he came
in contact. His was a strong, noble manhood and his life was one
of signal usefulness and honor in all its relations. He was born in
Minden, province of Westphalia, Prussia. April 10, 1847, and he
died on his beautiful homestead farm, in section 8. Cottage Grove
township. January 21, 1899. He wras a son of Christian and Wil-
helmina Rodefeld. who likewise passed the closing years of their
lives in Dane county. Mr. Rodefeld passed the first eleven years of
his life in his native land, where he secured his rudimentary edu-
cational training, and he then accompanied his parents on their
immigration to America. The family first located in the city of
Schenectady, Xew York, they remained a few years, after which
they came to Dane county, settling in Blooming Grove township,
where the father engaged in farming. The subject of this memoir
assisted in the improving and cultivation of the home farm, while
he attended the district schools as opportunity offered. At the age
of twenty-two years he was married, remaining on the homestead
a few vears thereafter and then removing to Cottasre Grove town-

758 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

ship, where he purchased the homestead farm upon which he passed
the remainder of his life, — the present residence of his widow. He
purchased one hundred and sixty acres, and since his death Airs.
Rodefeld has purchased an adjoining forty acres, so that she now
has a fine estate of two hundred acres, while the improvements on
the place are of high type in every respect. Mrs. Rodefeld has
shown much discrimination and executive ability in the managing
of the affairs of the farm and its incidental business, and finds
her greatest solace in maintaining the high standard set by her
honored husband, while the homestead is endeared to her by the
memories and associations of the past. She is a devoted member
of the German Lutheran church, as was also her husband, and he
was a stanch Democrat in his political proclivities, never seeking
office but having served two years as clerk of the school board.
October 25, 1867, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Rodefeld to
Miss Louisa Brandhorst, who was born December 26, 1844, being a
daughter of Frederic and Louisa (Lubgking) Brandhorst, natives
of Germany, where they died. Two children survive the honored
father : Maria Louisa, who was born August 4, 1869, and who is
now the wife of John Slater, who had practical management of the
homestead farm of her mother; and Carolina Louisa, wdio was born
April 6, 1873. and who has been for the past five years a successful
and popular teacher in the public schools of the city of Beloit, Wis-
consin.

Ole K. Roe, a prominent citizen of Stoughton, is one of the lead-
ing dealers in Wisconsin tobacco in this part of the county and s a
representative of one of the sterling pioneer families of Dane county,
which has been his home from the t'me of his birth to the present.
He was born in Pleasant Springs township, August 24, 1851, and is
a son of Knud and Anna (Hellickson) Roe, who emigrated from
Norway to America in 1839, first locating in La Salle county. Illi-
nois, and two years later removing to Racine county. Wisconsin,
where they remained until 1843 when they came to Dane county,
where the father purchased a large tract of government land, in
Pleasant Springs township. He reclaimed a very considerable por-
tion of his land to cultivation and endured to the full the hardships
and vicissitudes of pioneer life. He was renowned as a hunter,
having hunted bear in his native land and having shot many deer
after coming to Dane county. He had the first ox team in the
neighborhood and with the same went to Milwaukee to do his mill-
ing and marketing, that being the nearest marketing point at that
time, and his neighbors were permitted the use of his plodding

BIOGRAPHICAL. 759

team for the same purpose. He died in 1874, at the age of seventy-
seven years and his widow is still living, having attained to the
venerable age of ninety years (1906) and still maintaining her home
in Dane county, whose development from the wilderness she has
personally witnessed. Of the ten children in the family seven
grew to maturity, and concerning them the following brief record
is. entered : Betsey is the wife of Ole Seamonson ; John is now de-
ceased ; Hellick K.. was the next in order of birth; Belle is the wife
of Ole Swerig; Alollie is the wife of Ole Thorsen ; Sophia is Airs.
King; and Ole K.. is the immediate subject of this sketch. Mr. Roe
was reared to the sturdy discipline of the pioneer farm, assisting
in its reclamation and cultivation and having such limited educa-
tonal advantages as were afforded in the somewhat primitive
schools of the locality and period. He remained on the homstead
farm, which comprised two hundred and eighty acres, until the
year 1875, when he began his independent career, on a farm of one
hundred and sixty acres, in Pleasant Springs township. He made
excellent improvements and developed a valuable property, remain-
ing on the farm until April 9, 1888. when he leased the place and
took up his residence in the city of Stoughton, where he has since
devoted his attention to the tobacco business, handling from six to
ten thousand cases of the native product each year and having been
identified with this line of enterprise for the past thirty-two years.
In 1891 he erected his present commodious and attractive residence
in Stoughton, still retaining possession of his farm. He is a stanch
supporter of the cause of the Republican party and takes an active
interest in public affairs of a local nature. He has been called to
various offices of distinctive trust and responsibility and has ably
fulfilled all duties involved. In 1881 he was elected treasurer of
Pleasant Springs township, and in 1890 he was chosen to repre-
sent the second ward of Stoughton on the board of aldermen, in
which capacity he served six years. He was honored with elec-
tion to the office of mayor of the city and served five terms in this
position, giving a most able administration of the municipal gov-
ernment and doing much to forward the best interests of the city.
It was within his incumbency of this office, and largely through his
influence, that the substantial and well equipped city hall of
Stoughton was erected. He was elected to represent the second
district in the assembly of the state legislature, serving one term.
He is a great lover of fine horses and served several years as treas-
urer of the Stoughton Driving Park association. December 26,
18?."), Mr. Roe was united in marriage to Miss Lena Felland. daugh-

760 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

ter of Ole and Helga Felland, early settlers of Pleasant Springs
township. Of the four children of this union two are living, one
of whom, Carl, is now a member of the Stoughton board of alder-
men, from the second ward. Mr. Roe and h'.s family hold member-
ship in Christ Lutheran church and are prominent in the social
life of the community.

E. O. Roisum has been a farmer in Windsor township for many
vears and is especially interested in stock-raising. Many valuable
draft horses have been raised and sold on his farm. His father,
Ole Roisum, was a pioneer of Dane county, who came from Nor-
way in 1846 and purchased the farm now owned by his son. He
married Miss Carrie Ethun, who was also born in Norway and
came to Dane county in 18-15. They were married in Windsor
and spent their entire married life upon the farm which they bought
when they were first married. Nine children were born to them,
of whom five are living. Their son. E. O., was born in the town
of Windsor, February 3. 1850, attended the home schools and has
always been a farmer. He aided his parents in the work which
has improved and equipped their farm and now owns the old home-
stead of two hundred and fifty-seven acres. He is a Republican
and has served the town in the capacity of supervisor and chair-
man of the board. July 3, 1871, he married Miss Johanna Rendahl,
who was born in the town of Windsor, Dane county. December 14,
1849 daughter of Joe and Carrie (Johnson) Rendahl who came to
Rock Prairie, 111., and later to Windsor, from Norway in 1845.
Mrs. Roisum is the only survivor of the family of two brothers,
who were born in Norway, and two sisters ; her parents are also
dead. Mr. and Mrs. Roisum have had three children ; John E.,
Olans M. and one who died in infancy. John E. and Olans at-
tended the home schools and the Dixon business college of Dixon,
111., and are engaged in managing the farm. Like their father,
they are allied with the Republican party. The family has always
been identified with the Norway Grove Lutheran church, of which
Ole Roisum was one of the original members and the sons are
members of the church choir as w^ell as of the De Forest cornet
band.

Henry Roles, a miller and farmer of the town of Berry, was born
in Hanover, Germany, December 29, 1847. He is a son of Frederick
ancl Johanna Sommas Rolfs, both natives of Hanover. Frederick
Rolfs was a farmer. Before Henry was very old his father died
and his mother brought him with the rest' of the family to America.
Shortly after arriving here she married Conrad Schala. By her

BIOGRAPHICAL. 761

first marriage she had three children, — Minnie, the wife of Henry
Schala of Cross Plains; Henry, the subject of this sketch, and Wil-
liam, who operates a large farm in the town of Berry. Henry
Rolfs' opportunity for an education was very limited. He lived
with his parents until he was thirty years of age and then located
on the place where he now lives, two hundred and sixty acres of
section 31, town of Berry. The land was partially cleared, but Mr.
Rolfs made all the improvements. His home he built in 1895.
His fine barn was burned to the ground at one time, but with char-
acteristic energy he replaced it with a larger and better structure.
Besides managing his farm, he owns and operates a grist-mill
where he does custom grinding. Politically he is a Democrat.
Like his parents, he is a member of the Lutheran church ; his wife
is a member of the Catholic church. On February 29. 1819, he mar-
ried Isabelle Dahmen, daughter of William and Isabelle (Klertz)
Dahmen. Mr. and Mrs. Dahmen were natives of Prussia, who
immigrated to this country in 1859, settling in the town of Spring-
field, where Mr. Dahman died in 1903. They had three children,
Christian and Jacob, farmers in the town of Springfield, and Isa-
belle (Mrs. Rolfs). To Mr. and Mrs. Rolfs has been born one son,
Fritz, wdio has always made his home with his parents.

Herman L. Rothe, a prosperous farmer of the town of Deerfield,
was born on the homestead where he now resides, on February 13.
1867. His parents were Lars L. and Engeborg (Molster) Rothe,
both natives of Voss. Norway. Lars L. Rothe came to the United
States in 1840 and for three years sa'ded the lakes; then he returned
to the old country, married, and brought his bride to Deerfield
township. This was in 1844. Late in that year he settled on sec-
tion 32, where he remained until his death in 1898. Of his twelve
children only four are living, — Torger, a resident of Hayfield,
Minn.; Julia (Mrs. O. B. Stevens), of Rice Lake, Wis.; Andrew,
lives in Mt. Horeb ; and Herman L.. the subject of this sketch.
The mother died January 1. 1904, having made her home with her
son Herman, after the death of her husband. Herman L. Rothe
received a good education in the district schools of the town of
Deerfield, Albion Academy and the Northwestern Business College
at Madison. For a couple of years after he became of age he
worked his father's farm on shares. In 1897 he purchased the old
homestead, the father and mother continuing to make their home
with their son until their death. Politically Mr. Rothe is a Re-
publican. At present he is the incumbent of the office of clerk
of the school board, serving his second term. His religious affilia-

762 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

tions are with the Norwegian Lutheran church, worshipping at the

edifice of that society in Deerfield. On May 18. 1898, he married
Helen, daughter of Ole and Breta (KggomJ Husebo of Deerfield.
Airs. Rothe was born in the town of Medina on August 31, 1868,
and received her education in the schools of that town. She is one
of ten children, nine of whom are living. — Susan (Mrs. S. Lever-
son), of Stoughton; Kuute and Andrew, now living in Sioux Falls,
S. D.; James, in Worthing, S. D.; Bessie and Mrs. Rothe. twins;
Bessie is now Mrs. William Huebsch ; and Severt and Ole, living
in the town of Medina. To Mr. and Mrs. Rothe have been born
four children. — Lloyd Orrin, July 28, 1899 ; Harry William, April
2, 1901 ; Dean Bertham, August 2?, 1002 ; and Franklin Ingman,
April 16, 1904. Few men have led a more devoted life than has
Mr. Rothe. The consideration and fidelity with which he cared
for his aged parents for so many years have been an inspiration to
his friends and neighbors. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rothe are people of
fine address.

August F. Roske is a well-known and successful farmer of the
township of Windsor and makes a specialty of a fine breed of Plym-
outh Rock poultry. He also carries on a general farming and stock-
raising business on the farm which his father owned before him.
His father, Michael Roski, was born in Germany in 1824, was edu-
cated in Germany and there married Miss Wilhelmina Lents, a
native of the same place, born in 1828. Their first years of married
life were spent in their native land, but in 1871 they decided to try
their fortunes in the United States and accordingly came to the
town of Bristol, Dane county, Wis. After a residence of a year in
Bristol they moved to Windsor, obtained a farm of ninety acres and
made it their permanent home. Here Mr. Roske died in 1890 and
his widow, seventy-eight years of age. still lives with her son.
Three members of their family of four children are living. Aug-
ust F. was born in Germany, February 3, 1866, came with his
parents to Wisconsin when he was but eight years old and was edu-
cated in Windsor township. He early engaged in farming which
has ever since been his occupation. His wife was, before her mar-
riage. Miss Anna Reuter, who was born in Blooming Grove, Wis,
daughter of Carl and Fredericka Reuter, both of whom were natives
of Germany, came to the United States in an early day and located
in Dane county, when it was a sparsely settled community. Their
home is now in Verona, Dane county. Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Roske
attend the Congregational church. Mr. Roske is allied with the

BIOGRAPHICAL. 763

Republican party and particularly active in school interests which
he has served as clerk of the school district for some time.

Thomas Royston, a general farmer of the village of Mazomanie,
was horn in Mazomanie, Dane county. Wis., November 20, 1861.
His parents were Reuben and Alary (Lockwood) Royston, natives of
Yorkshire, England. Reuben's father was John Royston of York-
shire, who emigrated to this country early in the century and was one
of the first settlers of the town of Mazomanie. He bought one hun-
dred and forty acres, built his home and lived the rest of his days on
the place. In 1844 John Royston, the grandfather of Thomas Royston,
came over from England. He worked at his trade of weaver and did
farming here. Reuben Royston's only sister married William Ellis.
Reuben Royston died in 1865. leaving four children, John, deceased;
Thomas, and William and John, both carpenters in Mazomanie. After
his death his wife married Daniel Kiley, a native of Wales, who has
since died. By this marriage she had three children, Daniel, of Mazo-
mlanie; Kate, wife of Edward Lawler of Chicago, and Charles of Mazo-
manie. Thomas Royston, the subject of this sketch, received his edu-
cation in the public schools of Mazomanie. He does general
farming and market gardening. For the past few years be has de-
voted a good deal of attention to the raising of bees and the making
of sorghum. Politically Mr. Royston is a Democrat, but has never
he,ld office. On January 27, 1881, he marrried Emma, daughter of
Willoughby and Martha (Norton) Hawley. natives of Yorkshire, Eng-
land, who came to this country in 1847. Mr. Hawley enlisted in the
Union army and met his death in one of the big engagements. Mrs.
Hawley has since passed away. Thomas and Emma Royston have
had five children, Ella, wife of William Kelly of Madison; Reuben, a
plumber in Madison; Bernetta, Charm, and Richard, at home. The
children were all educated in the home schools. On December 19,
1895, Mrs. Royston passed away. Mr. Royston is an active and able
member of the Mazomanie camp of the Modern Woodmen of America.
Manley S. Rowley, one of the well known and representative citi-
zens of the beautiful capital city of Wisconsin, and a veteran of the
Civil War, is identified with a line of enterprise which has important
and direct bearing upon the material and social advancement and
priority of every community, that involved in the handling of real es-
tate, in which line he here controls large and important interests, be-
ing known as one of the leading real-estate brokers of this part of the
Badger commonwealth. Mr. Rowley comes of stanch New England
stock and is a scion of a family there founded in the colonial era of

764 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

our national history. He was born in Vermont, May 24, 1842, and is
a son of Silas and Abigail (Cooper) Rowley, who removed to the
west when he was twelve years of age. locating in Berrien county,'
Michigan, where he was reared to maturity and completed his early
education in the common schools. His parents both died in that state,
his father having been a farmer by vocation. At the outbreak of the
Civil War, in response to the first call for three-year men, Mr. Rowley
enlisted in Twelfth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, of which he was
made sergeant major, proceeding to the front with his command and
continuing in active service therewith until September 1863, when he
was transferred to the Twelfth Michigan Volunteer Cavalry, in
which he was made adjutant. He remained in service for nearly
three years, having taken part in numerous engagements, including
the battle of Shiloh, and being a part of the troops which were in pur-
suit of Morgan during his famous raid through Kentucky, Ohio and
Indiana. Though he was never wounded, the hardships of his army
life caused Mr. Rowley's health to become seriously impaired, and
after several vain attempts to recuperate his energies without leaving
the field, he found it imperative to res'gn, by reason of such physical
disability, and received his honorable discharge, at Lexington, Ky.,
June 15, 1864. He returned to his old home in Xiles, Michigan,
where he remained until 1866, when he went to Ossian, Winneshiek
county, Iowa, where he was engaged in the clothing business for five
years, having been one of the pioneer merchants of the town. In
1870 Mr. Rowley took up his residence in Wisconsin's capital, which
has been his home the greater portion of the time during the inter-
vening period of more than thirty years. In the year mentioned he
opened in Madison a clothing and furnishing-goods establ'shment, on
Carroll street, building up a good trade and establishing himself
firmly in the confidence and esteem of the community. After
being thus engaged for twelve years Mr. Rowley ma die favorable re-
sponse to overtures extended by the well known hatters, Clark Broth-
ers, of New York city, whom he represented as a traveling salesman
until 1890. in the meanwhile maintaining his home in Madison. In
the year mentioned, he here established himself in his present line of
business enterprise, in which his success and preceelence are of the
most unequivocal order, as has already been stated. Mr. Rowley has
ever been an uncompromising advocate of the principles and policies
for which the Republican party stands sponsor, and he has been an
active factor in its local councils. He served one term as city treas-
urer of Madison, giving an able and satisfactory administration of the
fiscal affairs of the municipality. He is an appreciated member of

BIOGRAPHICAL. 765

Lucius Fairchild Post, No. 17, Grand Army of the Republic, and has
completed the circle of York Rite Masonry, being- affiliated with the
Commandery of Knights Templar at Decorah, Iowa, while his other
Masonic affiliations are with local bodies. 'On September 1, 1862,
Mr. Rowley was united in marriage to' Miss Julia M. Brooks, who wad
born and reared in Madison, being a daughter of one of its honored
pioneer citizens, Abiel E. Brooks, who here maintained his home for
more than two score years, his death occurring in July, 1891, at the
patriarchal age of ninety-one years. He was one of the prominent
and influential citizens of Madison, and. was the proprietor of Brooks'
addition to the city, one of the most important ever platted and one
that is represented in highly increased valuations. Mr. Brooks was a
valued member of the board of aldermen and his influence was exerted
in a helpful way in promoting the varied interests of the city which
was so long his home. He was born in 1800, in Rhode Island,
whence he removed to the state of New York, in its early stages of
development, being prominently identified with the building of differ-
ent government works, and finally becoming a contractor in connec-
tion with the construction if a canal in Canada. Later he became one of
the prominent pioneers of Niles, Michigan, whence he came to- Mad-
ison in 1847. Two years later he here organized a company, of which
he was made captain, and made the venturesome overland trip to the
newly discovered gold fields of California, where he remained about
three years, meeting with fair success in his mining operations, and
returning by the Isthmus of Panama, across the Gulf of Mexico and
up the Mississippi river and then onward to his destination in Madi-
son, where he made judicious investments in real estate, through
whose appreciation in value he gained a fortune. Mr. Rowley is the
father of three children all living — Leslie B. Rowley, an attorney and
real estate broker of Madison, Eugene C. Rowley, an agriculturalist
of Virginia, and Grace M. Miller, residing in Milwaukee. Mr. Row-
ley nas fourteen grandchildren, nine boys and five girls, seven of the
grandsons. — the sons of L. B. Rowley — being- named for their an-
cestors in the direct lineal line back to the landing of the Pilgrims at
Plymouth.

Edwin M. Rublee, a prominent builder and contractor of De For-
est, Wis., is a native of Albion, Dane county, Wis., of Norwegian or-
igin. Knudt Rublee, who came to Manitowoc county, Wis., with his
family, after the death of his wife in Norway, was the first represen-
tative of the family in Wisconsin. Even K. Rublee, his son. came to
Albion, Dane county, in 1848, married Miss Bergit Olson, also a na-
tive of Norway, and spent the remainder of his life in Albion, where

766 HISiORY OF DANE COUNTY

he owned a farm. He was a Republican, but not active in political
matters. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rublee, of whom
eight are living. The family attended the United Lutheran church of
Stoughton, Wis. Edwin M., their son, was born April 27, 1866, at-
tended the district school and the Norwegian school at Albion and
worked for some time upon the farm. The young man decided to be-
come a carpenter and accordingly learned that trade. In 1895, he came
to De Forest and has carried on an extensive building business. He
is also a manufacturer of sash, doors, tanks, etc., and does general mill
work. He has built up a large and prosperous -business. Since the
incorporation of the village of De Forest he has been a member of the
village council and is a member of the Republican party. November
28, 1897, he married Miss Maria Nordahl, who was born in Norway,
daughter of N. Nordahl, and three children have blessed the marriage;
Emery T., Myrtle R., and Esther B. The family attends the Norway
Grove Lutheran church.

Henry Rueter is one of the successful representatives of the agri-
cultural industry in Blooming Grove township. He was born in the
province of Hartum, Germany, December 6, 1871, and is a son of
Frederick and Mary (Schutte) Rueter, who still maintain their home in
Germany. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in his
native land, where he learned the trade of cigarmaking, which he there
followed as a vocation until the year 1889, when he immigrated to
America, believing that better opportunities were afforded in the
United States. When he left home his father gave him money with
which to pay his passage and two dollars additional, this being his en-
tire financial reinforcement. He arrived in New York city March 18,
of the year mentioned, and had the entire sum in his possession, hav-
ing worked his passage and thus retained his little patrimony. Mr.
Renter soon made his way to Wisconsin, and here he was employed as
a farm hand for the ensinug eleven years. At the expiration of this
period, on November 5, 1900, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Sophia
Swibbie, widow of Frederick Swibbie and a daughter of Carl and
Mary (Brandt) Knickimer, of Blooming Grove township, Dane

•ounty. Since his marriage he 'has had the management of the farm
which was owned by his wife at the time of their union. Their only
child. Emma Marie, born July 25. 1901, died in infancy. Mrs. Rueter
had three children by her first marriage, and two of the number are

[iving, the third having died in infancy: Marie Gertrude Hazel was
born April i, 1895, and Carl Henry August was born June 7, T897.

z

rJ

BIOGRAPHICAL. 767

Mr. Rueter is a Republican in politics and was reared in the faith ot
the Lutheran church, of which his wife is a member.

Louis C. Russ, one of its native citizens, carries one of the largest
furniture and undertaking business at Middleton, Wis He is of
German parentage. His father, Louis Russ, and his mother, ncc
Margaret Knopp, were born in Whitteburg, Germany. Louis Russ
was driver of the stage between Heidelberg and Mannheim for ten
years and came to America on a sailing vessel in 1854. For some
years he lived at College Point, L. I., where he married and decided
to come west with his wife. Accordingly in 1854 they made the
long journey to Wisconsin and secured a farm of forty acres of
wild land in Dane county, which they proceeded to clear. Since
then more land has been added from time to time until a nice farm
of one hundred and eighty-four acres represents the fruits of their
industry. Mrs. Russ makes her home in Middleton, her husband
having died in 1886. Of their four children, three are living, the
youngest daughter at home. Louis C. is the oldest son and was
born October 11, 1868, and educated in the home schools. He car-
ried on the work of the farm until 1898 when he moved to the vil-
lage of Middleton and commenced his present business which has
been successful under his able management. His integrity and
business ability have made him a prominent and respected citizen,
whose judgment is of value in a number of coiporations : notably,
the bank of Middleton, of which he is a stockholder and director;
the Farmers' Union Telephone Company, of which he was treas-
urer, and the German Lutheran church, of which he is also treas-
urer. In political sympathies Mr. Russ is a Republican. October 6,
1898,, he married Miss Caroline Durkopp, daughter of John and
Mary Durkopp of Mecklenburg Schwerin. One daughter, Mabel,
and one son, Florian, complete the family circle.

Christian O. Ruste is another of the young farmers of Dane
county who wisely concluded that it would be to his advantage to
remain in the locality of his birth and devote his energies and intel-
ligence to the basic industry of agriculture. He was born on the
farm where he now resides, in the town of Blue Mounds, Septem-
ber 20, 1866. and is the son of Ole Arneson Ruste and Anne (Slimsa)
Ruste. both of whom were natives of Norway. The parents were
married in 1850, and about the same time emigrated to America.
The father was a school teacher in his native country and followed
that occupation to some extent after his arrival in America. The
parents settled on the farm where their son now resides, in section
30, Blue Mounds township, purchasing the greater part of the land

768 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

from the general government, and the subject of this review has
some of the original deeds which were signed by President Pierce.
The farm now contains three hundred and fifty acres. The father
served as justice of the peace of Blue Mounds for thirty years con-
tinuously, and he also served as assessor and in other local offices.
Pie was the chief promoter in forming a school district in Blue
Mounds in 1854. and served as an officer on the school board from
that date until within a few years of his death, which occurred on
May 30, 1903. He was one of the founders of the Perry Lutheran
church and a member of its congregation all the remainder of his
life, contributing liberally to its support. The mother is li-ving
and she makes her home with the subject of this review. Of the
ten children born to these honored parents, six are living. Their
names and other facts concerning them are given as follows :
Anton is deceased; Inger married T. Arneson and resides in Barne-
veld, Wis. ; Erick has resided in South Dakota for the past twenty
years ; Allen is a merchant in Charles City, Iowa ; Sarah is the
widow of Rev. Mr. Syftestad, and resides in the city of Madison ;
Christian O. is the subject of this review; and Anna married Martin
Skindrud and resides in Klevenville, Dane county. The subject of
this review was reared in the town of Blue Mounds and received
his primary education in the public schools, after which he took a
course in the agricultural college of the University of Wisconsin,
and was graduated with the class of 1896. Pie is an enthusiastic
member of the Wisconsin horticultural society and was president
of the short course alumni for a number of years. After gradua-
tion he commenced his independent career as a farmer and has fol-
lowed that noble occupation during the decade that has intervened.
Aside from his general farming interests, which are large, he is one
of the most extensive breeders of Holstein cattle in Dane county,
and has met with gratifying success in every branch of what is
called the agricultural industry and its allied lines. Mr. Ruste was
married on January 27, 1887, to Miss Betsy Anderson, who was
born in Iowa county, the daughter of Ole and Guri (Flogum)
Anderson, both of whom are now deceased. They settled in Iowa
county in 1852, and the father died in 1898 at the age of seventy-
three, and the mother passed away on January 5, 1901). aged seventy-
five. During the last twelve years of their lives they had lived in
retirement in the village of Blue Mounds. Mr. and Mrs. Ruste are
the parents of seven children: Edwin. Olin, George, Anton, Anna,
Viola, and Luella, the two eldest being at present in school at
Northfield, Minn. Our subject is a member of the Modern Wood-

Richard V. Sagkr.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 769

men of America, and both he and his wife are members of the Royal
Neighbors and the Equitable Fraternal Union. At this writing-
Mr. Ruste is chairman of the town board of Blue Mounds, and he
has held office continuously since he was twenty-two years of age.
serving at different times as town clerk, supervisor, and justice of
the peace. His religious faith is expressed by membership in the
Lutheran church.

John J. Rutlin, a prominent farmer of Sun Prairie. Wis., is a son
of James and Julia Rutlin, both of whom were natives of Norway,
where they married, coming to America in 1847, and settling on a farm
in Christiana township where John J. Rutlin was born, May 20, 1861.
He was one of eight children and has two brothers living. His father
was a strong Republican and member of the Lutheran church. He
received his education in the common schools of Christiana township
and in 1879 was graduated from the Northwestern Business College
at Madison. Immediately following his graduation he was employed
as a clerk in a general store at Madison for seven years, after which
for several vears he was engaged in the tobacco business at Deerfield,
being associated with a brother and cousin. He was then employed
on the farm of his parents until March 13, 1894, when he bought a
farm of eighty acres in Bristol. He is now engaged in raising to-
bacco, and in addition does both general and stock farming. He has
always been a member of the Republican party and for three years
served as town clerk. He was also elected town treasurer for two years
and side supervisor for one year. During the six years of public
service he won the confidence of the voters of his district. He and his
family are members of the Lutheran church. On March 6, 1884, he
was married to Anna Matilda Swan, who was born in Christiana in
1862, the daughter of Andrew and Julia (Gilderhouse) Swan, both of
whom came to this country in 1843 from Norway. She was one of
a family of three sons and two daughters. Her father was a Repub-
lican in politics and in religion a Lutheran. Mr. and Mrs. Rutlin
have had eight children: Julia Jensina, Amanda Gustava. Joseph
Irving. Adelia Josephina. Winfred Melvin. Mabel Jerona, Otto Mon-
roe (deceased), and Sanford Monroe.

Richard V. Sager, a retired farmer of the town of Cottage Grove,
was born in Orleans county, N. Y.. November 28, 1835. His parents
were David and Caroline (Pangborn) Sager. the former a native of
Niagara count}', N. Y., and the latter of Germany. In 1840 David
Sager brought his family to Wiscons'n. His first home was in Janes-
ville. which at that time consisted of one small store a blacksmith
49— iii

770 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

shop, a log hotel and a saloon. He had left all his household goods at
Kenosha, then called Southport. After a year's stay in Janesville he
pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of land in Liberty Prairie in
Dane county. Here he built a rude but comfortable home and during
the first year of his residence assisted in the building of a log church
where the few settlers of the region gathered for worship and friendly
discourse. It happened that at one of the regular meetings a stranger
attended. He laid his hat on _a desk next to' where David Sager wa-
sitting, who noticed a paper tucked in the lining. Further exarrrina
tion revealed the fact that it contained the description of his own
claim. He immediately left the meeting and informed his family that
he was going to Milwaukee to head off a claim jumper. The trip was
made on foot, and not any too quickly, for Mr. Sager had no more
than completed his transaction before the claim jumper arrived with a
team. The money he raised to pay the necessary remittance was
loaned at twenty-five percent interest for five years. After a resi-
dence of about two years on Liberty Prairie the faultily found them-
selves in such straightened circumstances that it was necessary for the
son, who had been sent to the postofnce to mail an important letter, to
ask credit for the stamp. The postmaster refused to give it, but in-
formed the lad that he could work out the necessary amount. Know-
ing the necessity of having the letter sent, the boy agreed to the pro-
posal, and all day long he labored with a hoe in the postmaster's
garden. The family's arrival was just at the time when the wheat
was being grown so extensively throughout the county. The first
crop David Sager planted was put in with a wooden-tooth drag.
When the time for threshing came a place was selected on the prairie,
the grass was cut short, and the oxen were driven around it until the
grain was separated from the straw. To clean it two forked posts
were placed upright in the ground and across the top another post was
laid, the top being about eight feet from the ground. When a good
breeze was blowing-, Mr. Sager would climb to the top of his impro-
vised cleaner and drop the grain by handfuls into a blanket beneath,
allowing the wind to take away the chaff. During the residence on
Liberty Prairie as many as thirteen families occupied the rude shanty
at one time. The Sager family spent ten years on Liberty Prairie,
the first five on the original one hundred and sixty acres and the rest
on an eighty acre farm adjoining. After selling these two places they
moved onto the farm in the town of Cottage Grove which Richard V.
Sager now occupies. Caroline, wife of David Sager died March 25.
1867 and David Sager died May 23, 1894.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 771

Richard' V. Sager received a very limited education in the district
schools. He started life early as a farmer, living with his parents un-
til their death, and then continuing to manage the farm in his own be-
half. On October 15, i860, he married Nancy Ann Nichols, a daugh-
ter of Benjamin and Nancy Ann (Thompson) Nichols, a native of
New York, where she was horn December 14, 1837. To this union
were born five children, — Charles H., November 24.' 1863, married
Ella Wheeler of Iowa, and lives on a farm adjoining the homestead ;
Cora Belle, April 9, 1869, lives at home; Herbert B., June 12, 1874. at
home; Estella Evelyn, February 5, 1877, the wife of William Patter-
son of Stoughton ; and Dora May. December 20, 1880, now the wife
of A. H. Hoffman of Pleasant Springs. From time to time Mr.
Sager added to the farm until it contained two hundred and fifty-nine
acres, one acre being cut out for the cemetery, and worked it actively
himself until the death of his wife, which occurred December 28, 1889,
when he deeded eighty acres to a son, who has s'nce managed it. After
three years Mr. Sager was united in marriage to the widowed sister
of his first wife. For a number of years he has been practically re-
tired, leaving the general management of the place to his sonj while he
oversees the details. Politically he is a Republican, and while he has
often been urged to become a candidate for office he has steadfastly re-
fused, preferring to exercise his right of franchise without the em-
barassment which the incumbency of an office would naturally impose
upon him. In religious matters he is affiliated with the Presbyterian
church. Mr. Sager is wonderfully well-preserved, and his many hard-
ships and deprivations seemed rather to have added to his remarkable
physique than taken from it. He is of a pleasing, kindly disposition,
a tra:t which all of his children seem to have inherited. Socially he is
one of the leaders of the town of Cottage Grove.

Erick L. Sampson is a well-known farmer of Vienna township
and was the owner of the first threshing machinery in that section
of the county. Lars Sampson, his father, was an early settler of
Vienna, where he arrived in 1847. Mrs. Lars Sampson, who was Miss
Susan Farness, came to Vienna with Lars Sampson's family and here
married Mr. Sampson. Six children blessed the marriage, of whom
but two are living, a daughter, wife of T. T. Erickson, and their son,
Erick. Lars Sampson owned a large property in Vienna, a farm of
four hundred acres, all of the improvements having been made by
himself, and for many years carried on an extensive business. He
was a Republican but not an office-holder. Mr. and Mrs. Sampson
on the old homestead, now managed by her son, Erick; her husband
joined the Lutheran Evangelical church. Mrs. Sampson still lives

772 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

died in March, 1879, eighty-two years of age. Their son, Erick L.,
was born in the farm on Vienna, September 20, 1858, was educated
at the Wisconsin school for the deaf at Delavan, Wis., and the Gallauet
college at Kendall Green, Washington, D. C. A farm of fifty-four
and one-half acres is owned by him and he manages the farm belong-
ing to his mother. For sixteen years he operated a thresher and
owned a complete equipment of stacker, grain weigher, band cutter,
self feeder, engine tender, clover huller, etc. Mr. Sampson is allied
with the Republican party but is not an active politician. His marriage
to Miss Nettie Molster occurred October 4, 1883, and four children
have been borne to them: Josie R., Lawrence, now deceased, Erick
and Edna. Mrs. Sampson is the daughter of Levi and Willa (Grenwis)
Molster, and was born in Merton, Wraukesha county, January 26,
1859. Her father was born in Phoenixville, Pa., in 1832, and her
mother was a native of Holland. They were married in Merton, Wis.,
and had a family of ten children, of whom eight are now living.
Their children were reared in the Baptist faith, but Mrs. Sampson's
family belonged to the Lutheran Evangelical church. Mr. Molster
was a farmer in Wraukesha county and associatedi with the Repub-
lican party.

Arthur L. Sanborn, judge of the western district Federal court
of Wisconsin, was born November ij, 1850, in Brasher Falls, a little
village on the St. Regis river in the northern part of St. Lawrence
county, N. Y. When he was nine years of age he came with his family
to Wisconsin, and Lake Geneva, Walworth county, was selected as
their home, and there his boyhood was spent and his early education
received. When he was nineteen years of age he removed to Elkhorn,
the county seat, and there began his study of the law, which later
was continued in the law school of the University of Wisconsin.
He began the practice of law in Elkhorn and remained there until
1879, holding for four years of that time — from January. 1875, to Jan_
uary 1879, — the position of register of deeds for Walworth county.
In 1879 he came to Madison and the following year formed a partner-
ship with Hon. S. U. Pinney, one of the early comers of Dane county,
and a man of wide influence in the city and the state. This partner-
ship under the name of Pinney & Sanborn lasted until the election of
the senior member to the supreme bench in 1892. He later formed a
partnership with John L. Spooner, and then with Messrs. Luse and
Powell, under the firm name of Sanborn, Luse & Powell, which ex-
isted until his appointment to> the bench in 1905. Beside his general
practice as an attorney Judge Sanborn has held various positions of

BIOGRAPHICAL. 773

trust and responsibility; from 1884 to 1887 he was a member of the
faculty of the law school of the University of Wisconsin; from 1893 to
1900 he was a member of the board of examiners for admission to the
bar; for several years he was a member of the Madison police and
fire commission; in 1898 he was placed on the commission to revise
'the statutes and was joint editor in that work ; he was also a member
of the commission on uniform legislation. Judge Sanborn was mar-
ried in Elkhorn, October 15, 1874, to Miss Alice E. Golder, a native
of Onondaga county, Xew York, and four children have been born
to them: John Bell, Eugene H., Katherine W., and Philip (j. John B.
Sanborn followed his father in the choice of a profession and is one of
the most promising of the younger attorneys. He was graduated from
the University of Wisconsin in 1896. with the degree of B. L., received
his M. L. in 1897, and his Ph. D. in 1899. He spent one year as an
instructor in American history at the University of Ohio and in Sep-
tember, 1 901, became a partner in the law firm of which his father
was the senior partner, and another office was opened in West Su-
perior. Upon the retirement of Judge Ronianzo Bunn from the Fed-
eral court in January. 1905, Mr. Sanborn was appointed by President
Roosevelt to succeed him. The following extract from the Milwaukee
Sentinel fairly expresses the attitude of the public upon.the appoint-
ment: "Through the appointment of Mr. Sanborn the district bench
will receive a valuable and conscientious accession. He is a man of
highly recognized legal ability, with a standing before bench and bar
that will make his appointment most satisfactory. Senators Spooner
and Ouarles, in recommending Mr. Sanborn as Judge Bunn's suc-
cessor, have closely followed the undoubted preferences of the great
majority of the members of the Wisconsin bar, and his selection will
prove satisfactory to the general public as well." Judge Sanborn has
no superior, possibly no equal, on the bench of Wisconsin in his
knowledge of law ; this qualification, coupled his keen analytical mind
and fair and impartial judgment, make him a man well fitted for his
position and a worthy successor to the eminent judges who have pre-
ceded him on the Federal bench.

Ernest A. Sanders, a successful merchant of Marshall, is of Swe-
dish parentage. His father, John F. Sanders, was born in Sweden,
October 16, 1837. as was also his mother, Emily A. (Helmer)
Unger Sanders, and his paternal grandfather. Carl Sanders. The
parents came to Milwaukee in 185G, the following year they went
to Iowa, but in 1859 returned to Wisconsin and settled in Marshall,
where they have since resided. Tn Marshall Mr. Sanders began

774 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

working at his trade, that of a shoemaker, which he follows at the
present time, also running a shoe store in connection with his shop.
In politics he is a Prohibitionist and is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church ; his wife, who died in 1888, was a Lutheran.
They had four children: Ernest, the subject of this sketch; Fred;
Conrad C. ; Archibald. Mr. John F. Sanders enlisted as a private
in Company C of the Eleventh Regiment, Wisconsin volunteer
infantry, August, 1864, and served until mustered out at the close
of the war, June, 1865. His son Ernest was educated at the Mar-
shall academy, and began life as a clerk in the vilalge of Marshall
where he was born August 5, 1850. He began his mercantile life
at the early age of thirteen years. In 1881 he went in as a clerk
for Samuel Blascoer, one of the oldest merchants of the village, and
in 1885 began an independent business, which he has successfully
followed, up to the present time, building, in 1898, the store which
he occupies, a building -10x80 feet. Beside his mercantile business
he is largely interested in farming, stock feeding, and poultry. He
is a member of the Equitable Fraternal Union, the Modern Wood-
men of America, and the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance
Company, and attends and supports both the Methodist Episcopal
and Lutheran churches. Fie was united in marriage February 24,
1806, to Miss Harma B. McPherson, born in Marshall in 1868,
daughter of Elijah and Margaret (Buchannan) McPherson, of Mar-
shall. Their children are Arnie M. ; Margaret Lucille ; Gerald
Ernest. Mrs. Sanders' parents came to Marshall in 1861, which
has since been their residence. Mr. McPherson was born in
Franklin county, N. Y., August 15, 1822, and his wife in Scotland,
January 11, 1827; she came to Canada in 1840 and was married to
Mr. McPherson in 1844. They have had nine children of whom
seven are living. Mrs. Sanders' paternal grandparents were Moses
and Sallie (Jackson) McPherson, both born in Vermont. They
came to Wisconsin and both died in Peshtigo, Wis. Mr. McPher-
son was a blacksmith and lived in Marshall for many years. Mrs.
Sanders' maternal grandparents were Archibald and Christie
(McCalpin) Buchaunan, who lived and died in Scotland.

Irving J. Sanderson, a prosperous farmer of the town of Black
Earth, was born at Middleville, Herkimer county, N. Y., April 12,
1844. His parents were Joseph and Mary Ann (Farmer) Sanderso.i.
natives of the same county, where the father was a carpenter. Both
parents died in the county of their nativity, leaving six children,
EstherA., now Mrs. Taber, of Herkimer, N. Y. ; Irving J., the sub-
ject of this sketch; Ale.-, Mrs. Jackson, of Middleville, N. Y. (de-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 775

ceased) ; Viola and Hattie, who died young; Frank H.. now a resident
of Vallejo, California. Irving J. Sanderson was educated in the- dis-
trict schools of Xew York. On August 6. 1862, lie enlisted in Com-
pany C, One Hundred and Twenty-first Xew York Infantry. This
regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and saw service
in the battles of Antietam, Gettysburg and the Wilderness, where Mr.
Sanderson was taken prisoner and sent to Anderson ville prison.
Later he was moved to Florence stockade and then transferred. After
a sixty-days furlough he rejoined his regiment before Petersburg, and
when hostilities ceased went with it to Washington, but was too ill to
take part in the grand review. In July. 1865. he received his honor-
able discharge and returned home where he started making cheese. In
1875 he came west, settling on one hundred and tlrrty-three and one
half acres of the old Manwaring place which he purchased. Later he
added some ninety-six acres to this, and has generally improved the
farm. He has continued making cheese while carrying on general
farming, and for over forty years has been known as a famous cheese
maker. In politics he works for the success of the Republican party,
but has never aspired to office. On June 16, 1877, ne married Emma S..
daughter of William and Amanda Snyder Manwaring, both natives of
New York. Mr. and Mrs. Manwaring were married September 22,
1851, at Burlington. Wis., where he had come in 1849 and his wife had
come two years earlier. In 1853 they moved onto an eighty acre farm in
the town of Mazomanie. and later onto the one hundred and sixtv
acre place where the subject of this sketch now resides. Mrs. Sand-
erson was the second of three children, the others being George, now
living in Black Earth, and Arthur H.. now a resident of Spring Green,
Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson have had five children : Bessie, died No-
vember 26, 1903; William J., lives at home with his parents; Mabel,
died December 14. 1888; Mary, died August 4,, 1886; and Lyman, died
March 4, 1888.

Hans H. Sater (deceased), at the time of his death superintendent
of the plow works at Dubuque, Iowa, was for many years a resident
of Madison. Wis. He was born in Norway. December 26. 1842, son of
Hulstine Sater, who was a blacksmith and manufacturer of plows.
Hans H. attended the public school at his home in Norway and was
taught by his father in the art of plow-making. While quite a young
man he determined to try his fortunes in America, and, nothing
daunted by the fact that he was destitute of money in a strange land,
he went bravely to work to follow his trade. His first home in Wis-
consin was at Orfordville and here he entered into partnership with
a Mr. Mitchell, made plows by hand, did a general blacksmith's work

776 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

and in 1875 engaged in the same business in Brodhead, where he re-
mained four years. In October, 1879, Mr. Sater was instrumental in
the organization of a company for the manufacture of plows in Du-
buque, Iowa, and was made superintendent of the manufacturing
department. After ten years he sold his interest in the establishment
and moved to Madison, where he was employed by the Fuller & John-
son Company for five years as superintendent of the plow department.
For two years he retired from active work and then went to Janes-
ville, Wis., and superintended the manufacture of plows for the Janes-
ville Machine Company. For some years Mr. Sater s health gradu-
ally failed, and after his death in 1904, his widow returned to their old
home in Madison. For some time Mr. Sater was a partner of Mr.
Hanson in the Wisconsin Wagon Company. He married Miss Bar-
bara Jensvold, born in Albany, Wis., March 10, 1855, daughter of
Christian and Sarah (Gorden) Jensvold. Three children were born to
the marriage: Melvin Hjalmar, who is note clerk of the First National
Bank of Madison, Wis.; Josephine, who married Herbert Kropf of
Chicago, and Ada Charlotte, who lives with her mother. Mr. Sater
was identified with the Republican party.

Stephen Perry Saunders is the owner of a fine farm of one hun-
dred and twenty acres at Albion, all under cultivation, where he car-
ries on an extensive business. He is greatly interested in stock-rais-
ing and is a veterinary surgeon. Many fine horses are raised upon
his farm besides Durham cattle and Chester White hogs. In 1900 he
built the store which he manages at present and where he has also lo-
cated the central telephone office. Mr. Saunders is a native of Rhode
Island, son of Capt. Perry Saunders of Washington county, who mar-
ried Miss Emimeline Crandall of the same county. For thirty years
Captain Saunders was a sea captain, navigating mainly the waters be-
tween New York and the West Indies. In 1865, with his wife and
three children, he came to Albion, Dane county, Wis. and purchased
a farm of three hundred and five acres in section 22. He lived there
until his death in 1902. Mrs. Saunders died in 1865 and the captain
married Sarah Ann Crandall. sister of his first wife, who still lives on
the Albion farm. Captain Saunders organized the Albion Fire In-
surance Co. and was its treasurer. He also served on the town board
and took an active pairt in the affairs of the town. The family be-
longed to the Seventh-day Baptist church of Albion. Three children
wire born to the first marriage; Stephen P., George L., who is a re-
tired farmer of Edgerton, and Mallisa, who married Dr. A. W. Ed-
wads and died in 1893. Stephen P. was born in Rhode Island, May
6, 1850, attended the Albion academy and lived with his parents until

BIOGRAPHICAL. 777

his marriage. January i, 1873. he married Miss Mary L. Humphrey,
who was born in Christiania, daughter of Nathan H. Humphrey, who
came to Wisconsin from Xew York. Mr. Humphrey married
Laura A. Xeff, also from Xew York, who died in i860, leaving one
daughter, Mrs. Saunders. Mr. Humphrey's second wife was Miss
Louisa Cottrell. They were members of the Episcopal church and
lived upon the farm in section 34. Christiania, generally known as the
old Humphrey homestead, now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Saunders.
Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Saunders; Harlow N. died
in 1883; Oliver Perry attended the Albion academy and resides with
his parents ; Nathan Howard attends the Albion academy. Mr.
Saunders is a member of the Democratic party hue has never desired
to hold office. With his family he attends the Methodist Episcopal
church.

George C. Sayle, president of the Sayle Building and Manufactur-
ing Company, was born in Dane county on the day before Christ-
mas. 1865. His ancestry is Irish, his father and mother, George
and Mary (DeLaney) Sayle. emigrating from the Emerald Isle in
the early fifties. The father was a farmer in a small way in the
old country and continued in the same line of work after settling
in Dane county. He died in 1891 at the age of seventy. The
mother still resides in Madison and although she has passed four
score years is still vigorous. George C. Sayle was the fourth in a
family of six children: Anna, now Mrs. P. H. Carr of Chicago;
Margaret. Mrs. Edward McDonald, died at the age of forty-one;
William, died at the age of twenty-one ; George C. ; Richard, living
in Madison ; and Mary, who died in infancy. Mr. Sayle received
his education in the public schools of Madison. He learned
his trade in the capital city and in 1890 in partnership with
a Mr. Olson established the firm of Olson & Sayle. This concern
lasted but a year, and then Mr. Sayle assumed the business himself,
Since that time he has built a goodly proportion of the residences
and a number of the new school buildings. His increase of busi-
ness from year to year is evidence of the fact that his work has
been highly satisfactory to his patrons. In the later eighties he
served as supervisor of his ward and later served three terms in the
city council. In 1892 he married Sarah, daughter of John and
Honora (Quinn) Keyes of Madison. Mrs. Keyes died in 1889 and
her husband March 2, 1906, at the age of ninety years. They left
six children: three sons, — John. William, and Jeremiah, all living
in Madison. — and three daughters, — Mary, now Mrs. McMillen of
Milwaukee, Miss Elizabeth, and Mrs. Sayle. Mr. and Mrs. Sayle

778 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

have two children. Alary and George. The family are all members
of the Catholic church and the father belongs to the Catholic For-
esters.

D. J. Scanlon, a prosperous and enterprising farmer in the town
of ( )regon, whose post-office is Brooklyn. Green county, was born in
County Sligo, Ireland, July 4. 1866. He is a son of John and Eliza-
beth (Drury) Scanlon, natives of County Sligo, Ireland, where his
father was born in 1832 and the mother in 1829. They came to Madi-
son together in 1870, the father devoting himself to agricultural pur-
suits, and in 1876 removed to the farm on which the subject of this
sketch now makes his home. The father's death occurred September
29, 1902. He was a Catholic in his religious affiliations and in polit-
ical affairs was identified with the Democratic party. For ten years
he was an officer of the board of education of his district. His widow
is still living, making her home with her son, D. J. Scanlon, the eldest
son. The other two children in the family were Bridget E. (Mrs. Car-
roll), deceased, and Michael F., a resident of Stoughtoh. D. T. Scan-
Ian attended the district schools of the town of Oregon and then com-
pleted his scholastic work with a course in the Northwestern Business
College of Madison, since that time merged in the Capital City Com-
mercial College. He left school to engage in railroad work in the
engineering department, where he remained one year. He left that
department to become an employe of the bridge construction division
and in 1889 retired from the transportation business to follow the agri-
cultural pursuits with his father. Since that time he has been con-
tinuously engaged in farming, excepting a year in 1901-1902, when
he was the Oregon agent, with Mr. Cullon, for a farm implement
firm. His especial lines are the breeding of short-horn cattle and
Poland China swine, which has been both remunerative, and from a
scientific standpoint, successful. Politically he is absolutely indepen-
dent, casting his vote as ;his judgment dictates. For the past nine-
teen years he has been a member of the district school board. Mr.
Scanlan is unmarried. His farm of three hundred acres is one of the
best improved places in the county.

Frederick Schenck, a merchant at 2016 Atwood avenue, Madison,
was born in Hanover. Germany. March 8. 1848. He is the son of
Christian and Marie (Meyer) Schenck, both natives of Germany.
The father was a forester for the German government. His birth-
place was Bevenson. province of Hanover, but because of the burn-
ing of the official records the exact date of birth is not known. It
was sometime between 1810 and 1S13. He was an excellent work-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 779

man in his line. His death occurred in June, 1868. The same year
his widow came to the United States, with the subject of this
sketch, and located in Reedsburg. Wis. Until the time of her death
in her seventy-first year, she made her home with a daughter,
Dorothea Kroeger. She was a woman of noble qualities. Of her
seven children four are still living. Frederick Schenck was the
sixth child of the family. He received his education in the schools
of his native country, including a musical training, and in 1868
brought his widowed mother to the United States. On his arrival
he went to Reedsburg but later in the same year came to [Madison.
He has been engaged in different occupations. He has played in a
band and labored as a painter. During the administration of Gov-
ernor Taylor he was employed in the state capitol. He then man-
aged an hotel and a mercantile establishment in Leeds for fifteen
years and in 1803 returned to [Madison. It was then that he estab-
lished what has become known as "Schenck's Corners." He has
lived in that immediate neighborhood ever since and today con-
ducts a general mercantile store there. He inherits his father's
love for nature and is greatly interested in gardening and flower
raising. On July 10, 1873, Mr. Schenck led to the altar Miss Mina
Kelgast, a native of Germany, who came to the United States the
same year that he did. Her parents were Fritz and Sophie Kelgast.
The father died in Germany and the mother in this country on
October 13, 1905, at the age of eighty-eight. [Mrs. Schenck is one
of six children, of whom five are living. She is the mother of seven
children, two of whom, Emma. and Ella, died in infancy. Of the
others, Matilda is clerk in her father's store. Herbert is employed
by a lumber firm in Orfordville. He married Clara Sater, by whom
he has one child, Helen. Fredrick is with the Mason-Kipp com-
pany of [Madison. Elsie and W illiam, the two youngest, are stu-
dents in the [Madison high school. The family arc communicants
of St. John's Lutheran church. [Mr. Schenck is a member of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and at present is the treasurer
of the order. He has held all the offices in the organization to
which the local lodge could elect him. He is a type of the thrifty
German citizens who in great part are the embodiment of 'the pros-
perity of a community.

Rev. Ernest F. Scherbel, prominent in the Evangelical Lutheran
church at Middletdn, was born at Gruenlichtenberg, Saxony, April II,
1850, the son of Johann G. and Amalie (Moritz) Scherbel, both natives
of Saxony, Germany. His father was active in school and church
work up to the tune of his death in 1889. Ernest Scherbel was edu-

780 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

cated in the common schools until 1862, subsequently in the Fuersten-
schule at Meissen and the Missionschule at Leipzig. On April 1,
1870, he was enrolled as a private in the Fifth Escadron of the First
Uhlans and served in the Franco-German war, participating in thirty-
two engagements. He was decorated with the Iron Cross and in
1897 received a medal on the one hundreth anniversary of the birthday
of Emperor William. In September, 1871 he was mustered out as ser-
geant and non-commissioned officer. He then was sent as missionary
to JVIarrazo, Africa, and afterward came to America. Of a large fam-
ily, Ernest was the only one to come to this country, leaving two
brothers and five sisters in the Fatherland. At the age of twenty-five
years, he took charge of a church at Wheeling, West Virginia, from
which he was called a year later to a parish at Teffriesburg, Mo. His
pastorate here lasted two and one-half years and was followed by a
charge at Manchester, Green Lake county, Wis., five years, after
which he moved to Middleton, Wis., in April, 1884. He was married
in January, 1878, to Miss Anna Schroeder of Silver Creek, Sheboygan
county, daughter of William and Ernestine (Zimmerman) Schroeder.
Five children were born to them ; the eldest, Alexius, is a bookkeeper
for the Standard Oil Co.; the second, Herbert, is a machinist at Mad-
ison, Wis.; the third, Olga, is employed at Racine, Wis., and the two
youngest daughters, Irma and Deborah, remain at home. Mr. Scher-
bel is faithful to the Republican party, though too much occupied with
church matters to take a prominent part in politics. As a minister of
the church he has been most energetic and successful. Six churches
owe their establishments to his efforts and three their restoration to
usefulness. At Middleton he has established many substantial im-
provements, organized a singing society, a men's choir and a mixed
choir. Closely allied with the success of many churches and always
able to notably increase the attendance upon those of which he had
charge, the celebration of Mr. Scherbel's twenty-fifth anniversary of
ordination was an event of importance in church circles. He also
officiated at the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the first
Lutheran church in the town of Middleton, in 1902, and in 1904, at a
similar celebration of St. John's church in the town of Berry.

Charles Schernecker, president and manager of the Interurban
Telephone company with offices at Sun Pra'rie. Wis., has enjoyed a
noteworthy career, rising to his present position through his own per-
severing efforts. His family home is at North Bristol. He was born
at Bristol, Dane county, "May 6, 1862, and comes o'f a fam'ly of six
sons and one daughter. His parents, Lawrence and May ( Stroh-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 781

menger) Schernecker were natives of Germany, the former being-
born February 24, 1833. and the latter February 24. 1837. His pa-
ternal grandfather was Andrew Schernecker, who was born in Ger-
many November 30, 1801, and who, with his wife, Catharine, re-
moved to America in 1846. settling in Bristol where he took up eighty
acres of land, later adding forty acres to this. He and his wife were
ardent Catholics and assisted in building three different churches.
They had eight children, six of whom are living. Lawrence received
his education in German} and also in the common schools of Bristol.
In politics he was always a stanch member of the Democratic party and
he and his family were members of the Catholic church. His wife
was the daughter of George Strohmenger, who was born in Germany
in 1803. He married Miss Barbara Keller in Germany and came in
1847 to Bristol, where he died in 1880, his wife dying in 1876. They
had six children, three of whom are living. Charles Schernecker, the
subject of this sketch, received his education in the common schools of
Bristol. He engaged in agricultural pursuits until twenty-six years
of age, when he removed to the village of North Bristol, in which
place he remained for eleven years. After two vears spent in the real
estate business he became interested in the public telephone service and
was one of the originators of the Interurban Telephone company,
serving as its president since its organization. In politics he has long
been connected with the Democratic party. He was married Novem-
ber 20, 1895, to Miss Florence Arians, the daughter of John and Julia
(Sommermeyer) Arians, both early settlers of Bristol township. One
child. Mary Julia Alice, has been born to them. Mr. and Mrs. Scher-
nencker are both members of the Catholic church.

Frank Schey is the owner and manager of the York Center
Creamery, a native of the town of York. He is of German descent ,
his parents. Jacob and Barbara (Weber) Schey, were born, educated
and married in Germany and came to the United States soon after
their marriage. They obtained a large farm in York township,
cleared and improved it and made it their home for many vears. In
later life they moved to East Bristol, where Mr. Schey died. East
Bristol is still the home of Mrs. Schey. Mr. Schey was a member of
the Democratic party and active in its interests. Of lis family of
eight children, six are living. The family belongs to the German Cath-
olic church. Frank Schey was born on the farm in York, July 3,
1873, attended the homle schools and early engaged in fanning. His
farm is a well-equipped property of two hundred and eighteen acres
on which he carries on a general farming business and raises consid-
erable stock. He became interested in the creamery business and now

782 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

owns and operates the York Center Creamery which he is now engaged
in improving by the addition of a complete and up-to-date new building.
Air. Schey is always active in promoting the best interests of the town
and has served it as supervisor. He is a Democrat. February 17,
1894, he married Miss Caroline Trapp, who is a native of Hamden,
"Wis. Her father, Casper Trapp, and her mother, Verona (Riedner)
Trapp, reside in Columbia county. Air. and Mrs. Schey have one
son, Alexander Henry, born February 17, 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Schey
attend the German Catholic church. Mr. Schey is a member of the
Modern Woodmen and of the Beavers.

Rev. John N. Schiltz, pastor of St. Michael's church of Dane and
St. Patrick's church (Catholic), of Lodi, was born in the town of Bel-
gium, Ozaukee county, Wis., December 4, 1872. His father, Peter
Schlitz, was born in Belgium, January 21, 1841, and his mother, Susan-
nah (Freyling) Schlitz, on October 20, 1840. They were married in
Belgium and came to the United States in 1868, settling in the town
of Belgium, Ozaukee county. Mr Schlitz was a wagon-maker by-
trade and there kept a shop. There were three sons and three daugh-
ters in the family: Michael, (deceased); Michael, of Melrose, Minn.,
a teacher by profession; Mary, of Theresa, Wis.; John N., the sub-
ject of this sketch; Barbara, of Evanston, 111.; Rose, of Lake Church,
the old homestead. Rev. J. N. Schlitz was educated in the public
school of Belgium (later known as Lake Church), and in the parochial
school of the same place for one year ; he was nine years a student at
St. Francis, graduating in 1896. He was assistant pastor at Burling-
ton for thirteen months, and four years at St. Anthony's church, Mil-
waukee. He served one year at Mt. Horeb and in 1902 was installed
in his present position.

Albert G. Schmedeman is the senior member of the firm of
Schmedeman & Baillie, proprietors of one of the largest clothing es-
tablishments in the city of Madison, and it has been largely to the
former's keen practical judgment that their remarkable success has
been due. Mr. Schmedeman is a native of Madison, having been born
in the city on November 25, 1864, and during all of his mature life
he has been identified with its bus'ness affairs. He, is the son of
Henry and Wilhelmina (Camien) Schmedeman, both natives of Ger-
many, who migrated to the United States in 1850. They came di-
rectly to Wisconsin, making the trip on the lakes as far as Milwaukee,
and then drove across the country to Madison. In his native land the
father learned the trade of a tailor, and upon arriving in the capital
city he at once opened a shop and began work in that line, being
among the first t<> follow the tailoring business there. He continued

BIOGRAPHICAL. 783

so engaged for a number of years, well-earned success crowning his
efforts, and he is at present living in retirement, his good wife, who
was his helpmate in the truest sense of the term, having passed away
in 1901. Albert G. Schmedeman was reared to manhood in the city
and received his education in the Madison public schools. He began
his independent career as a salesman in the clothing establishment of
Olsen, Winden & Veerhusen and continued with that firm for a num-
ber of years, thoroughly mastering the details of the business and fit-
ting himself for the success that has attended his efforts in later years.
The firm of which he is now the senior member was organized in 1888,
the name at that time being Winden, Grinde & Schmedeman, but
upon the death of Mr. Winden !n 1892, Messrs. Grinde & Schmede-
man became the sole proprietors. Mr. Grinde disposed of his interest
a few years later to E. T. Baillie, and the present well-known firm-
name has since appeared over the door of the popular place of bus-
iness at Xo. 25 East Main Street, the place it has occupied since it
was first established, eighteen years ago. The firm does an extensive
business in clothing, gentlemen's furnishings and tailor-made goods,
employing from fourteen to twenty tailors and several salesmen, and
in addition to the brisk local trade, goods are sent to California, New
York, and Texas, as well as to all of the towns surrounding Madison.
Mr. Schmedeman is a Democrat in his political tendencies, but he
usually maintains an independent attitude, especially in local affairs,
and supports the men and policies that appeal to his better judgment.
He takes a deep interest in civic matters and his ability has been rec-
ognized by an election to the position of alderman for the fourth
ward of the city of Madison, which function he is now exercising. In
his religious faith he is an Episcopal'an, and in his fraternal relations
he has membership in the Masonic order, the Benevolent and Pro-
tective Order of Elks, Modern Woodmen of America, and various
German societies. Mr. Schmedeman was married on June 1, 1893,
taking as his companion on the journey of life Miss Kate M. Regan,
daughter of Thomas and Susan M. (Pierce) Regan, old and re-
spected citizens of Madison, where the daughter was bom and the
father still resides. The mother, who is deceased, was a native of
Dane county, and the father was born in Ireland. Mr. and Mrs.
Schmedeman are the parents of two very promising and interesting
children, Katharine and Albert George.

Rudolph A. Schmitt, a prosperous and well-known farmer of Sun
Prairie, Wis., is a life-long resident of Dane county, having been
born on the family homestead at East Bristol, June 2fi. 1849. His
mother. Mary Schmitt. was born in Germany. February 19. 1823,

784 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

and died at her home at Sheboygan, October 2, 1893, Rudolph
Schmitt being her only child. The Schmitt family has been closely
associated with the history of Dane county since an early date.
Joseph Schmitt, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Ger-
many, March 3, 1789. Coming to this country in 1845 he settled in
Bristol and took up seven hundred acres of government land. Part
of this land was later sold, but the five hundred and twenty acres
which were retained and cleared have become the family home-
stead. He and his wife. Ava Schmitt, were members of the Catho-
lic church and helped in the building of the first church of that
denomination in the vicinity of their home. At one time the serv-
ices of the church were carried on in their own house. They were
blessed with three children, all of whom are dead. At one time
Joseph Schmitt conducted a store at East Bristol. He died in 1882,
his wife having passed away almost forty years before. Their son,
father of the subject of this sketch, was a musician and played at
the first dance given in Madison. Rudolph Schmitt was educated
in the common schools and in the parochial schools. He also spent
a short time in Milwaukee, completing his education there. As a
farmer he has been very successful. He owns two hundred and
seventy acres, which he has cleared and greatly improved and on
which he raises his fancy stock, consisting mostly of short-horned
cattle and Poland-China hogs. As a loyal member of the Demo-
cratic party he has served as justice of the peace for several years
He and his famliy are members of the Catholic church at East
Bristol. He was married May 11, 1875, to Miss Madalena Schey,
who was born in Dane county, June 15, 1852. Her parents were
Jacob and Barbara (Weber) Schey, both being natives of Germany,
her father having been born in 1823 and her mother in 1832. Hei
father came to Summit, Waukesha county. Wis., in 1846, and
worked in that vicinity for seven years. He then married and came
to Dane county, settling at York in 1853. He spent his last days
at East Bristol where he died June 20, 1901. He had nine children,
two daughters and three sons of whom live with the widow in the
vicinity of East Bristol. Nine children have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Rudolph Schmitt. as follows: Eleanora, February 18, 1876;
Josephena, June is. 1878; Thekla, June 3, 1881 ; Annie, October 26,
L883; Frank (deceased). July 24. 1880; Hellena, March 17, 1888;
Henry, July G. L890; Oscar A.. March 31. 1893; Rinald, Novem-
ber 29. L895. Eleanora is a resident of Chicago and Josephena of
Milwaukee. The others reside at home. Mr.-. Schmitt died July
G. 1903.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 785

Ernest Carl Schneider was proprietor of a barber-shop in Madi-
son from 1865 to 1900, when he retired from active business and has
since enjoyed his well-earned vacation in his pleasant home in Elm-
side. He was born in Saxony, Germany, October 9, 1831, son of Gott-
lieb and Mary (Schmidt) Schneider, natives of Germany, where they
spent their entire lives. Mr. Schneider had one brother, Bruno, who
also came to Madison and was killed at Beaver Dam in a railroad
accident. Carl attended public school in Germany and learned the
tailor's trade, at which he worked in Hartford, Conn., for five years
after his arrival in the United States in 1853. He journeyed westward
as far as Milwaukee in 1858, and after a few months in that vicinity
came to Madison, where he was employed in a barber shop and learned
that business. Not contented to remain in one place until he had seen
more of the new country, he resided for short periods in Iowa, St.
Louis, New Orleans and Yicksburg, where he was engaged in busi-
ness at the outbreak of the Civil War. As his sympathies were with
the Union cause, his neighbors invited him to leave for the north and
he returned to Madison and opened a barber shop, which he man-
aged successfully for thirty-five years. June 5, 1861, Mr. Schneider
married Miss Mary Lies, born in Germany in 1839, daughter of Louis
Lies, and five children blessed the marriage; Richard, (deceased);
Ernest, who married Tillie Stang and resides in Madison; Amanda,
Mrs. Peter Hanson of Madison ; Antoinette, a teacher in Cross
Plains, and Frederick, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Schneider purchased
a home in the second ward during their early married life and some
years later bought their present home in Elmside. They are members
of the Lutheran church and Mr. Schneider belongs to the Turner
society with which he has been affiliated since 1858. He is a Republi-
can in political sympathy.

Justus Schneider, who is one of the substantial farmers of Spring-
field township, was born at Baden, Germany. March 19, 1831. His
parents were Jacob and Margaret (Hoeneig) Schneider, both natives
of Germany, the former being born in 1800 and the latter in 1805.
They came to America in the early fifties and on September 4. 1854,
settled on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Springfield town-
ship, Dane county, and there they lived the remainder of their lives,
the father dying in 1857 and the mother in 1898. Eleven children
born to these parents, of whom six are living. In politics Jacob Schnei-
der was a Democrat, and he and family were members of the Lutheran
church. Justus Schneider, who is the immediate subject of this sketch,
50 — iii

766 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

grew to manhood in his native land and was educated in the excellent
schools there afforded. Migrating to America in 1852, on August 28
of that year, he located at Milwaukee, and securing employment on
a railroad, worked at that occupation for about four months He then
came to Dane county and worked sixteen months for Colonel Bebee;
and then, in 1854, located on a farm in Springfield township with his
parents, where he has resided ever since. He owns a fine farm of
eighty-five acres, and has made a signal success as a general farmer
and stock-raiser. While he takes a keen interest in public affairs, he
does not profess allegiance to any political organization and he re-
serves the right at all times to cast his ballot for the man or measure
that meets his approbation. Notwithstanding his independent posi-
tion, or perhaps in a measure by reason of it, he has been called to
fill various local positions of trust, among which were supervisor for
seventeen years, chairman of the town board, and, for fourteen years
in succession, assessor of his township. In religious matters he and
his family are members of the Lutheran church, and Mr. Schneider
has been president of the committee on church affairs for twenty-
seven years. Justus Schneider was married April 4, 1858, to Miss
Catherine Elizabeth Kramibs, who was born in Germany, June 24,
1837. She is a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Albright) Krambs,
both of whom were born in Germany. They came to Milwaukee,
Wis., in 1850, and made that city their permanent place of abode,
the father still residing there, the mother having died there several
years ago. To Justus Schneider and wife there have been born
twelve children, whose names and other facts concerning them are as
follows: Philip, born February 1, 1859, is a farmer of Eau Claire
county. Wis.; John D., born August 21, i860, died August 4, 1864;
Elizabeth, born February 13, 1862, died in 1863; Margaret, born Feb-
rary 3, 1864, is the wife of Henry Hambrecht of Madison township;
Louis, born February 14, 1866, is at home; Elizabeth, born December
8, 1867, died in 1881; George was born October 30, 1869; Catherine,
born June 22. 1872, is the wife of John Tiedeman of Middleton; Jacob,
born February 26, 1874, is at home; Magdalene, born January 26,
1876. died in 1881 ; Amelia, born May 23, 1878, is the wife of August
Toepfer, a farmer of Madison township; and William, who was born
December 4, 1881, is at home.

William Schoenburg, deceased, was one of the early settlers of
Roxbury township, and during a residence there which extended .to
nearly the half century mark he steadily maintained the respect and
esteem of all those who knew him. He was born in Germany,.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 787

May 9, 1825, grew to manhood there and received his education in
the excellent schools of that country.- In the early days of what
became a long and agreeable partnership he and wife came to
America, in 1853, and selected a location in Roxbury township.
Dane county, the same being the farm which is now owned by the
Schoenburg brothers, sons of the subject of this review. Mr.
Schoenburg was a farmer 'by occupation, and upon his arrival in
Dane county purchased eighty acres of the farm to which reference
is made above, and industriously began the building of a home in
what was then a comparatively new country. By that tireless
industry and close application to business, combined with frugality,
all of which qualities are prominent characteristics of the race to
which he belonged, he prospered from the beginning and soon was
able to add an additional sixty acres to his possessions. To this
a subsequent addition was made, and at the time of his death Mr.
Schoenburg was the owner of a well-improved farm of two hun-
dred and twenty acres — the result of his own industry and the
assistance of a devoted wife. In politics he maintained an unswerv-
ing allegiance to the Democratic party, and his wife and he were
active members of the Evangelical Lutheran church. Mr. Schoen-
burg was married in May, 1851, the Lady of his choice being Miss
AYilhelmina Schiet, who was born in Germany. August 5, 1824, the
daughter of Frederick and Christina Schiet, who were both natives
of Germany, where they lived and died. Mr. and Mrs. Schoenburg
were the parents of seven children, whose names follow: Gustave,
Louisa, Lena, Edward, Bertha, Ida, and Fred. Ida, the youngest
daughter, died December 2, 1900, and the others are highly respected
citizens of the community in which the}' live. The mother died
January 22, 1892, and the father passed away on June 1 of the same
year. Schoenburg Brothers — Gustave, Edward, and Fred — are the
owners of the old homestead, and have added to the domain one
hundred acres more, so that it now aggregates three hundred and
twenty acres of well-improved land, where they carry on the busi-
ness of general farming, and in addition are largely interested in
the breeding of live stock. They make a specialty of short-horned
cattle and Poland-China hogs, and fine specimens of each can
always be seen on their farm. Edward Schoenburg, one of the firm
of Schoenburg Brothers, was married April 9. 1901, to Miss Lena
Zimmerman, a native of Dane county and the daughter ot Nicholas
and Mollie (Schumann) Zimmerman, early settlers of Dane town-
ship, where thev still reside.

7SS HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Joseph C. Schubert, mayor of the city of Madison, was born in
the city of which he is the official head, January y, 1871. His par-
ents are Joseph and Johanna ( Marquart ) Schubert, natives of Ger-
many, who now make their home at 403 Xorth Brearly street. Joseph
Schubert was originally a cabinet maker, but for thirty years was a
prominent photographer. The son, Joseph C, is one of three children,
and the only survivor. He received his education in the city schools
of Madison and upon the completion of his school work entered his
father's photograph gallery and learned the business. In September,
1892, he purchased the father's interest and has since been successfully
conducting the business. The demand for his work has been such as
to necessitate the opening of galleries in two of the villages of the
county — Mazomanie and Cambridge — and the call is still increasing.
In the spring of 1906 Mr. Schubert was elected mayor of Madison
by a majority of 1.048, after a bitter campaign. For seven years
previous he had served as alderman from the seventh ward of the city.
He is a stanch Democrat. On January 9, 1896, he married Frances E.,
daughter of John A. and Octavia ( McGinnis) Doyle. Mrs. Doyle
died in the fall of 1894; her husband is now a resident of Madison.
To Mr. and Mrs. Schubert has been born cue child, a son, Harold
John.

E. J. B. Schubring, junior member of the firm of Jones & Schu-
bring, attornneys, was born in Sauk county. Wis., November 17, 1878.
His parents are Herman and Maria ( Krueger) Schubring, natives of
Germany. The father is a retired farmer and merchant who now
makes Madison his home. He came to this country in i860. Of the
thirteen children in the family ten are still living. They are Louisa ;
Herman, a foreman of the Milwaukee Bridge & Iron Company;
Mary, Mrs. J. N. Chase, Rice Lake, Wis.; Christian P., a grocer of
Madison; Matilda, Mrs. J. P. Brcitenbach of Madison; Josephine M.,
Mrs. Franklin Dengel, of Madison; Edward J. B., the subject of this
sketch ; August O., a clerk ; Rosetta, at home ; and Arthur O. em-
ployed by the Northern Electrical Company. Two children, twins,
died in infancy. Charles G. entered the regular army m the spring
of 1898 for service in the Spanish- American War. His regiment was
detailed to duty in the Philippines. After the expiration of his term
of enlistment he traveled extensively throughout the East, for three
years. On his return to Manilla the outbreaks of the Moros again
called him into the service of his country; he remained in the army
until his death on May 20, 1905. E. J. B. Schubring received his ed-
ucation in the Sauk- city high school. In the spring of [895 he rep-
resented his school in an oratorical contest for the Sauk county high

BIOGRAPHICAL. 789

schools, at Baraboo, and captured first place and incidentally a gold
medal. In tbe fall of 1897 he entered the University of Wisconsin,
and in 1901 received the degree of B. L. from that institution. Two
years later he was graduated from the college of law of the same in-
stitution. Mr. Schubr'ng received numerous honors in an oratorical
way while in the university, He was closer for his side in the "Fresh-
man Blowout" debate of his literary society, was closer on the "Semi-
public" debate in the spring of 1899 and was the "Junior Ex" orator
in the spring of 1900. He was one of the speakers at the commence-
ment in 1901, and while in the law school was chosen a member of
Wisconsin's team in the Wisconsin-Georgetown law schools debate.
Wisconsin won by the unanimous decision of the judges, of whom
Senator Daniels was one. and the Washington Post and Milwaukee
Sentinel gave a large share of the credit for the victory to Mr. Schu-
bring". Immediately after graduating he entered the law offices of
Hon. Burr W. Jones of Madison, and on July 1, 1904, was made a
partner in the firm. On June 16, 1904. he married Sclma, daughter of
August and Ida (Schkgelmilch) Langenhan. of Ableman, Wis. Mrs.
Schubring is a member of the class of 1907 in the University of Wis-
consin and in her junior year was elected a member of the honorary
fraternity of the Phi Beta Kappa. Both Mjr. Schubring and his wife
are members of the First Congregational church of Madison. Mr.
Schubring is president of the Christian Endeavor union of Madison,
and was general chairman of the committee on arrangements for the
state Christian Endeavor convention held in Madison; June 30 to
July 5, 1906.

Herman C. Schulenburg, one of the leading young business men
of Middleton, is a dealer in agricultural implements and also- has a
large general store. He was born at Middleton, in March, 1872, of
German parents. William Schulenburg, his father, was a sheepherder
in Germany, but becoming convinced that opportunities were more
numerous in America, emigrated in 1865. Upon his arrival at Middle-
ton soon after, he went to work on a farm, afterward rented one for
two years, and by industry and frugality was able to save up $500
with which he began to farm for himself. At this time he married
Sophia Prehn, also a native of Germany, and they lived for two years
in Middleton. Their next home was the old Lampman farm at Cross
Plains, which they purchased, cleared and improved in every way,
adding fine new buildings. Mr. Schulenberg had his share of viscis-
situdes that belong to pioneer life, including bad luck in stock raising
and much sickness in the family, but he overcame all difficulties and
is now the prosperous owner of a fine farm of three hundred and forty

790 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

acres. Eigiit children were born to Air. and Airs. Schulenburg, of
whom Herman C. is the oldest. He is engaged in the mercantile busi-
ness; the second son, Louis, of Middleton, is a contracting mason;
John, the third son, is married and also lives in Middleton, and is a
farmer by vocation; Lena, the second daughter, is married to Fred
Tacham, a farmer, and representative of one of the pioneer families
of Middleton; the rest of the children, Minnie, the oldest daughter, and
the three youngest children, Henry, Rudolph and Annie, remain at
home. They were educated in the Dane county schools. Herman C,
left home at the age of twenty-one, and, like his father, sought his
fortune farther west. In Day county, S. D., he worked out for a time,
farming and in a store, but concluded to> open a store in his native
town, which he and his wife, nee Anna Schultz, have since made their
home. Mrs. Schulenburg, who is the daughter of John and Eliza
Schulz of Hanover, Germany, is, like her husband, a member of the
German Lutheran church. They have one son, Harold, born April 12,
1903. Mr. Schulenburg is also a member of the Modern Woodmen
of America. He is a Democrat in politics and interested in all which
concerns his native village, although he has never endeavored to ob-
tain political preferment.

Bernard A. Schultz is the owner of a farm in the town of Wind-
sor, which is his present home. His parents, Lewis William and
Caroline (Schower) Schultz, were born, educated, and married in
Stettin, Germany, and came to Wisconsin when their son Bernard
was a baby. From 1863 to 1879 they lived in Columbus, Wis., after
which they purchased a farm in Windsor where they lived ten
years. In 1887 their present farm of two hundred and sixty acres
in the township of Leeds, Columbia county, was purchased and has
since been their home. Their son, Bernard A., was born October
21. 1861, was educated in Columbus. Wis., and was employed for
a short time in a bakery. He learned the carpenter's trade and
worked out upon farms in the neighborhood until 1887, when he
went to Minnesota and worked on a wheat ranch for several
months. In Lac-qui-parle county, Minn., he obtained a claim of
one hundred and sixty acres but returned to Dane county in the
autumn of 1882 and worked at his trade. In 1885 he purchased the
farm which is his present residence and upon which he has made
many improvements and built new and modern buildings. Mr.
Schultz also owns a property of one hundred and sixty acres in
extent in Mower county. Minn. He is a Republican and has held
the office of constable. For seven vears he has been a director in

BIOGRAPHICAL. 791

the Bristol Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company. October 30,
1884, he married Miss Augusta Paulman, who was born in Germany
in October. 1862, daughter of William and Henrietta (Hage) Paul-
man, who came from Germany in 1867 and lived In the town of
Windsor. Mrs. Schultz's grandfather was a soldier in the army
under Xapoleon the First in the war with Russia. Of six brothers
who went to Russia with the Emperor he was the only one to
return. Mr. and Mrs. Schultz have been blessed with four chil-
dren: Albert B., Alvina A., Edwin G.. and Louisa L.

Henry Schuster, deceased, of Middleton, was a retired farmer,
of German stock. In 1848 he came to America with his parents,
John and Maria (Hertwig) Schuster, from Bavaria, Palatine. Germany.
John Schuster was a shoe-maker and worked at his trade in Roches-
ter, X. Y.. before he came to Middleton.. At Middleton he purchased
a farm which he worked as well as continuing to ply his trade.
Mr. and Mrs. Schuster were affiliated with the German Lutheran
church. Their family comprised three children, of whom one, Peter,
is living, at Middleton. Henry Schuster was born in Bavaria, De-
cember 1, 1 83 1. His educational opportunities were few and he has
made up for that lack by home study as far as possible. At the age
of seventeen he left home and, having learned the shos-maker's trade,
worked at it in Milwaukee for seven years. Returning to Middleton
he again became a farmer, which was his occupation for twenty-five
vears. In politics he was an Independent. He was town treasurer for
two years and clerk of the high school board for twelve years, also
secretary of the Middleton Fire and Lightning Insurance Company.
July 4, 1864, he married Miss Ida Roehl, daughter of John and Mary
Roehl of Pudlitz, Prussia, early settlers of Milwaukee. Mr. and Mrs.
Schuster have six children : Augusta, the oldest, is the wife of
Charles Xiebuhr of Madison; Arthur lives at Grand Island, Xeb.,
where he carries on a general merchandise business; Laura married
Charles Millbrook of Madison, who is employed by the C, M. & St. P.
R. R.; Walter was a shoe-maker and died in 1896. E. E. Schuster
is a dentist, practicing his profession in Milwaukee. His wife was.
before her marriage. Miss Emma Schneider. Dr. Schuster is a mem-
ber of the I. O. O. F. Henry Schuster, Jr., has been in the U. S.
postal service since December, 1904. and was previously engaged in
the dairy business at Middleton.

Peter Schuster, a well-known farmer of Middleton. came to Dane
county with his parents in 1855. John B. Schuster, his father, was
born in Morbach. Germanv, and was a shoemaker by trade. He

792 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

served six years in the German army as private in an infantry regi-
ment. In June, 1826, he married Alary Ann Hertwig, who was
born in Prussia in 1799. They brought their family to America in
1848, taking passage in a sailing vessel, the American Eagle. The
voyage was very rough and the boat was forty-two days en route,
landing at Xew York July 9. The family comprised four children,
all of whom came west with their parents after seven years spent
in Xew York state, where the older ones helped the father with his
trade. John was the oldest, Peter, the second, then Henry and
Karoline. May 19, 1855, was the date of their arrival in Middleton
and at that time Peter was obliged to give up shoemaking on
account of his health. Therefore a farm of eighty acres was pur-
chased upon which Peter Schuster went to work and his parents
lived with him during the remaining years of their lives. Peter
Schuster was born at Morbach, Kaiserslautern. Germany, March 11,
1829. In July, 1851. he married Miss Barbara Hallauer. daughter
of Nicholas Hallauer, a native of Switzerland. They have had
eleven children. The eldest. Herman H., is a farmer of Dane
county. Caroline is the wife of Henry Garth and resides in Madi-
son. AYis. Mary M. remains at home and keeps house for her
father. Amelia marired Thomas McConnell and has lived in Phoe-
nix. Ariz., and Madison, AYis. Bertha is the wife of Senator Beach
of Whitewater. Otto J. is a teacher, now located at Platteville.
He holds a position in the normal school at Platteville and is a
popular lecturer. R. Eugenia is the widow of H. J. Taylor, who
died in New Zealand in 1902. Mrs. Taylor resides in Sioux City,
Iowa. Louis J. is a merchant of Fort Worth, Tex. Ida E. mar-
ried Dr. Ed. Austin and lives at Elkhorn, Wis. Elvin E. died in
infancy. Clara was graduated from the University of Wisconsin
with the class of 1889 and teaches in the German department of the
Platteville normal school. Flora A., born in 1871, lived but one
year. Mr. Schuster is a firm believer in higher education and has
always endeavored to inculcate in his family a desire for college or
university training and to gratify that desire so far as possible.
He is a member of the Presbyterian church. Always interested in
public affairs and a supporter of the Republican party, he has
never been an office-seeker,- though made a member of the board
of supervisors for three vears.

Robert C. Schwaner, a general farmer and dairyman of Roxbury
township, is one of the native sons of Dane county who reflects credit
upon It's birthplace and is highly esteemed by a large circle of ac-
quaintances. He was born in Roxbury township, upon the farm

BIOGRAPHICAL. 793

where he now resides, April 30, 1856, and the blood of a purely Ger-
man ancestry courses through his veins. He is the son of Carl and
Armena (Earka) Schwaner, both natives of Germany, where the for-
mer was born, November 12, 1825, and the latter on February 21,
1826. They were married in the Fatherland and migrated to America
in 1852, locating during the same year at Watertown, in Jefferson
county, Wisconsin. They remained at that place but one year, how-
ever, and then, in 1853, came to Dane county and settled on the farm
of one hundred and sixty acres in Roxbury township, which has been
their home during all the intervening years, and where the aged
father still resides with his son, the mother having passed away Feb-
ruary 2T,, 1896. Carl Schwaner and wife were the parents of six chil-
dren, four of whom are still living. Air. Schwaner is a Republican in
politics, and together with his wife a member of the Lutheran church,
showing his interest in religious affairs by giving the ground on
which stands the Lutheran church building, about one mile from his
farm. During his active life, in addition to' general farming, he made
a specialty of raising horses, but that he did not neglect the ordinary
duties of the agriculturist is evidenced by the many fine improvements
upon his farm, all the product of his own toil and good management.
Robert C. Schwaner was educated in the comimon schools of Roxbury
township, and remained upon the old homestead as the assistant of
his father until he reached the age of twenty-three years. Then he
spent one year in the state of Illinois, after which he followed the ad-
vice of Horace Greeley and went to Dakota. One year was spent by
him in that territory, and he then went to Nebraska, where he re-
mained five years and then tried ;his fortune in California for one year.
Not finding things exactly to his liking in the Golden state he re-
turned to Nebraska and claimed that state as his plg.ce of residence
for nine years more. Farming had "been his general occupation, es-
pecially during the five years of his first sojourn in Nebraska, but
after his return from California he became a salesman of windmills.
In October, 1900, he returned to Dane county, where he purchased
the old homestead of one hundred and sixty acres and conducts an
up-to-date dairy, besides general farming. In politics he is a Re-
publican, and with his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church, their membership being in Nebraska. Mr. Schwaner
was married on March 30, 1882. to Miss Henrietta Hannsa. a na-
tive of Germany and daughter of Carl Hannsa, who immigrated to
America with his family, about 1870, and located in Sauk county.
Wis., where he died. Robert C. Schwaner and wife are the parents

794 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

of two children. George and Francis, the latter of whom is de-
ceased. George, the surviving son, was born in Sauk county. Wis.,
and now lives in Nebraska, where he fills the responsible position
of book-keeper for a large lumber firm. He was educated in the
high school at Ord; Neb., and at the Grand Island Business College
in the same state. Francis, the other son. was born in 1894, and
died in 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Schwancr also have an adopted daugh-
ter, Ruth Hardesty Schwaner.

John Schwenkert, a thrifty German farmer of the town of Madi-
son, was born at Bavaria. Germany, May 7, 1827. His father was
Joseph Schwenkert. a native of Bavaria. Both of John's parents
died when he was three years old, and until he was sixteen he lived
with an uncle, a brother of his mother. Then for seven years he
"worked out" and in 1850 came to the United States. The passage
over took fifty-eight days. For two months after his arrival he
worked in Hudson, on the river of that name, and then drifted to
Columbia county. X. Y. John's residence there continued for six
years, and then with his wife he came to Madison. After a year's
hard labor he purchased forty acres of wild land, and started in to
make a home for himself. Later he purchased forty acres more in
the town of Madison. Mr. Schwenkert's education was very
meagre because of his hard struggle for bread. Politically he is a
Republican, but has never aspired to office. He is a member of
the German Methodist Episcopal church of Madison. On August
28, 1856, he married Hannah, daughter of James and Catherine
(Miller) Allen, of Columbia county, X. Y. Mr. Allen died in 1838.
Mrs. Allen was twice married, her second husband being Philip
Fritz. By her first husband she had two children and seven by her
second. Mrs. Fritz died in 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Schwenkert have
two children, Ida, the wife of Forrest Hunt, a farmer near Canton,
S. D.. and George, now working his father's farm. Mr. Schwenk-
ert is one of the type of citizens who by their thrift and earnest-
ness contribute so much to the prosperity of a community. For
several years the subject has been president of the board of trus-
tees of the East Middleton cemetery.

James Harvey Scott, who is now living retired, in the village of
Mount Horeb, comes of English stock and his ancestors were num-
bered among the early Massachusetts colonists. He is the great-
grandson of Lemuel Scott who was born on May 13, 1762, in Mas-
sachusetts, but who was compelled to leave that state in 1783 on
account of his loyalty to England during the War of the Revolu-
tion. He was but twenty-one years old at the time of leaving his

BIOGRAPHICAL. 795

native state, and he went direct to Guysboro, in the eastern part
of the province of Nova Scotia, and settled at the head of Cheda-
bucto bay,, being- a resident of that province until his death in 1850.
He was married on April 10, 1787, to Miss Ruth Godfrey, who was
born March 19, 1770, and died in 1851. These parent's reared twelve
children, the eldest of whom. Abijah Scott, was born on February 4,
1788, and died in December 1823, in Nova Scotia. A son of Abijah
Scott Avas Lemuel Scott, born April 6, 181-4, the father of the sub-
ject of this review, and who was also a native of Xova Scotia.
There he learned the trade of a shoemaker and followed that occu-
pation during the early years of his life, but after his migration to
the United States he followed farming. He came to Wisconsin
with his family in the autumn of 1857 and settled in the town of
Vermont, in Dane county, where he purchased a farm and lived
thereon for nine years. In 1866 he removed to Mazomanie and
lived in that village until his death, which occurred on April 22.
1893, at the age of seventy-nine years, his good wife having passed
away on April 22, 1877. He was married to Isabella Morrison and
they became the parents of four children : Charlotte resides at the
old homestead in Mazomanie; James H.. is the subject of this re-
view ; Isabella married George Theobald and died at Zion City ;
and Harriet married William Reeves and resides in Mazomanie.
James Harvey Scott was born in Guysboro, Nova Scotia, on Janu-
ary 1, 1844, and was not quite fourteen years old when the family
removed to Dane county. He remained at home assisting his
father on the farm, until December 15, 1861, when he enlisted in
Company M, Third Regiment of Wisconsin volunteer cavalry, and
he served with that command until February 17, 1865, being mus-
tered out as corporal upon that date, his term of service having
expired. He served with his regiment in the Trans-Mississippi de-
partment and participated in the engagement at Cabin Creek in the
Indian Territory, also in the battle of Honey Springs, and was in
almost constant skirmishing. The regiment came frequently in
contact with Ouanrell's guerrillas. After being mustered out and
later discharged, the latter occurence being on March 9, 1865, Mr.
Scott returned to the town of Vermont, engaged in farming with
his father and remained there until 1870. He then removed to
northwestern Missouri and remained four years in Gentry county,
that state, after which he returned to Wisconsin and located at
Edgerton in Rock, county, where he remained four years. He then
removed to Mazomanie, and after one year in that place returned
to the old family homestead in the town of Vermont, and remained

796 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

thereon until IS!)*), when he took up his residence in Alt. Horeb
and erected a commodious house in which he now resides. He
was married on December 10, 1865, to Miss Mary McKinney, a na-
tive of Philadelphia and daughter of John and Sarah Ann ( Arnold)
McKinney. Both of these parents were natives of Ireland, the fa-
ther being of Scotch descent, and they settled in Milton Junction,
Wis., in 1850. The father died in 1895, aged seventy-five years,
on a farm in the town of Springdale where he had resided since
1852. He and wife were among the earliest settlers of Springdale,
and for a long time after locating in that town their nearest neigh-
bor was two miles away. To Mr. and Mrs. Scott there have been
born five children : Sarah Belle married Ira Smith and resides in
Duluth. Minn.; John Lemuel resides on the old homestead; Char-
lotte Annie married Robert Scott and resides in Klevenville. Dane
county ; Mary Elizabeth married George Martinson and resides at
Black Earth; and James Franklin resides in the city of Madison.
The subject of this review is a member of Gen. Dickinson post,
G. A. R. and Mrs. Scott is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church.

John W. Scott, a farmer of Fitchburg, was born in the city of
Madison, Wis., November i, 1861. His father, Archibald Scott, was
born near Belfast, Ireland, on July 26, 1828. At the age of twenty
years he came to America and for some time followed the occupation
of gardener in the vicinity of Boston, Mass.. and came to Madison,
where he was for some time engaged in business of drayman. He
married Esther Welsh, a native of England. He is a member of the
Episcopal church and now lives retired in Ireland. He and his
wife had seven children. Those now living are John W., the subject
of this sketch; William F., a painter at Mount Horeb; and Walter,
who lives in Chicago. At the age of eighteen years John W. Scott
began learning the trade of shoemaker, but later learned the trade of
iron molder and worked at that occupation for five years. On
September II, 1888. he married Miss Anna, daughter of Andrew L.
and Isabella (Knapp) Mann, the former of whom was a nat've of
Xew York. In 1848, Mr. Mann, who was at diat time living in
Athens, Mich., came to Madison; he returned to Michigan, but came
again to Madison in 1849. and purchased a one-half interest in a
livery business. After another brief sojourn in Athens, he, in 1852,
located permanently in the capital city and bought out h's brother's
interest in the livery business and also bought a home in the city.
For a time he was in partnership with Charles Stafford, but in the
spring of 1857 he rented his livery stable to Andrew Kentzler and lo-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 797

cated on a farm at Fitchburg. He sold the livery business in 1863
and remained on the farm until 1882, when he removed to Madison
for the purpose of educating his children. In 1888 he returned to the
farm. He died in Madison in July, 1893, aged seventy- four years.
His wife died in 1880 at the age of forty-nine. During his life he
was an ardent Democrat and held successively the offices of justice of
the peace, town treasurer and town clerk. He was a member of the
Episcopal church, was for some time the postmaster at Rock Side, and
was universally respected. He and his wife had two children.
Julius K., who died in 1895, and Anna, now Mrs. Scott. After the
death of Mrs. Scott's brother, John W. Scott removed to the old
Andrew L. Mann homestead, known as the "Rock Side Farm," near
Fitchburg. This farm, which contains two hundred an J thirteen
acres, was entered by Mr. Mann, who improved it. and it has always
been in the possession of the family. Politicallv Mr. Scott is a firm
believer in the principles of the Republican party, and in church mat-
ters affiliates with the Episcopal church of Madison. Mr. and Mrs.
Scott have the following children; Andrew A., Francis M., Isabella E.,
Ethel L., Erma J., and Edwin J.

Ole Semonson, one of the leading farmers of the town of Pleasant
Springs, was born on June 1, 1838, in the Bergen stift, Norway, both
h's parents, Simon and Christina (Anderson) Oleson, being natives
of that district. The mother died in 1845 and the father married
Betsy Erickson, of Norway, but no children were born to this second
marriage. The children of the first wife were: Andrew, who died in
Norway ; Mary, wife of Ole Swenson, now living in Polk county,
Minn.; Isabelle, who married Ole Barsness and is now deceased; and
Ole, the subject of this sketch. In 1867 the family came to America
and upon arriving in this country came directly to Stoughton, where
the father had friends. He died in 1895. Ole Semonson attended school
in Norway, and was confirmed in the Lutheran church, to wh'.ch his
parents belonged. When he was old enough to earn money he went
to work on a farm in his native land and came to America with his
father. After reaching this country he worked on farms, in a pinery,
frequently going as far as St. Louis with rafts of logs. He finally got
a team and rented some land upon which he began the life of a farmer.
Later he bought a farm in the town of Dunn and lived there for four-
teen years, when he traded for one hundred acres in Pleasant Springs.
He now owns three hundred and eighty acres of fine land, well im-
proved, upon which he carries on a general farming business. He is
one of the largest growers of tobacco in his part of the county, and de-
votes considerable attention to stock raising. In polities Mr. Semen-

798 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

son is a Republican, but has never been, a candidate for any office.
He is a member of the Lutheran church at Stoughton and is active in
church work. ( >n January 14, 1872, he was united in marriage to
Miss Jsabelle Johnson, daughter of John Quam, a native of Norway,
and to this union have been born the following children: Carl, Simon,
John, ( )scar, Andrew, David, Joseph, Martin, ( )le, Edward, Dena,
Ada. Annie. Christina, and Mary. All are living except Dena.

Dan. A. Sessing is an experienced and successful farmer of the
town of York, where he was born April 5, 1851. His parents, Lud-
wick and Eva ( Miller) Sessing, came from Germany to the United
States in 1842 and located in Dane county. Mr. Sessing was born in
Germany in December, 1805, and his wife in May, 1809. They were
both educated in Germany and in their early married life determined
to try their fortune in the west. They obtained one hundred and
thirty-two acres of wild land in the town of York, cleared and improved
it and made it a substantial and comfortable home. The remainder of
their lives was spent 011 this farm and there Mr. Sessing died in 1873
and his- wife in 1894. Their family consisted of four children, of
whom all are living. The family belongs to St. Joseph's Catholic
church. Dan. A. Sessing, the subject of this sketch, attended school
in the town of York and has always resided in the township. He has
a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres with man}- modern im-
provements, which he has owned since 1872. He carries on a general
farming business and is also a breeder of Shropshire sheep. He is a
member of tthe Democratic party and has served the town as super-
visor for five years in succession. February 2^, 1872. he married
Miss Margaret Fox of Columbus and ten children blessed their union;
Annie. Jacob, Addie, Gertrude, Frank, Menia, William, Henry (de-
ceased), Laura and Lewis. They are members of St. Joseph Catho-
lic church. Mrs. Sessing was bom in Columbus, daughter of Jacob
and Magdalina ( Xaiser) Fox, who were born and married in Ger-
many and came to Columbia county in 1842, where they spent the
residue of their lives. Mrs. Sessing died September 17, 1905.

Abraham Lincoln Severson of the firm of Oftelie and Severson,
prominent real estate dealers of Stoughton, is a native, of the town of
I )unkirk, Dane county, son of Sever H. and Gurina (Peterson) Sever-
son. The pioneers of the family in Wisconsin were Helga Sigurdson
Severson and Birgih (Oldsdotter) Severson, who came to the United
States from Telemarken, Norway, in 1842, and located in Racine county,
Wis., where they resided two years. In 1844 they moved to Pleasant
Springs and obtained a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of gov-
ernment land, the first land purchased from the government in that

BIOGRAPHICAL. 799

township. Sever H. Severson, son of Helga, was born in Telemarken,
Norway, November 2, 1840, and came to America with his parents
when he was but two years old. He attended the district schools of
Pleasant Springs and worked on the farm with his father until he was
seventeen years old. when he went to Stoughton and was employed as
clerk in a general store. In 1860 he went to Colorado and was en-
gaged in mining in the vicinity of Pike's Peak for six years. Return-
ing to Stoughton in 1866. he engaged in the lumber business in which
he remained until 1886. From 1886 to 1890 he was occupied in deal-
ing in leaf tobacco and was then for two years a grocer. From 1892 un-
til his death in August, 1897, he was engaged in the marble business for
one vear and the rest of the time in the coal business. To Sever and
Gurina Severson were born four children; Hattie B., the wife of
John H. Holtan, Henry C, Abraham L. and Theodore B. (deceased).
Abraham L. was born July 25, 1874, attended the public schools and
the Stoughton Academy and in 1897 entered the coal and wood busi-
ness, which occupied him until 1901, when he engaged in farming.
After two years he became associated with his present partner in the
real estate business. August 22, 1900, he was married U> Miss Emma
Asbjornson, daughter of Christ and Hilabor (Kahlanid) Asbjornson,
pioneers of Dunkirk. Two children have blessed the marriage;
Gladys H. and Ingebor. Mr. Severson is associated with the Repub-
lican party, served two terms as city clerk of Stoughton and was elected
city treasurer in 1906. He is a member of the K. of P. The family
are members of the Norwegian Christ Lutheran church.

Henry Severson is one of the representative citizens of the city
of Stoughton and is the owner of a fine landed estate in Dunkirk
township, being largely interested in the cultivation of tobacco.
Mr. Severson has passed his entire life in Dane county and is a
representative of one of its worthy pioneer families. He was born
in Pleasant Springs township, this county, January 21. 18.">7\ being
a son of.Helge and Berget (Olson) Severson Gremrsud who came
to America from Tellemarken. Norway, in 1842. They located in
Muskego, 'Waukesha county. Wisconsin, where they remained until
1844, when they came to Dane county and located in Pleasant
Springs township, where the father secured one hundred and sixty
acres of prairie and timbered land. He had the distinction of be-
ing the first man to receive from the government a deed to land in
that township, where he was one of the earliest settlers. He re-
claimed his land from the wilds and developed the same into a
valuable and productive farm adding to his possessions until he

800 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

was the owner of two hundred and eighty-seven acres, at the time
of his death. He was born April 10, K0(i, and died in 1S56, at the
age of sixty years. Of his seven children four attained to maturity,
namely: Sever IT, who is now deceased; Adeline, who is the wife
of ( ). EC. Lunde ; Ole. who was a member of the Eighth 'Wisconsin
Infantry in the Civil War. being killed in an engagement near
Memphis, Tenn. ; and Henry, who is the immediate subject of this
review. Mrs. Severson later married Ole Anderson and by him
became the mother of a son, Andrew, who died at the age of seven.
Mrs. Anderson died on November 25. 1887, and Mr. Anderson in
June, 1900. When Henry Severson was a child of four years his
parents removed to their farm in Dunkirk township, where he was
reared under the sturdy discipline of the farm and was afforded the
advantages of the common schools of the locality and period. He
continued to be actively identified with agricultural pursuits until
1904 and he still owns two fine farms, one comprising two hundred
and forty acres and the other one hundred and fifteen acres, in Dun-
kirk township. In 1903 he erected his present fine modern resi-
dence in Stoughton, the same being attractively located on East
Main street. He still continues to be largely interested in tobacco
culture, utilizing a considerable portion of both of his farms for
this purpose. He is a loyal and progressive citizen of his native
county, is a stanch adherent of the Republican party and both he
and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. In 1882 Mr.
Severson was united in marriage to- Miss Mary Halverson, daugh-
ter of Stener and Dorcas (Evans) Halverson. and they have had
eight children, five of whom are living namely: Stephen B.,
Burns O., Delia M., H. Marcus and Segur H. Those deceased are
Henry, Dagne Matilda and Reuben. Mrs. Severson's father was
born in Norway. March 22, 1822, being a son of Halvor and Marie
(Quale) Jonsaas, the latter being the family name, and the son
being given a surname according to the custom of the country,
adopting the Christian name of his father. Mr. Halverson came
to the United States in 1845, his wife having come the preceding-
year and their marriage was solemnized in Dane county.
Mr. Halverson purchased forty acres of land in Dunkirk township,
two years later removing to a farm of four hundred acres, in Dunn
township, where he continued to reside until 1879, when he re-
turned to Dunkirk township, locating on a farm of two hundred
acres which he had purchased in 1868. In 1848 he was united in
marriage to Miss Dorcas Evans, daughter of Evan and Aslaug
(Quale) Evans, who came to Wisconsin in 1844. Mr and Mrs.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 801

Halverson became the parents of eight children namely : Hyatt
and Morris, both now deceased; Martin, a farmer of this county;
Mary, wife of the subject of this sketch ; Abner. a resident of Dane
county; Matilda, now deceased; Enoch, likewise a resident of Dane
county ; and Alfred, deceased. Mrs. Severson's father died in 1906.
aged seventy- four and her mother in 1874 at the age of fifty-one.

Sever M. Severson was born in the town of Christiania not far
from his present residence, and has always been a farmer of that lo-
cality. His father, Mons Severson, was bom in Sogen. Norway, and
took passage for the United States in 1855. For the first few years
he worked out. but when he was able to save enough money he pur-
chased a tract of wild land containing one hundred and sixty acres to
which he added from time to time until he owned in all two hundred
and sixty acres in section 13, Christiania. Mons Severson married
Miss Lukris Vuefn, who was also a native of Sogen, Norway, and
seven children were born to them, of whom Sever is the only sur-
vivor. Mr. and Mrs. Severson worked hard to make a home in the
new country and were successful in their labors. They attended the
Norwegian Lutheran church of Cambridge, of which their son is also
a member. Mrs. Severson died in 1895 and her husband in 1897.
Their son Sever lived with them at the old home and cared for them
during their lives and only recently has leased the old homestead
which he still owns and has purchased a farm in section 14, Christ-
iania. Here in 1899 he built a pleasant home and has made many im-
provements. Sever was born March 30, 1872, received his early edu-
cation in the home schools and also attended the Red Wing seminary
of Red Wing, Minn., for two years. June 7, 1899, Miss Matilda
Nordle. the daughter of Christian Xordle, of Christiania, became the
wife of Mr. Severson. Both Mr. and Mrs. Severson are members of
the Norwegian Lutheran church of Cambridge. For a few years Mr.
Severson engaged in threshing but has almost always been occupied
with the duties of the home farm. In 1900, he was so unfortunate
as to lose one hand, which was badly mangled by being caught in a
corn shredder. Mr. Severson is a member of the Republican party
but is not active in politics and has never desired office.

Patrick Sheil is numbered among the progressive farmers and
extensive stock raisers of the town of Oregon, and his success has been
due entirely to his tireless industry and natural ability, assisted in no
small way by the wise counsels of a faithful wife. He- was born in
the county of Wicklow, Ireland. March 16, 1857. and is the youngest
of four children bom to James and Anna (Higgins) Sheil. both of
51 — iii

802 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

whom were natives of the Emerald Isle. The children are all living,
but the subject of this review is the only one of the family to seek a
home in America, the others still residing in their native land. Pat-
rick Sheil received his education in the county of his birth and fol-
lowed the occupation of a farmer until his migration to America. He
sailed from the shores of his native land in 1881 and landed in Amer-
ica on June 25, of that year, the date being just one week in ad-
vance of the assassination of President Garfield. He came directly to
Chicago and worked in the Union stock yards in that city during the
first year, and then came to Wisconsin and worked as a farm hand in
Dane county for two years. He then purchased eighty acres of land,
the same on which he now resides, and has since been successfully en-
gaged in the business of general farming. Later he added eighty acres
more to this farm, then twenty, followed by the purchase of a forty-
acre tract, and still later he purchased eighty acres adjoining, so that
his total landed possessions amount to three hundred acres of well
improved land. He possesses exceptionally shrewd business abilities,
and in addition to the routine of general farm work he deals very ex-
tensively in stock. His political principles are represented by an un-
swerving allegiance which he gives to the tenets of the Democrat
party, and he and his wife are consistent members of the Catholic
church. Mr. Sheil was married, January 27, 1883. the lady of h;s
choice being Miss Rosanna Cullen, who was born in the town of Fitch-
burg on July 1, 1852. Her parents are Daniel and Anna (Carwin)
Cullen, and of the five children of these parents all are residents of
Dane county. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sheil —
James Robert, Anna Theresa, Daniel Ambrose, and John Patrick.
The daughter married Bernard Fisher and resides in the town of Fitch-
burg, and the sons as yet remain at the old homestead.

Charles Stuart Sheldon, A. M., M. D., one of the leading physi-
cians of Madison, is a native of the manufacturing town of New York
Mills, in Oneida county, N. Y., where his father was for a number of
years the secretary of the New York Mills Manufacturing Company.
His parents, Stephen Smith and Lemira (Harris) Sheldon, were mar-
ried in Rupert, Bennington county, Vermont, and made their first
home in Massachusetts, but afterward moved to New York Mills
where Charles S. was born January 14, 1842. When his little son was
about three years old, failing health compelled a change of occupation
and Mr. Sheldon with his family moved to a farm in the vicinity of
Brockport, N. Y. Charles received his early education in the schools
of Brockport, and followed the usual custom of the farmer lads of
that time, when they became old enough to be of service in the work

BIOGRAPHICAL. 803

of the farm, and gave only his winters to study, spending the summer
months in the vigorous employ of his physical powers. This custom
was, perhaps, the reason why the men of that generation have been
able to defy the approaches of age so much more successfully than
their sons, less inured to hardship, are able to do. The young man's
mental training was not neglected, however, as is shown from the fact
that he was graduated from Brockport Collegiate Institute in 1858,
when he was sixteen years of age. Following this he was graduated
from Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts, of which Dr.
Samuel H. Taylor was the head, and then, in the autumn of 1859
entered, as a classical student, Yale College, from which he was grad-
uated in 1863 with the degree of A. B. Among his classmates were a
number who attained distinction in their several professions, of whom
Hon. William C. Whitney, ex-Secretary of the Navy, and Professor
William G. Sumner, of Yale, may be mentioned. Three years later
Mr. Sheldon received his degree of A. M. During his university
course, his parents had moved to Madison, Wisconsin, and the young
student followed them at the conclusion of his studies at Yale, and,
wrhile he was finding himself, turned to the usual refuge of the young
man during that critical period when the choice of a profession must
be determined, and entered the ranks of the teachers for two years,
spending the first as principal of the first ward grammar school of
Madison, and the second as principal of the state reform school, or as
it is now known, the industrial school for boys, at Waukesha. Hav-
ing by that time decided upon his future work he entered the medical
department of the 'Buffalo University, where he completed the course
in 1867, receiving the degree of M. D. While a medical student at
Buffalo he received the appointment of the position of resident physi-
cian in the Buffalo general hospital, a position eagerly sought by med-
ical students and young physicians, as affording an opportunity for ob-
servation which might not come to them in many years in a general
practice. In 1867-68 he took a post graduate course at the College of
Physicians and Surgeons in Xew York city, receiving his diploma for
this work upon its completion. Dr. Sheldon began the practice of his
professional life at Winona, Minnesota, where he remained three
years when he went to Greenville, Michigan, (January, 1872) and
entered into a partnership with Dr. John Avery, a man prominent not
only in his profession but in pol'tical and social life. He remained in
Greenville thirteen years, building up an extensve practice and enter-
ing largely into the social and rel'gious life of the community. In
1885 Dr. Sheldon came to> Madison where he has practiced success-
fully for over twenty vears, filling, in that time, many official positions

804 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

in connection with his profession; he has been secretary of the Central
Wisconsin .Medical Society since 1885 and of the Wisconsin Medical
Society since 1890; he is a member of the council of the American
Acadenn of Medicine. He has served as a member of the United
States board of examiners for pensions, and is also an occasional con-
tributor to the literature of his profession, and a member of the literary
fraternity Alpha Delta Phi. Dr. Sheldon was married at Buffalo, N.
Y., October 30, 1868, to Miss Emma L. Hodge, of that city, niece of
"William Hodge, a pioneer of western New York. She was graduated
from the Buffalo Female Seminary with the class of 1867. She is
prominent in the social life of the city and is at the. present time the
president of the Woman's Club. Both Dr. Sheldon and his wife are
members of the Congregational church and actively interested in its
work; the doctor is a deacon of the church, and for fourteen years was
superintendent of the Sunday school in connection with his church.
Four sons and one daughter were born to- Dr. and Mrs. Sheldon, —
William Hodge, born October 8, 1869, died April 22, 1874; Sidney
Roby, born April 11, 1873, was graduated form the electrical engineer-
ing course of the University of Wisconsin in 1894; Walter Hodge,
born December 3, 1874, also a graduate of the University of Wiscon-
sin with the degrees of B. A. and B. S. and later received the degree
of M. D. from the Rush Medical College, Chicago, and after serving
as interne in St. Luke's hospital, Chicago, and spending a year in
study in Vienna. Berlin and London, has entered upon the practice
of medicine in company with his father. He was married June 14,
L906, to Helen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert D. Waite of Ports-
mouth, Ohio. Stuart, born August 23, 1876, graduated from the
University of Wisconsin in 1899 with the degree of B. S. ; gradu-
ated from the Rush Medical College in 1902, then became interne
of the St. Vincent Hospital, Portland, Oregon, and is now in the
general practice in that city. Helen Miriam, born December 3,
1884, married Charles Lyman of Arizona, formerly of Madison, te>
whom one child has been born.

Patrick Sherlock, who has recently taken charge of the manage-
ment of "The Sherlock," one of the leading hostelries in Madison,
comes to his new duties well equipped in a business way with those
qualities which are likely to insure success. Neither is he a stranger
to the people of Madison or to the traveling' public, as the years spent
as a resident of Dane 'county makes him acquainted with the one and
a more or less of a varied career has brought him in touch with the
other. Mr. Sherlock was born in the county of Westmeath, Ireland,
in March, 1842, and is a son of William F. and Julia (Mc-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 805

Kiernan) Sherlock, both of who were also natives of the Emerald Isle.
The father was a master mechanic in his native country, and after com-
ing to Xew York, in the autumn of 1842, he worked one year in that
city as a contractor. A disastrous fire visited the metropolis at that
time and in the conflagration Air. Sherlock lost his savings. He then
continued his journey westward, and finally reaching the territory of
Wisconsin he purchased a homestead in the town of Cottage Grove.
Dane county, the place consisting of one hundred and sixty acres. He
continued to work at his trade after coming here, and among the con-
tracts which he secured and fulfilled was a job of plastering the pion-
eer Block in the city of Madison. He also erected the Vilas residence,
where A. O. Fox now resides, and many other buildings yet remain as
monuments to his handicraft. He paid but little attention to farm-
ing during his first year's residence in Wisconsin ; in 1853 he sold his
Cottage Grove farm and purchased what is still known as the Sherlock
farm, on the south shore of Second lake in the town of Dunn. There
he resided, engaged in agricultural pursuits, until about the year 1880,
when he removed to Madison and became the owner of what has since
been known as the Sherlock Hotel building. He then continued to
reside in the capital city until his death. May 31, 1889. His wife, whj
had shared with him all the vicissitudes incident to a life in a new
country, passed away on December IT, 1880, at the old homstead in
the town of Dunn. They were the parents of four children, three of
whom were born in Ireland and the other in Cottage Grove. Of these
children, Margaret Olwell, the oldest., died in Redlands, Cal. ; Ed-
ward is in the life insurance business in Brooklyn, X. Y. ; Patrick E.
is the subject of this review, and the youngest is Mrs. Julia Osborn,
who is associated with her brother in the ownership of the Sherlock
Hotel. Patrick E. Sherlock was about six months old when his parents
came to America, and was less then two years of age when the family
took up its abode in Dane county, so that our subject can lay just
claim to being a life-long resident thereof. And this is literally true,
excepting his early childhood and the time during which his business
interests have demanded his attention in other places. He received
his education in the schools of Madison, and after reaching the years
of maturity managed the homestead farm in the town ot Dunn for a
time. He then entered the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern
Railroad Company and continued so engaged until 1892. after which
he spent a number of years in the far west, engaged in the mining in-
dustry. He has been a member of the Board of Trade at Chicago for
for the past ten years. In 1905 he returned to Madiscn for the pur-

306 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

pose of making- it his permanent residence, and on July I, 1906, as-
sumed the management of the hotel which bears the family name.
Mr. Sherlock adheres to the principles of the Democratic party, but he
has always reserved the right of his own judgement in selecting the
men best fitted for an official position when their claims are sub-
mitted to the electorate for a final decision. In his fraternal rela-
tions he affiliates with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks,
and his religious faith is expressed by membership in the Catholic
church.

Henry Shetter, of the village of McFarland, was born in York,
Penn.. May 21, 1833. He was the oldest son of John and Mary
(Stewart) Shetter, also of Pennsylvania. The other members of
the family are Susan (Mrs. Fred Reed), of McFarland ; Sarah,
widow of William Crooks, of McFarland; John W., of Stoughton ;
William H., of McFarland. • Henry Shetter received his education
in the district schools. In company with his parents he came to
Wisconsin in 1845, first settling in the vicinity of Koskonong Lake
Six months later found the family located on a claim in the town
of Pleasant Springs. Two years later they sold this claim and
built a blacksmith shop on the road between Madison and Cam-
bridge, where Henry worked until his enlistment on January 14,
1864, in Company D, Seventh Wisconsin Infantry. He saw7 serv-
ice in the engagements of the Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Spottsyl-
vania. North Ann River, Petersburg, Ream Station, Yellow House
Tavern, Weldon Railroad, and Gravelly Run, being wounded at the
latter place. He was offered promotions, but refused to accept
them. On November 15, 1865, he received an honorable discharge
from the army while a patient in the army hospital at Camp Ran-
dall. After the war he drifted to McFarland. where for seven
years he was engaged in business. During Governor Luding-
ton's administration he secured a position as night watch in the
state capitol at Madison, and served fifteen years, retiring during
Gov. Scofield's administration. Since that time McFarland has
been his home. He owns fourteen acres in the village and a sum-
mer home at Edward's Park. Politically he is a Republican, but
has never been elected to any office. He is not a member of any
church. In 1855, Mr. Shetter married Ellen Hoffman, daugh-
ter of Philip and Matilda (Sunderman) Hoffman of Cottage Grove.
Mrs. Shetter was born Ma}- 6. 1832, and was educated in the schools
in the vicinity of her home. To this union have been born nine
children. — Fifilena Adeline, born May 15, 1856, died December 9,
L89] : Barbara Jane, born August 2. 1858; Anna Eliza, born Febru-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 807

ary 15, 1860; Emelina, August 5, 1862; Ulysses Grant, July 24,
1864. died January 13, 1901; Aletha May, August 23. 1866; Jennie
(Mrs. L. E. Dolan of Cedar Lake. la..) August 23, 1868; Maud
Belle. July 31, 1870; and Frederic. August 12. ISM, married Marie
Jacobson and lives in Madison. Mrs. Shetter died February 11,
1906. Though crippled for life in the Civil War and unable to do
manual labor. Mr. Shetter has accumulated enough of this world's
goods to enable him to settle down and spend the rest of his days in
comfort.

J. H. Sholts, of Oregon, was born at Sun Prairie, September 15,
1873, of German parentage. Jacob and Christine (Stine.) Sholts
They came to the United States in 1859 and settled in Sun Prairie,
Dane county, where their children, except the oldest, (Mrs.
Custer, of Dunn township) were born and reared and where they
remained until their death. The children were all educated in Sun
Prairie, and the subject of this sketch started out for himself when
he was twenty-one years of age. He has always followed the oc-
cupation of farming and has lived in Dane, except two years spent
in Dakota. He owns a good farm of one hundred and twenty
acres of improved land, which is devoted to stock-raising and gen-
eral farming. He has lived on the place a year, has built a new
house and made other improvements. Mr. Sholts is not a member,
but attends and supports the Presbyterian church ; he is a Demo-
crat in politics. Pie married. March 17, 1900, Miss Ethel Devine,
daughter of Alonzo Devine, of Oregon township ; Mr. Devine and
his wife were among the early settlers of Dane, and have both
passed away. Mrs. Sholts was born in Oregon township, as were
three children. Gladys, Robbie and Earl.

Herman Showers is a prominent contractor of Stoughton, where
many well-known buildings testify to the excellence of his work.
He was born in the town of Dunkirk, Dane county, AYis., August
17, 1864. son of Charlie and Elizabeth (Holloway) Showers, the
former born in Cayuga county, X. Y., in 1834, and the latter a na-
tive of North Carolina. Charlie Showers began to work at the
brick and stone mason's trade when he was seventeen years old
and followed the same vocation after he came to Dane county in
1857. Herman learned the same trade at his father's side and at
the age of fifteen was earning as much as many an older man. In
1882 he engaged in his present business in which from the first he
has been successful. He built the Methodist Episcopal church of
Stoughton. the Hub building, two stores of brick on Main street
owned by James S. Hutson,. did the spire work and plastering on

808 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

the Baptist church and erected many other edifices. Air. Showers
has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Blanche McNeil,
daughter of David and Eunice ( Barlow I McNeil of Stoughton, anu
two children, Rowena and Ray, were born to this marriage. Mr.
Showers then married Miss Mary Tellefson, daughter of Ole Tel-
lefson, a farmer of Dunkirk, and five children were born to them,
Walter, Charlie, Grace, Harry and Florence. Mrs. Showers is
identified with the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Showers is
a member of the Republican party and always interested in local
affairs although his business engrosses so much of his time that
he has little left to devote to active politics. He is a member of the
organization of Beavers.

Anton Shuster is a well-known farmer of the town of Medina,
where he owns and operates a farm of one hundred and fifty acres.
He was born in Bohemia, Germany, and was brought by his par-
ents, Frank and Antona (Bedner) Shuster. to America, when he was
but two years old. Frank Shuster and his wife wrere both natives
of Bohemia and crossed the ocean in 1854:, coming directly to Wis-
consin. Their first home was in Jefferson county and in 1866 they
moved to Dane county, where Mr. Shuster bought a farm in the
town of York. This he sold and another farm was purchased and
after living in several different homes in Dane county, he finally
retired and lives in Sun Prairie. Mrs. Frank Shuster died in 1901
and of their ten children but six are living. The family are de-
voted members of the Catholic church, whose edifice, in Sun Prairie
Antone Shuster wras instrumental in rearing. Antone Shuster was
born December 18, 1852, and attended school in both Jefferson and
Dane counties but early began to help his father with the duties
of the farm which he later made the business of his life. He mar-
ried, in 1878, Miss Theresa Stangler. also a native of Bohemia and
daughter of Frank and Rose Stangler. who came to Wisconsin in
1866 and settled in Sun Prairie. The Shuster family circle com-
prises eleven sons and daughters ; Edith, the oldest ; and in the or-
der of their ages, Anna, Martha, Rose. Ella, Josephine. Charlie.
Mary, George, Maggie and Leneta. All have attended the home
schools. Mr. Shuster is a Democrat in his political sympathies
but has never taken an active part in politics or aspired for office.

Farrand Kayley Shuttleworth, attorney at law, was born April
17, 186)3, two miles east of Fennimore, in a log cabin, on a farm in
Grant county. Wisconsin. Mr. Shuttleworth's father was of Scotch
and English parentage and his mother of Greek and Irish. Mr.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 809

Shuttleworth married Elizabeth C. Dames, June 9, 1893, and has a
son, Farrand Dames, twelve years old. and a daughter, Saadi Sapho,
six years old. Mr. Shuttleworth received his education in the com-
mon schools of Wisconsin, having been graduated with the class
of '92 from the college of law of the University of Wisconsin, and
since graduation has been practicing his profession in the city of
Madison, Wisconsin. By his own efforts he has worked up a good
and substantial clientage and excels as a jury lawyer. Tie has an
independent mind, is an original thinker and has considerable at-
tainments as a literary man. Mr. Shuttleworth is public spirited,
is a Republican in politics, loves a good story, and is a good con-
versationalist.

Rev. Bernard Albert Siepker, pastor of St. John's Catholic church
at Waunakee, was born at Potosi, Grant county. December 11, 1862.
His parents came from Germany to Wisconsin in the pioneer days
and spent the remainder of their lives in the home of their adop-
tion. The father, John Siepker. was born in 1817 and the mother,
Bridget (Muntergall) Siepker, in 1816. They were married in
Potosi, and there Mr. Siepker interested himself in mining, being
the owner and operator of a lead mine. After his death in. 1888 his
widow came to Waunakee and remained there until the occurence
of her own in 1892. They had seven children, four sons and three
daughters, of whom all the sons and one daughter survived them,
but the daughter died May 17, 1905. Mr. Siepker was a stanch
Democrat and all the family were members of the Catholic church.
Rev. Bernard A. Siepker received the rudiments of his education in
the common schools of Harrison. Grant county, and afterward at-
tended the Catholic parochial schools of Potosi, and was gradu-
ated from St. Francis seminary in 1888. He served for one year
as the assistant pastor at Oshkosh, and in September, 1889, came
to Waunakee, where he has since officiated as pastor of the Catholic
church. In politics, he belongs to the Democratic party.

George Silverwood, a pioneer farmer of Albion, is a native of
Yorkshire, England, where he was born December 25. 1827, son of
Thomas and Mary (Hoyle) Silverwood. Of a family of six broth-
ers and sisters George was the only son to come to America. He
was brought up as a farmer and lived in England until after he
reached the age of twenty-one when he embarked on a sailing ves-
sel for. the United States. He reached Milwaukee without a penny
in his pocket and began to work out at once. Continuing his jour-
ney to Albion he was there employed by the- settlers in clearing
land. etc.. and soon was able to purchase a farm of his own. The

810 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

farm which he purchased contained one hundred acres, twenty
acres of which lay in Jefferson county, and was all wild. The
first dwelling on the property was a little log house afterward re-
placed by a more commodious home. Many other improvements
have been made and Mr. Silverwood has always made it his home.
1 [e was first married to Miss Mary Cooper of Derbyshire, who died
in 1855. Mr. Silverwood. then married Miss Helen Calder of Wau-
kesha county, daughter of James Calder of Perthshire, Scotland,
and Dunbar (Keith) Calder. One daughter was born to the first
marriage. Ann (deceased), who married Knute Brusrud and after
his death became Mrs. Morris Hain of Rock county, Six children
blessed the second marriage ; Thomas, who is an attorney of Green
Bay and married Miss Lizzie Will of Waukesha county and has
two children. George P. and Ralph J. : Mary Dunbar, who is Mrs.
William Slagg of Albion and has two sons, Lowell S. and Stan-
ley W. ; George Henry, a farmer of Albion who married Miss Cora
Russell of Lisbon. X. D., and has one daughter. Helen G. ; Emma
Elizabeth, who married Jens T. Xaset, March 23, 1903, a carpenter
and farmer of Albion, and has one child, Bulah S., born April 9,
1905; Buelah H., died in infancy; Percy W.. an attorney of Val-
paraiso, Ind. The family have always been active members of the
Primitive Methodist church of Albion Prairie. Mrs. Silverwood
died in June, 1900. and her husband still lives on the old farm. He
is a Republican but has never desired office.

Andrew H. Sime is one of the popular traveling commercial sales-
men who maintain their home in Stoughton, and he has followed
his present vocation for nearly a score of years. Mr. Sime, like
many other representative citizens of Dane county, is a native of
Norway, where he was born January 20, 1851, being a son of Hal-
vor W. and Anna Nagel (Orebeck) Sime. Mr. Sime passed the
first eighteen years of his life in his native land, where he was ac-
corded good educational advantages. In 1873 he immigrated to
America, making Wisconsin his destination. He first located in
Stoughton, and for several years thereafter he devoted his attention
to agricultural pursuits, in the meanwhile showing his ambition
and his desire for broader knowledge, by attending the district
schools as opportunity presented and also by becoming finally a
student in what was then known as the Norwegian Academy, in
the city of Madison. In this institution he remained three months,
duly profiting by the advantages there offered. After completing"
his educational work Mr. Sime identified himself with mercantile
pursuits, having been employed several years as clerk in the cloth-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 811

ing department of the establishment of Johnson & Melaas, of
Stoughton, and, later being made manager of the firm's branch store
at Edgerton. This position he retained one year, at the expiration
of which, in 1888, he initiated his very successful career "on the
road" as a clothing salesman, representing Mayer, Engel & Com-
pany, of Chicago, wholesale dealers in children's and boy's clothing.
He remained with this concern five years, when the firm retired
from business, and be then entered the employ of the extensive and
wholesale clothing house of Kuh, Nathan & Fischer Company, with
which he since remained, — a period of thirteen years' service. His
assigned territory is a desirable and attractive one and he enjoys
marked popularity with the trade as well as with the concern which
he so efficiently represents. Air. Sime was fnamed in 1891 and for
the ensuing four years maintained his home in Chicago. In 1895
he purchased his present attractive home in Stoughton, and in this
thriving little city he and his wife are surrounded by a wide circle
of loyal friends. He is affiliated with the local lodge and chapter
of the Masonic fraternity, the Eastern Star, and also with the lodge
and uniform rank of the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent & Pro-
tective Order of Elks, and the Oriental Order of the Palm & Shell.
His political support is given to the Republican party, and both he
and his wife are members of Christ church, (Norwegian Lutheran).
November 19, 1891, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Sime to
Miss Ella M. Olson, daughter of Knut and Christine (Holm) Olson,
well known residents of Stoughton, who came to America from
Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Sime became the parents of four children,
of whom three are living: Eleanor A., Ruth C. and Oliver O. Sep-
tember 1, 1906, Andrew H. Sime, his brother, John O. Sime, and
Maurice A. Hemsing opened a new and up-to-date clothing and
men's furnishing store in Stoughton, under the name of "Alodel
Clothing Company,'' under the management of Mr. Hemsing. Mr.
Sime and his brother, however, continue in their positions on the
road in th« wholesale clothing business.

Edlen P. Sime, for some years engaged in mercantile pursuits at
Madison, is a native of Norway, who served his adopted country well
at the time of the Civil War. He was but six years of age when he
was brought to- Wisconsin by his parents, Peter Olson and Synera (Ell-
ingspn) Olson of Voss, Norway. The little family made the perilous
journey in a sailing vessel which was one month en route. They
landed in New York city and immediately continued their journey
westward to Wisconsin. In Christiana township, Dane county, Mr.
Olson purchased one hundred and sixty acres of wild land, which was

812 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

unimproved and covered with timber. A log house was built and with
infinite energy and patience the pioneers began to make the place hab-
itable. Mrs. ( )lson died in 1850 and her husband married again. Two
children were born to the first marriage ; Edlen P. and Breta, who
married and live in Madison. The second marriage was also blessed
with two children ; Rachel, who lives in Jackson county. Wis., and
Lars (deceased). Edlen P. was born in Voss, October 9, 1840, and had
but little 'opportunity to attend school in the new home. Schools were
few and necessary work at home arduous. At the age of ten years the
boy went to' live with Iver Sime and there he remained until the out-
break o<f the war, when he enlisted. September, 1861, in Company H,
Fifteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, a Scandinavian regiment,
captain, Knute Sime. colonel. Hane Hegg. The regiment was as-
signed to the Army of the Cumberland and fought at Island Xo. io,
Perryville, Stone River, etc. At Stone River, Air. Sime was wounded
in the right side and left on the field where he lay unattended for thirty-
six hours. He was sent to Nashville and thence to Louisville and spent
many months in hospital. At Exchange Barracks he was detailed for
light duty but was soon stricken with small pox and again was unfit
for service for some weeks. After his discharge, February 13, 1865,
he returned to Dane county and located in Madison which has ever
since been his home. In 1871, he married Miss J. Larson, of Deer-
field, daughter of Holden Larson. Their charming home at 1221 Rut-
ledge St. was built in 1884. Mr. Sime is a member of the Society of
Norwegian Pioneers of Dane county and also of the Dane county
veterans of the Civil War. His first vote was cast at Louisville for
Abraham Lincoln and he has always been a stanch supporter of the
principles of the Republican party.

John N. Sime, one of the thrifty and prosperous Norwegian farm-
ers of the town of Cottage Grove, was born "n that town. July 15,
1856. His parents are Nelse T. and Mary N. Sime. John's edu-
cational advantages were very limited, being only what the schools
of his native town afforded. Until he was sixteen years of age he
remained at home and then started farming the father's place with
his brother. After a few years he built the home where he now
resides. On November 12. 1890, he married Martha Melhime,
daughter of Ole and Breta (Moe) Melhime. Mrs. Sime was born
in Grant county, Wisconsin, August 18, 1867, and received her edu-
cation in the schools of that county. By her marriage to Mr. Sime
she is the mother of eight children, seven of whom are still living.
Mabel Josephine, born August 27. 1891, died November 29. 1899.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 813

Neli was born February 21, 1893; Bertha OHne, April 20, 1895;
Elmer Oscar. June 6, 1897; Helen Mildred March 25, 1898; John
Melvin, May 15, 1900; Arthur Theodore. June 14, 1902; and
Thomas William. March 12, 1905. Mrs. Sime was one of eleven
children, seven of whom are living. — Eric lives in Grant county;
Martha, Mrs. Sime ; Anna is the wife of Andrew Moe, a farmer of
Grant county ; Lena is the wife of W. O. Havy of Stoughton; Tillie
is the wife of August Zimmerchied of Oshkosh ; Ida makes her
home with her parents; and Thomas Martin, who married Breta
Hoveland, lives on the old homestead with the parents who have
resided there for thirty-fiye years. In religious matters Mr. Sime
and his family give zealous allegiance to the Norwegian Lutheran
church. In politics the head of the family is a Republican, but
while he casts his vote with regularity and labors for the advance-
ment of his party's cause, he has never accepted office. With the
stolid persistence so characteristic of his race Mr. Sime has per-
severed, and has not only succeeded but has prospered.

John O. Sime is one of the popular commercial salesmen making
Stoughton a place of residence, and he is traveling salesman for one
of the leading wholesale clothing establishments of the city of Chicago.
He was born in Norway, August 5. 1869, and is a son of Halvor W.
and Anna Xagel (Orebeck) Sime. He secured his fundamental
education in Norway, where he remained until he had attained to the
age of thirteen years, when he came to the United States, arriving in
Stoughton, Wisconsin, April 19, 1882. Here he has since maintained
his home. He supplemented his educational work by a course in
Albion Academy, this county, where he remained a student four years,
being graduated from the business course in 1887. He then learned
the trade of machinist, in Madison, and followed the same as a vocation
for seven years, at the expiration of which, in 1894, he took a position
as traveling salesman, in which line of work he has shice continued
most successfully, also finding much satisfaction in the fact that his
assigned territory is such that he is able to make Stoughton his home.
In politics he is a Republican, fraternally he is identified with the Free
and Accepted Masons and the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks, and he attends the Norwegian Lutheran church, in whose faith
he was reared. March 15-, 1898, Mr. Sime was united in marriage to
Miss Ida Peterson, daughter of Peter and Marie Peterson, of Stough-
ton. and they have three children, — Harry, William and Laura. Sep-
tember 1, 1906, Mr. Sime with his brother. Andrew H. Sime, and
Maurice A. Hemsing, embarked in the clothing and men's furnish-

SU HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

ing business with the firm name of "Model Clothing Co.," under the
management of Mr. Remsing. Mr. Sime still continuing on the
road in the wholesale clothing business.

Thomas N. Sime is one of the able and popular representatives of
the agricultural industry in Dane county, being the owner of a
finely improved farm of two hundred acres, in section 29, Cottage
Grove township. He has passed his entire life in this county and
is a scion of one of its honored pioneer families. He was born on
the parental homestead, in Cottage Grove township, August 8, 1853,
and is a son of Nels T. and Mary N. Sime, both natives of Sogen,
Norway. The father was born in 1812, and died January 13, 1878,
and the mother, who was born in 1820, died March 9„ 1805. Nels T.
Sime was a blacksmith by trade and made the first plow ever manu-
factured in Cottage Grove, while he also owned the first threshing
machine ever operated by a resident of Cottage Grove township.
He was a man of strong individuality and progressive ideas and
was one of the well known and highly respected citizens of the
county. Thomas N. Sime was reared on the oM home farm, early
beginning to lend his aid in its reclamation and cultivation, while
his educational opportunities were those afforded in the district
schools. His parents came to America in IS 1 J and made the trip
on foot from Milwaukee to Dane county. The father took up gov-
ernment land in Cottage Grove township and the deed, signed by
the president of the United States, is in the possession ot the sub-
ject of this sketch, whose beautiful landed estate is a part of the
property thus secured by his father in the early pioneer days. After
their arrival in the township the parents had no domicile, as the
new home was in the midst of the forest, and for several weeks
they lived under the grateful shadows and protection of four fine
trees, which are still standing, being veritable patriarchs and land-
marks. These trees constituted the only shelter until the lather
could hew logs to erect the log cabin home Milwaukee was at
that time the nearest trading point and the hardy pioneer. Nels T.
Sime, made the trips to and from on foot, leaving his wife at home
with their two small children. The Indians were frequent visitors
and wild animals were still in marked evidence; including deer,
while other game was to be had in abundance, s<> that the pioneers
had no difficulty in supplying their tables with good meat. When
Mr. S:me selected his land he could have taken that lying on either
side of Williamson street, in the heart of the city of Madison, the
Future capital having at that time but one store. Mr. Sime
was an auditor on the occasion of the delivering of the first ser-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 815

mon by a preacher in his section of the count}*, the se'ttlers having
assembled for worship under the trees. — where the village of Mc-
Farland now stands. He also hauled the first two logs used in
the building of the first church in this vicinity, contributing the
same from his own land. Thomas N. Sime, the immediate sub-
ject of this sketch, was reared under the influence of the pioneer
epoch, and during the entire career, from youth to the present he
has been identified with agricultural pursuits, while he has been
a witness of the magnificent development of his county and state
and has aided in bringing about the material and civic progress
which now indicates a great and prosperous commonwealth. He
has gained a competency and his beautiful rural home is one which
shows on every side the unmistakable evidences of thrift, pros-
perity and generous comfort. He and his wife hold the unqualified
regard of all who know them, and the attractive home is one in
which hospitality is ever shown without reservation. Mr. Sime
came into possession of his present homestead before the death of
his father, having gained success through well directed effort. He
is one of the loyal supporters of the cause of the Republican party,
and he served for a number of years as a member of the board of
township trustees. He and his wife are prominent and zealous
members of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and he is a member of
the building committee of the new church edifice in McFarland.
In 1880, in Pleasant Springs township, Mr. Thomas X. Sime wad
united in marriage to Miss Lena Herried, who was born in Sogen,
Norway, August 12. 1850, being a daughter of Wilkin and Christina
Herried both of whom were born in' Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Sime
became the parents of eight children, one of whom died in infancy,
unnamed. Concerning the others the following data are given as
indicating names and respective dates of birth : Christina Amelia,
May 24, 1881 ; Nellie Maria, September 7, 1882. died February 27,
1883; Nellie Maria (2d), November 10, 1883, died May 0, 1885;
Thea Soveina, February 12, 1885, died April 1(3, 1886 ; Nellie Maria
(3d), February 27, 1887: Ida Soveina, September 13, 1889; and
Bertha Caroline. October 15. 1891.

Edward Skelley is now living retired in the city of Madison after
years of ceaseless toil and widely varied experiences. He is a son
of the Emerald Isle, having been born in the county of Louth,
Ireland, and was one of eleven children born to Patrick and Judith
(O'Neill) Skelley, life-long residents of Ireland. Our subject was
reared to manhood in his native land and received his education in
the public schools. In 1847 he migrated to America, and locating

816 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

in the state ©f New York, remained there five years, his general em-
ployment being as a lahorer in a brick yard. After spending some
time in the south and other portions of the Union he came to Wis-
consin in 1856 and first worked in a brick yard near Madison. But
after being thus employed for a short time he became afflicted with
sore eyes, and the doctor advised him to change his occupation and
also his locality. Thereupon he went to the Kickapoo Valley and
conducted a boarding house for wood choppers for about six
months, after which he returned to Madison and worked as a rail-
way employee for the ensuing five years. He then removed to the
village of McFarland, in Dane county, where he held the position
of section foreman on the railroad for several years, after which he
devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits. After renting a
farm in the town of Fitchburg for a few years, in 1876 he purchased
one hundred and fifty-four acres upon which he resided until 1900,
making all the necessary improvements. In the latter year he de-
cided to retire from the strenuous activities of life, and he pur-
chased the home on Main street, in the city of Madison, where he
now resides and where he expects to remain until the end of his
earthly career. His life has been a successful one, but Mr. Skelley
very generously says that a great deal of the credit is due to the
economy and encouragement of his faithful wife, who shared with
him all the privations incident to a pioneer life. Of the eleven chil-
dren of the Skelley family nine came to America, but only two of
these are living, our subject and his brother Lawrence, who resides
with him. Mr. Skelley is a member of that time-honored political
organization, the Democratic party, and the religious faith of him-
self and wife is expressed by membership in the Catholic church.
Mr. Skelley was married in September, 1854, to Miss Margaret Tier-
ney, born in Ireland in 1835, daughter of Francis and Mary (Mc-
Kenna) Tierney. who were also natives of that country. To the
union of Mr. and Mrs. Skelley there has been born one son, John,
who married Miss Mary Fox and resides in the town of Fitchburg
Captain Thomas Clark Slagg is a well known merchant of Cam-
bridge. Wis. He was born in Yorkshire, England, January 1. 1837,
and came to the United States with his parents, Joseph and Eliza-
beth (Clark) Slagg, in 1849. The family embarked on a sailing
vessel that consumed seven weeks and two days in making the voy-
age. The rest of the journey to Milwaukee was made by water, as
was customary in that day. and from there teams and wagons car-
ried the party to Albion, where Mr. Slagg opened a general store.
the first one in that vicinity. With W. I). Totter Mr. Slagg pur-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 817

chased a store in Cambridge four years later and soon became sole
•owner. In 1861 the store and stock was destroyed by fire and Mr.
Slagg retired to a small farm, where he spent the remainder of his
life. Three children were born to Joseph Slagg and his wife ;
Margaret is the widow of W. D. Potter and lives in Beloit, Wis.,
Thomas C. is the subject of this sketch; Mary is the widow of
Rev. Peter K. Rye. Mr. Slagg was a Whig and a Republican, held
the office of justice of the peace and was a valued and prominent
member of the community until his death in 1867. His wife sur-
vived him but three years. Thomas C. Slagg was educated in the
home schools and the Albion academy and enlisted when he was
twenty-four years of age. He entered the service as a private in
Company K, Third Regiment of Wisconsin Infantry. April 14, 1861,
and remained in the army as a veteran until the end of the war.
His regiment was present at the battles of Winchester, Cedar
Mountain, Beverly Ford, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and Antie-
tam. It was assigned to the Twelfth corps which was later con-
solidated with the Eleventh to form the Twentieth corps. After
the Gettysburg campaign the corps was transferred from the Army
of the Potomac to the Army of the Cumberland with which it
served until the end of the war through Sherman's campaign of
many days' fighting on the way to Atlanta and the march following
to the sea. After the war, Mr. Slagg who had earned the rank of
captain of Company H of the Third Wisconsin Infantry, re-
turned to mercantile business in Cambridge in partnership with
W. D. Potter. He bought Mr. Potter's interest in the drug busi-
ness after a short time and Ole Bilstad became junior partner and
finally sole proprietor of the business. Captain Slagg engaged in
the dry goods business in Janesville for two years and then re-
turned to Cambridge where he is at present a merchant. Captain
Slagg is an ardent Republican, has been postmaster at Cambridge
and chairman of the village board. He is a prominent member of
the Frank H. Potter Post No. 222 of the G. A. R. at Cambridge, of
which he has been both commander and adjutant. Mrs. Slagg was
born in Jamestown, N. Y., daughter of Solomon S. Butler, was mar-
ried April 31, 1861, and died in 1890. Mr. Butler was a prominent
farmer of Cambridge. His oldest son is S. H. Butler, deceased,
Abbie S., wife of Albert S. Gray, residing in Laramie City, Wyo-
ming, is the oldest daughter ; Richard, the second son, resides in
Laramie, Wyoming, and Mrs. Slagg was the youngest daughter.
Harry L. Butler attorney of Madison. Wis., is the son of S. H.
52 — iii

818 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Butler. Captain Slagg married a second time, his wife being Mrs.
Olena Krogh, widow of Albert H. Krogh, who was born and
brought up in Kroghville, Wis.

William H. Slatter, Jr., a prominent young farmer of the town of
Sun Prairie, is a native of Dane county. He carried on until very
recently a general farming business on the splendid farm of two
hundred and eighty acres which was owned by his father before
him. William H. Slatter, Sr.. was born in Oxford, England, Feb-
ruary 2, 1823, attended Oxford University and., in 1849, came to the
United States and located in Dane county. Wis. He married Miss
Isabella Jane Douglas, who was born on the Black river in Jackson
county, Wis., in 1842. She was the first white child born in that
locality and was the daughter of William Douglas, of Dumfries,
Scotland, and Caroline (Walker) Douglas. Of the eleven children
born to Mr. and Mrs. Slatter. three sons and five daughters are now
living. Mr. Slatter was prominent in the community and always ,
active in its interests. He was a Democrat and held many local
offices. For many years he was chairman of the town board and
was assessor for one term. He aided in the establishment of the
Farmers Mutual Protective Fire Insurance Co.. of which he was
president until his death. He was a member of the Masonic Or-
der and of the Protestant Episcopal church. William H. Slatter,
Jr., was born on the farm purchased by his father in Sun Prairie,
February 24, 1873, attended the district school and Waterloo school
and always, until his recent sale, lived on the farm. In November,

1900, he married Miss Ada Paskey who was born in Jefferson
county, Wis., a daughter of William and Amelia (Blaze) Paskey,
who came to Wisconsin from Germany. Richard Douglas, born in

1901, is the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Slatter. Like his father,
Mr. Slatter is a Democrat in his political affiliations and takes an
active interest in politics. He served a term as member of the
board of supervisors.

Edward H. Smith, official court reporter for the ninth judicial
circuit of the state, is a Wisconsin product. He was born in Mil-
waukee on July 25. 1875, the son of Charles A. and Mary (Powers)
Smith, natives of England and Ireland respectively. His education
was received in the public and parochial schools of his native city
and upon the completion of his studies he entered the law office of
David S. Ordway as office boy and stenographer, holding the posb
tion for five years. He was then made reporter for the superior
court of Milwaukee county, holding the position until his appoint-
ment as private secretary to Justice S. U. Pinney of the state

BIOGRAPHICAL. 819

supreme court. Upon the latter's death he occupied the same
position under Justice J. E. Dodge, retaining- it until January 1,
1900, when he received the appointment to his present position.
Since the creation of the new eighteenth circuit he has been official
reporter for it as well. In the legislative session of 1897 he was
clerk of the senate judiciary committee. In December of 1898
Mr. Smith took the examination under the state board of law ex-
aminers and was admitted to practice in the courts of the state.
On June 20, 1900. he was united in marriage to Miss Genevieve
Coughlin. a native of Madison, and a daughter of Maurice and
Margaret Coughlin. By this union he is the father of three chil-
dren,— Gordon Pinney, Maurice Ordway and Edward. The family
are all members of St. Raphael's Catholic church. Mr. Smith is
also a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks and the college fraternity of Delta Tau
Delta. For seventeen years he has been continuously engaged in
stenographic work and has become one of the most skilled and
efficient shorthand reporters in the state. He is known among
his neighbors as a gentleman of courteous demeanor, genial manner
and unexcelled ability.

General George B. Smith was born at Parma Corners. Monroe
county, Xew York, May 22, 1823, son of Reuben and Betsey (Page)
Smith. His father. Judge Smith, was a native of Rhode Island,
who early immigrated to western Xew York ; thence to Cleveland,
Ohio, in 1825, where he was for two years engaged in the business
of pork packing; moved to Medina, Ohio, in 1827, and was there a
merchant, and judge of the court of common pleas of Medina
county; came to Southport, now Kenosha, Wis., in 1843, and died
at Madison. Wis., in 1874, aged eighty years. General Smith was
the only child of Judge Smith by his first wife, Betsey, who died
when the son was only a few weeks old. He was only four years
of age when his father moved to Medina, and the sixteen years of
his life spent there gave him his only opportunities for attending
school. He read law in various offices and was admitted to the bar
at Racine, Wis.,' in July, 1843. August 29. 1814. he married Miss
Eugenia Weed of Medina. Ohio, by whom he had five children,
only one of whom is now living, Mrs. Robert J. McConnell, of
Madison, Wis. A son, James S.. whose sketch appears elsewhere
in this work, was an accomplished musician of the same city. Gen-
eral Smith began the practice of his profession at Madison in the
fall of 1845. and acquired an enviable reputation as one of the
ablest lawyers of the northwest. He had an extensive practice in

820 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

both the state and Federal courts, and was retained in many import-
ant cases both civil and criminal, wherein he brought into play his
wonderful gifts of oratory. To these were added the attaction of a
fine presence, an easy, graceful and dignified bearing, a subtle and
logical power of argument, a wealth of illustration, and a wonder-
ful self-reliance. Though often impassioned in his utterances, and
speaking with great rapidity and energy, he never lost his perfect
poise of manner and splendid self-control. His contemporaries
were wont to compare him in this respect to the great Illinoisan,
Stephen A. Douglas. His speech was also replete with humor, and
his perception of the ludicrous quick and keen, while he had few
equals in the power of invective, though using it sparingly. His
charm of manner and many social gifts endeared him to a wide
circle of friends. He will long be remembered for his qualities as
an orator, an advocate, and as a political speaker, wherein he had
few equals in the country. He was much in public life ; was for six
years, by election and appointment, district attorney of Dane
county; a member of the first constitutional convention in 1846,
of which body he was the youngest member ; attorney-general of
the state, 1854-.5 ; mayor of Madison for three successive terms.
1858-61 ; was three times elected a member of the assembly for
his district, and though his party, the Democratic, was in a minority
each time, he was by common consent assigned the position of
leader on all party questions, and exercised a commanding influ-
ence. Some of his elaborate speeches in the legislature commanded
high admiration both at home and abroad, in 1861 and again in
1872 he was the Democratic candidate for congress, although de-
feated, and ran far ahead of his ticket. In 1869 he was the choice
of his party as candidate for the United States senate, in opposition
to Hon. Matt. H. Carpenter; was presidential elector in 1868. and
again in 1872. His last active participation in politics was given
in support of Horace Greeley for the presidency. His death
took place September 18, 1879.

Harry G. Smith, one of the enterprising young business men of
Madison, was born in Hammond. St. Croix county. Wis. His par-
ents are J. B. and Marcia A. (Bradford) Smith, natives of New
York state, j. B. Smith is an attorney in Madison and is widely
and favorably known in Dane and surrounding; counties. Harry G.
Smith is the second of the three boys in the family. Ernest B.. the
eldest, graduated From the University of Wisconsin with the degree
of B. L. in L897. He is a teacher by profession, his specialty being
economics. Tic at present is located at the University of Pennsyl-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 821

vania. The third son was Everett J., who died in 1895 at the age
of fourteen. Harry G. Smith received his education in the schools
of Hudson and Madison, and subsequently (in 1900) graduated at
the University of Wisconsin. Two years after graduation were
spent in teaching, one at the Bayfield. Wis., high school, and one
year as principal of the Belleville. Wis., high school. During this
time he was dealing in lands more or less, and he found that his
business had grown to such an extent that it demanded his whole
time. He is now manager of the State Land & Loan Company,
treasurer of the Palmetto Industrial Company, which owns some
8.000 acres of valuable land near Tampa, Fla.. secretary and treas-
urer of the Adjustable Gate Company, supreme treasurer of the
Defenders, an insurance organization, and owns and oversees the
management of the Wisconsin stock farm of 4.000 acres in Dane
county. In all the business enterprises he has been eminently suc-
cessful ; not only has he been fortunate in his investments but he
has exhibited a "business sense" in all his dealings which has won
the confidence of all with whom he has come in contact. Mr. Smith
is unmarried. In religious matters he is affiliated with the Con-
gregational church, and takes an active part in its work. Politi
cally he is independent; he does not "belong" to any parry, but
votes as his judgment dictates.

Henry S. Smith, of Brooklyn, was born at Gorham, Ontario
county. N. Y., April 17, 1847. His father, Henry S. Smith, was a
native of Vermont, and came west when the country was new ; he
came across Lake Michigan, landing at Milwaukee, and came on to
Dane county in November of 1847. He had the facility of adapting
himself to new conditions which made the Yankees such excellent
pioneers, and as the means of transportation were few and the de-
mand considerable, he took up that line of business for a while,
carrying goods and passengers between Madison and Milwaukee.
He took up land in the town of Oregon, cleared and improved it
and made a home for himself and family. His wife was Miss
Phoebe Halford, a native of Xew York, and they both remained on
the homestead, — now the property of their son, Harry S.. — until
their death: his occurred May 1, 1883, and hers June 6, 1885. The
subject of this sketch attended school in the Dwight district in
Oregon township, and followed the business of farming succeed-
ing his father, and enlarging his boundaries ; he now owns two
hundred and thirty-three acres, of which thirty acres are wood-land.
He is one of a family of seven children, four boys and three girls,
of whom ohlv three remain, Henry S., and one brother and one

822 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

sister. Mr. Smith is a Republican, and has held the office of justice
of the peace for twenty years, he has also served as supervisor for
a number of years. He is a member of the church of the United
Brethren, of Rutland. He was married March 13, 18T0, to Miss
Jenette S. Wood, daughter of David and Naomi (Worden) Wood,
of Sextonville, Richland county. Their nine children were all
born in the town of Oregon, and educated there and in the high
school of Oregon village. They are Lulu M., (Mrs. George
Sholts), of Rutland; Ruby, (Mrs. Glidden), of Oregon; Glenn W.,
of Oklahoma; Nina P., at home; Floyd W., of Rockford. 111. ; Ethel
Y. ; of Oregon ; H. Burns. Dean F., and Dale, at home.

James S. Smith, deceased, was another of the native sons of Dane
county who won an enviable distinction in his chosen profession,
and it is eminently fitting that in a publication of this character
mention should be made of him and his life-work. Fie was born
in the village of Marshall, in Dane county, on July 4, 1844, and was
the son of George B. and Eugena (Weed) Smith, old and highly
respected citizens. The father was one of the leading lawyers of
Wisconsin and at cue time filled the responsible position of attor-
ney-general of the state. When he was but :> small child, the par-
ents of our subject removed to the' city of Madison and here he was
reared and received his literary education. He early evinced a pre-
dilection for music and as he grew older his unusual talents in that
direction became more manifest. After suitable preparation he
went to New York city and there enrolled himself as a student un-
der Prof. S. B. Mills, soon becoming very efficient as an instructor
of the musical art. His talents and accomplishments soon won
recognition and he was given the position of instructor in the
musical department of the University of Wisconsin which position
he was occupying at the time of his death. May 20, 1901. Mr.
Smith was a Democrat in his political affiliations, and in religious
belief was a consistent member of the Episcopal church. He was
married. July 31, 1895, to Mrs. Mary Louise Campbell (Brooks),
widow of Daniel Campbell, and daughter of Abiel E. and Mary
( Bort) Brooks, the parents being natives of New York who re-
moved to Niles, Mich., where the daughter. Mis. Smith, was born.
Later, they came to Dane county. Wis., where Mrs. Smith has re-
sided since she was four years of age, the pleasant home which she
owns and occupies being situated on Fast Gilman street. She is
the trustee of her deceased husband's estate. Mrs. Smith is a
highly cultured lady, is a prominent member of the Presbyterian

BIOGRAPHICAL. 323

church, and also holds membership in the patriotic societies —
Daughters of the American Revolution and Colonial Dames.

Matthew Smith, deceased, who met his death a few years since
while in performance of duty, was an honorable citizen and a kind
and loving husband and father, and well deserves recognition in a
volume devoted to memoirs of a county in which he spent all of
his life after becoming an American citizen He was born in
County Cavan, Ireland, in 1853, and although his opportunities
were very limited he managed to get such schooling as was af-
forded in the community in which he lived. He was the only one
of his immediate family who came to America, and he was brought
here by an uncle before he had reached the full years of manhood.
His first work after coming to Dane county was as a farm hand and
he continued so employed for the first seven years of his residence
here. He then entered the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern
.Railroad Company as a brakeman with headquarters at Madison.
and continued so engaged until his death, which occurred March 10,
1899. While running ahead of a car in the performance of his
duties he was tripped in a cross-frog and fell on the track, and be-
fore he could rise he was caught by the rapidly moving cars and
four of them passed over his prostrate form killing him almost in-
stantly. The wife, to whom he was married on February 5, 1884,
resides in the city of Madison with her two sons, George Stanley and
Matthew Vincent, a daughter, Mabel, being deceased. The maiden
name of Mrs. Smith was Bridget Kivlin, and she is a daughter of
Michael Kivlin, a prominent farmer of the town of Fitchburg. Mr.
Smith was a Democrat in his political affiliations and his religious
views of those of the Catholic faith.

Thore Erickson Smithback, who was born in parish Nowe near
Christiania, Norway, March 27, 1842 and died November 9, 1905, was
a well-known farmer of Dane county for many years. He came to
the United States with his parents, Erick Thoreson and Aase (Olds-
datter) Smithback and his sister Anna in 1845. After a long and ted-
ious voyage the family landed at New York and proceeded by way of
Buffalo to Milwaukee where a strong team was procured which took
them to Koshkonong, their journey's end. The home of Nels Olson
Smithback, brother of Erick, sheltered them for a year, after which
Eric purchased a farm in Christiania township near that of his brother.
Six" years later the farm was sold and the family moved to one in sec-
tion 6, which was their home for a long period. Eight children were
born to M(r. and Mrs. Smithback; Thore. Anna. Ole, Nels. Aasil,
Tosten, Erick and Ragnil. With his uncle Nels. young Thore began

824 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

to operate a threshing outfit when he was but sixteen years of age and
for eighteen years was engaged in this business. In 1865 he went to
the northern woods but after six months returned and purchased the
paternal homestead where from that time he carried on a general
farming- business. He owned two hundred and four acres of fine
farm property and also two hundred acres of South Dakota farm land.
Mr. Smithback was a Republican but not an office-seeker and never
took an active part in politics. January 18, 1867, he married Miss
Martha Anderson, born in Albion, March 23, 1842, daughter of
Amund Anderson and Ingobar (Johannesdatte) Anderson. Mrs.
Anderson's first husband was Erick Johnson, with whom she came
from Norway to La Salle, 111. where she married Mir. Anderson. Six
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, all of whom live in Al-
bion, which was the home of their parents after 1840. Mrs. Anderson
died in 1884 and her husband in 1886. To Mr. and Mrs. Smithback
were born eleven children ; Erick, the oldest, born in 1868, lives in
Kingsbury, S. D. ; Andreas Cornelius, born in 1869, died in 1870;
Albert E., born in 1871, is a farmer of Cottage Grove and married
Christina Midland ; Oscar Edward, born in 1873, is a farmer in Cam-
bridge; Ingeborg Marie, born in 1875, married Dr. John Bell and
died in December, 1905 ; Tilla Margaret, born in 1877, is tne w^e °^
William Meyers of Cottage Grove; Sina Louisa, born in 1879, Otto,
born in 1881, Thorval, born in 1883, and Marckus Neal, born in 1887,
all live in Albion; Xetta. born in 1885, died in 1885. All of the chil-
dren were educated in Albion, at the district schools or the Academy
and are members of the Lutheran church.

Seth B. Snyder, superintendent of the Stoughton water works, is a
native of the city of Stoughton. His parents, Washington and Julia
(Buckmian) Snyder, were residents of Ogdensburg, St. Lawerence
county, N. Y. In 1855 thty broke up their home in Ogdensburg and
journeyed west, locating in Stoughton, where Mr. Snyder engaged in
the business of moving and raising buildings. Stoughton became
their permanent home and there Mr. Snyder died in 1886. There
were six children in the Synder family; Catherine, (deceased), John,
Sarah, who married William Coates, Augustus, Philo and Seth B.
Setli B. was born May 15, 1861, was educated in the Stoughton public
school and when he left school learned the cigar-maker's trade at
which he worked for seventeen years. In 1897 he was appointed
assistant superintendent of the water works which he has brought to
a high state of efficency. In recognition of his excellent service he
was appointed superintendent in 1901 and has been reappointed every
year since. March 2, 1898, he married Mrs. Eliza (Brown) McYain

BIOGRAPHICAL. 825

of Madison, S. Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Synder are prominent mem-
bers of the Stoughton Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Synder is a
Republican in his political affiliations but does not take an active part
in politics. He is a member of the Stoughton branch of the I. O. O.
F. and also of the Knights of Pythias.

Knute K. Soiney is the owner of a farm of eighty acres located
in section 26, Blooming Grove township, and he is a representative of
one of the pioneer families of Dane coounty, which has been his home
from the time of his birth. He was born in Pleasant Springs town-
ship, this county, February 2q, 1854, and is a son of Knute Austinson
and Christian Soiney, both of whom were born and reared in Norway,
whence they immigrated to America, taking up their residence in Dane
county, where the mother died when the subject of this sketch wras a
child. He was reared on the home farm, in Pleasant Springs town-
ship, and his early educational advantages were those afforded in the
district schools,. Fie continued to assist his father in the work of the
farm until 1882, in which year he was married and removed to his
present farm, which he then purchased. He has made excellent im-
provements on the place, which is now equipped with good buildings
and maintained under a high state of cultivation, and the passing
vears have brought increasing prosperity to the enterprising and
energetic owner. Upon his removal to his own farm he was accom-
panied by his father, who passed the remainder of his life in the home
of his son, his death occurring December 8, 1896. Mr. Soiney and
his wife have worked side by side, and the fine equipment of their
farm and home bears evidence of their splendid energy and careful
management. Mr. Soiney is active in connection with political affairs
of a local nature, being an uncompromising advocate of the cause of
the Republican party, but he has invariably refused too become a
candidate for public office of any description. He and his wife are
zealous members of the Xorweigian Lutheran church. In the year 1882
was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Soiney to Miss Martha Asbjorn-
son, daughter of Hans and Emma Asbjornson. residents of Dunkirk
township, this county. They have eight children, whose names, with
respective dates of birth, are here entered: Kenus Harvey, February 9,
1883; Clarence Alfred, May 4. 1885; Charles Morse. M&rch 8, 1887;
John Elvin, November 15, 1889; Jovie Alelia. May 7, 1893; Ernest
Delin, April 19, 1896; Lillie Luella. February 25. 1898; and Clara Ma-
tilda, May 4, 1900.

Ernest Sommers is now living retired in the city of Madison after
long years spent in the useful occupation of a gardener, in which he
achieved both material success and, that which is more valuable, the

826 ' HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

respect and esteem of a wide circle of acquaintances. He was born
in Calbe, a town of Prussian Saxony, on December 7, 1822, and is the
son of Henry and Dorothea Sommers, both natives of the German
empire, the father, who had been a soldier in the German army during
the Napoleonic war, dying in 1830, and the mother in 1834. Our
subject had good advantages in his youth and received a very fair ed-
ucation by attendance upon a boarding school in the town of his birth.
He migrated to America in 1846, landing in New York city on Sep-
tember 14 of that year, and then came directly to Wisconsin. He se-
cured employment in a nursery at Milwaukee and remained in that
city thus engaged, for about three years. Then in January, 1850, he
he came to the city of Madison with Governor Farwell, and continued
to work for him, superintending all outside work, for about three
years. He helped lay out all the streets in East Madison and set out
all the shade trees in that part of the city, placing about 3,000 cotton-
wood and soft maple trees between East Madison depot and the Cat-
fish, and he put out hundreds of trees in the park and other parts of
the city proper. In 1853 he purchased of Governer Farwell the land
upon which has ever since stood the Sornmers residence, and where
the subject of this review is spending his old age in comfort and
quietude. Soon after purchasing the land he erected a dwelling, and
the remainder of his active life was devoted to gardening, in which he
met with flattering success, the capital city furnishing a ready and
convenient market for his varied products. Mr. Sommers is a man
of much natural ability, unusual determination, and has always taken
an active interest in affairs of a public nature, giving a hearty support
to whatever met his conscientious approval. In politics he has been
an unswerving adherent to the time-honored principles of the Demo-
cratic part)-, and his worth as a citizen has been recognized by election
to various positions of trust. He served two years as supervisor for
Madison, when the village and town were one, wTas town treasurer of
Madison, assessor of the same for two years, was four years treasurer
of Blooming Grove during the war, and has held at different times
nearly all the offices in that town. He was one of the founders of the
Madison Horticultural Society, and has always given his cheerful sup-
port to enterprises of a public nature. He was married on December
8, 1851, by Judge William Welsh, to Maria Eva Fuchs, a native of
Germany, born in 1829. Mrs. Sommers died on September 14, 1895,
having become mother of twelve children, of whom the following in-
formation is given: Josephine is now the wife of Conrad Hoffman
of Madison; Clara died at the age of three vears: Ernest died at the

BIOGRAPHICAL. 827

age of one year; Leo is the editor of the Madisonian, at Madison;
Max is in the real estate and insurance business in the city of Madison;
Otto is in the United States mail service, and resides in the city of
Madison: Herman died in infancy; Anna is the wife of Thomas F.
Teirney and resides in the city of Madison; Julius is a practicing
physician in Madison; Frank J. resides in Madison, and one child
died unnamed in infancy.

J. C. Sommers, M. D., one of the leading young physicians of
Madison, was born in the town of Blooming Grove, August 5, 1869.
He is a son of Ernest and Eva (Fuchs) Sommers, both natives of
Germany. Dr. Sommers received his preparatory education in tne
public schools of Madison. In 1901 he was graduated at the Chicago
College of Physicians and Surgeons, the medical department of the
University of Ill'nois. Immediately after his graduation he started a
general practice in his home city, and has continued it successfully
since. Dr. Sommers is a member of the Dane County, the Central
Wisconsin, the Wisconsin State, and the American Medical Associa-
tions. He is examiner for the Wisconsin Mutual Life Insurance com-
pany of Madison. Like his mother he is a member of the German
Catholic church.

Nels Sorrenson, of Oregon, was born in Denmark, November 21,
1871. He is the son of Soren and Anna Sorrenson, natives of Den-
mark. His father is a farmer and still living, but his mother is dead.
Tliev had a family of six sons, four of whom live in the United States
and two are still in Denmark. . Mr. Sorrenson was nineteen years old
when he came to Dane county and settled in Oregon township ; after
a residence there of ten years, he made three moves in a period of five
years, going to Fitchburg, then to Rutland and then back to Fitch-
burg- ; he then again changed his residence to Oregon where he has
lived for the past two years. He owns a farm, mostly improved, of
one hundred and sixty acres, and is extensively engaged in ra:sing cat-
tle and horses. In politics he fraternizes with the Democratic party.
Fie married Miss Maggie Hanner, daughter of John and Ella (Put-
nam) Hanner, November 12, 1895. Mr. Hanner 's a native of New
York, and his wife, and also their daughter, of Wisconsin. The two
children of Mr. and Airs. Sorrenson. Earl J. and Archie A'., make the
third generation on the maternal side born in the town of Oregon.
Air. Hanner and his wife still reside in Oregon township; he came to
Dane as a small boy, some time in the fifties, and both he and his wife
were reared and educated in the state. Airs. Sorrenson is their only
child. Air. Sorrenson is a good type of independence and energy, his
present prosperity being the result of his own efforts ; he was thrown

Si's HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

largely upon his own resources from the time he was ten years old tind
early developed the characteristics of diligence and self-reliance. He
is a member of the fraternal order of Modern Woodmen.

Franklin Soule, a prominent farmer of Rutland, is of Puritan an-
cestry He is a direct descendant of George Soule and of the eighth
generation in America. ' George Soule was the founder of the family
in America and was one of the passengers who came in the Mayflower.
The Soules took a prominent part in the Revolutionary War and the
early Indian wars. Sullivan Soule. father of Franklin, was a native
of Penobscot, Ale. and engaged in lumbering in that vicinity. His
mother was Temperance Crow ell before her marriage and was born in
Penobscot. Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan Soule had six children, Hannah,
Lucinda, Samuel, Franklin and two who died in infancy. Franklin
is the sole survivor. Sullivan Soule married again and his second
wife was Miss Hannah P>owker, also a native of Maine, and to this
marriage were born two daughters, Melinda and Henrietta. The lat-
ter died ; the former lives in Wheeling, West \ "irginia. After fhe
death of the second Mrs. Soule, Mr. Soule married Miss Esther
Adams of "Syracuse, N. Y. In 1846, the family left Maine and lo-
cated at Joliet. 111., where they lived for a year. After that they made
Rutland, Wis. their home and owned a large farm in section 2.
Franklin Soule was born in Rutland, November 22, 1849, attended
school in Stoughton and worked on the farm as a boy. The care of
his parents in their old age devolved upon the son and he has always
lived on the old home farm. It consists of three hundred acres with
many improvements and upon it Mr. Soule raises tobacco, grain, hay,
etc., and considerable fine stock, making a specialty of high grade
poultry. March 7, 1875, he married M'iss Malv'na Huff, a native of
Maine. Mrs. Soule's parents, the Rev. Asa Huff and Louisa (Libby)
Huff, resided in Wellington, Me., where Mr. Huff was a minster of
the Free-will Baptist church. Of their seven children but three are
living; Israel and Julia, in Wellington, Me. and Malvina, (Mrs.
Soule). Mr. ami Mrs. Soule have three children. The oldest,
Lois T.. is the wife of Everett Devoll of Rutland and has one daugh-
ter, Lucile. Samuel is a farmer of Rutland and married Miss Carrie
Emmons. Three children make up their family circle; Ralph, Robert
and .Myrtle. Sullivan, the youngest son, lives with his parents and is
a student at the Stoughton high school. The family are devoted
members of the Free-will Baptist church. Mr. Soule is a Republican
but has never devoted much time to politics or desired to hold office.
I [e is a member of the Stoughton chapter and of the Blue Lodge of the
Masonic ( )rder and he and bis wife belong to the Eastern Star.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 829

James Spalding is a retired farmer who has resided for many
years in Dane county and since 1890 in the town of Burke, where
his property is also the site of the Token Creek Creamery. Of
Xew England descent. Ezra Spalding, grandfather of James, was a
soldier in the War of the Revolution and lived in Cornish, New
Hampshire, where his son Lemuel was born September 13, 1787.
Lemuel was educated in Xew Hampshire and there married Miss
Lucy Pierce, who was born in Xew Hampshire, July 6, 1790. They
had ten children, of whom James, the subject of this sketch, and his
brother Charles are the only survivors. James was born in Clare-
mont. Xew Hampshire, July 4. 1829, was taken by his parents to
Harland, Vermont, to live, when he was but three years old. He
attended school in Hartland and at the age of seventeen years he
entered the woolen mills of Bridgewater, Vermont, where he was
employed as a spinner for six years. In 1850 he came to the town
of Windsor and obtained a farm in section 35, which was his home
until 1890. when he moved to the present home in Burke. He has
been allied with the Republican party since its organization but has
not devoted much of his time to active politics. November 29,
1849. he married MJiss Electa Hunt, who was born in Windsor, Ver-
mont, September 2, 1824, daughter of Joseph and Tirzah (Barber)
Hunt, both natives of Springfield, Mass.. who came to Windsor,
Vt., to live, and thence to Windsor, Dane county, Wis. Three
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Spalding" ; Ella, born Xovember
25, 1857, and died February 10, 1874; Harry, born June 25, 1859. a
farmer of the town of Burke, who married Miss Helen Bird, daugh-
ter of W. D. Bird of Madison ; Mrs. Harry Spalding died February
22. 1802. leaving one son. Earl Wayne. Emma, the youngest
daughter was born August 18, 1860. Mrs. James Spalding died in
Windsor, February 11, 1890.

Hiland J. Spaulding is the postmaster at Windsor village and has
lived in Dane county for many years. He was born in Ludlow,
Windsor county, Vermont, son of Warren and Almira ( Spafford)
Spaulding, who were also natives of Windsor county. Warren
Spaulding was a farmer in Vermont and in 1856, came to Dane
county and purchased a farm in the town of Burke. His first wife
was a Miss Sanderson and four sons were born to the marriage, of
whom but two are living. Two sons and a daughter blessed the
second marriage. Mr. Spaulding enlisted in the War of 1812. Hi-
land J. Spaulding was born October 16. 1841. attended school in Ver-
mont and in Dane count}' and was employed in Token as a clerk for
three years. April 17, 1861. he enlisted under the call for three

830 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

months troops as a private in Company E of the First Regiment Wis-
consin Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until mustered out
August 29, 1861. He participated in the battle of Falling Waters.
After his return from the front he purchased a farm of one hundred
and twenty acres in the town of Vienna and there resided until 1895.
Fortv acres were added to the property during that time and many
improvements made. In 1895, Mr. Spaulding moved to the village of
Windsor and was appointed postmaster. Mr. Spaulding is a Repub-
lican in his political affiliations and has held the office of teasurer of
the town of Vienna for seven years, chairman of the town board for
four vears and has been school clerk for sixteen years. In 1893, he
represented the district in the state legislature and is now serving his
second term as supervisor at Windsor. November 15, 1863, he mar-
ried Miss Cornelia Farwell, who was born in Vermont, March 4, 1842,
daughter of James Farwell, who brought his family to the town of
Windsor in 1846 and there spent the residue of his life. Mr. and Mrs.
Spaulding have had two children ; Arthur, the oldest son. married
Miss Bird Fisher, of Illinois, and is engaged in farming in Minnesota,
and Charles W.. the second son, died at the age of seven years. The
family is prominent in the Congregational church. Mr. Spaulding is
a member of the Masonic order and of the Madison branch of the
G. A. R.

George A. Speckner, retired, who makes his home at 7 North
Franklin street, was born in Bohemia, Germany, July 18, 1829. His
parents were Joseph and Anna (Houswitz) Speckner, natives of Ger-
many. The father was a miller, who died in the old country at the
age of seventy-five. The mother also passed away in the Fatherland
in 1852. George A. Speckner was one of two children. A sister,
Mrs. John Rhode, died a few years ago. He received his education
in Germany and in 1852 served nine months in the army. In 1854 he
came to America, landing in New York on October 7. For nine
months he worked in Ashville, N. C, and then started for Madison.
The trip from Charleston. S. C, to Lexington was made on foot, and
from there was by way of Cincinnati, Ohio, Chicago and Milwaukee,
by rail arriving in Madison July 18, 1855. Here he was employed as
a clerk in the store of Samuel Klauber for some six or seven years.
Then he was employed as upholsterer in the state capitol for nearly
fourteen years. Following his capitol employment he did odd jobbs
of upholstering and carpet laying, until his retirement. In 1859 he
married Miss Sophia Brecknar, a native of Germany. Her parents
died across the water, where one brother still resides M'r. and Mrs.
Speckner have had eight children, of whom five are living, — Joseph L.r

BIOGRAPHICAL. 831

a railway employe living at Joliet, 111.; Anna M., wife of E. H. Nebel,
a barber of Madison; George L., a photographer in the employ of
Hon. Joseph C. Schubert; Snsan, wife of George W. Levis, a land
agent with offices in Miadison; Frances, wife of John C. Frien. Madi-
son agent of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway. Edward
died at the age of nineteen, and Frank at the age of fourteen. The
other child died in infancy. Mr. Speckner is one of the respected
pioneers of Madison. He came to Madison early enough to become
acquainted with the hardships with which the early life of the city was
fraught and has lived to see Madison grow into one of the most beauti-
ful and cultured cities of the west.

Ransford W. Speer of the town of Rutland, is a well-known far-
mer of American birth and ancestry. His father, John D. Speer,
was born near Newark, N. Y., and went to New York state with
his parents when a boy. There he grew up and learned the black-
smith's trade. He married Miss Maria Johnson of Monroe county,
N. Y. and together the young couple went to Washtenaw county,
Mich., leaving their home there to come to Rutland in 1854. A
farm of one hundred and twenty acres was bought in section 32 and
Mr. Speer started a blacksmith shop. They joined the First Bap-
tist Church of Union, Wis. Ten children were born to them, of
whom four are living; Jane married John Hutchinson, Ouincy,
Mich.; Maria in Columbus, Ohio; Harriet, in Janesville, Wis.; and
Ransford. The father died in January, 1888, aged eighty-four years,
and the mother died in 1899, aged ninety-three. Ransford was the
youngest son and was born February 26, 1844, at Lodi, Mich., came
to Wisconsin when he was eight years old and attended the Rut-
land schools. He learned the blacksmith's trade at his father's
forge, and, like his brothers, became a skilled workman. The du-
ties of the farm have, however, always occupied his time, and he
lived on the old homestead and took care of his parents as their
years advanced, and he now owns the old homestead and has added
to it until he has a fine farm of two hundred and thirty-five acres.
In December, 1866, he married Miss Sarah R. Colburn, daughter of
Hobart and Catherine A. (Witt) Colburn, the former a native of
Putney, N. H., and the latter of Wilmington, Vt. They came to
Rutland in 1847 and later lived in Brooklyn. They were among
the early settlers of Rutland and took up government land. Mr.
Colburn is now a member of her daughter Sarah's family, her hus-
band having died May 28, 1888 aged sixty- seven years. Mr. and
Mrs. Speer have had eight children. Elvira, the oldest, died; Wal-
ter C, is a watchman at the State Institute for the Blind at Janes-

S3-2 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

ville ; Grace married William Pratt of Stoughton ; Lewis, Glenn,
Arthur, Dora and Edith E., reside at home with their parents.
Glenn is a member of the organization of Beavers of Brooklyn,
Wis. Mr. Speer is a Republican but has never been an active poli-
tician. The family belong to the Congregational church.

George W. Spencer, a leading baker of Madison whose place of
business is at 607 University Avenue, was born in Milwaukee, Jan-
uary 11, 1854. His parents, James and Sarah (Southwell) - Spencer,
the former born in Lewis county. New York state, and the latter in
England, came to Milwaukee in 1837, one year after the organization
of the territory of Wisconsin. The father's vocation was that of a
harness-maker and he followed it all his life. After spending a few
years in Palmyra he brought his family to Madison in 1859 and re-
mained in that city the rest of his life, his death occurring in 1904 in
his eighty-seventh year. George W. Spencer received his education
in the Madison schools, and has the distinction of having been one of
the first pupils in the old fourth ward school building, Upon the
completion of his studies he found employment in the old New Eng-
land bakery and served out his apprenticeship there. In 1894 he
entered business for himself at 316 State street, remaining in that lo-
cation four years, and then removing to 457 West Gilman street. In
1906 he purchased a lot on University avenue and erected a building
in which he has since been carrying on his business. That his work
and output is excellent is amply evidenced by the increase of his bus-
iness from year to' year. The shop is a model of cleanliness and neat-
ness, two essentials which a refined patronage demands. In politics
Mr. Spencer is a stanch Republican and in his religious affiliations is
identified with the Methodist Episcopal church. In April 7, 1884 he
married Miss M(ary Marky, a native of Copenhagen, N. Y., and a
daughter of Christopher Marky. Mrs. Spencer was left an orphan
when eight years old. There are two children in the family -George
and Ella May. Mr. Spencer is a member of the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows and his wife of the daughter of Rebekah.

John Coit Spooner, senior United States senator from Wisconsin,
is the brilliant descendent of a family which has produced soldiers
and statesmen. His forbears came from England in 1637 and settled
in Dartmouth, Mass., whence they spread to other settlements along
the New England coast. They were prominent in colonial affairs
and were soldiers in the French and Indian wars. His great-grand-
father Philip, with his brother, Michael, attained distinction in the War
<»f the Revolution. The mother of John C. was Lydia Lord Coit. a
daughter of Hon. Roger Coit, of Plainfield, Conn.; she was of Welsh

BIOGRAPHICAL. 833

descent, and her people were also among the earliest New England
settlers. Like the Spooners, her ancestors were distinguished soldiers,
both in the Revolution and in the War of 1812. The father of John C.
was Philip Loring Spooner, for many years a distinguished member of
the early Wisconsin bar, who differed somewhat from his predeces-
sors, in that he was unambitious, except as a lawyer, was of a retiring
disposition, and was essentially a man of peace. John C.'s uncle, Ben-
jamin, on the other hand, was full of fire, and a gallant soldier both
in the Mexican War and in the War of the Rebellion. John C. was
born January 6, 1843, at Lawrenceburg, Ind., and came to Madison,
Wisconsin, with his parents and two brothers and a sister, in June,
1859. After attending the city schools of Madison for a time, he en-
tered the University of Wisconsin at the age of seventeen. Here he
was an apt student, but was especially noted as one of the best de-
baters in the famous, old Hesperian literary society. He was eager to
enlist in the earlier years of the Civil War, but his father kept him to
his studies until May, 1864, when he helped him to raise a company
under the one hundred-day call, and young Spooner, declining a com-
mission, went out as a private in Company D, Fortieth Regiment,
a regiment largely composed of college students and professors.
Meanwhile the University authorities, as a reward for patriotism,
agreed to graduate those members of his class who enlisted before
their course was quite completed. On his return in September, he
again enlisted, for "three years or the war," and went forth as captain
of Company A, Fiftieth Regiment, which was first detailed at Fort
Leavenworth, and then in the northwest to quell Indian outbreaks
in the Sioux country. Fie was brevetted major, March 13, 1865, and
was mustered out June 12, 1866. His title of colonel, by which he is
often known, was given to him while serving as private and military
secretary to Governor Fairchild, to which position he was appointed
in January, 1867. In 1868 he was appointed quartermaster-general
of the state and served two years, with the rank of brigadier- general,
and in 1869-70 was assistant attorney-general under Charles R. Gill
and Stephen S. Barlow. On the advice of his father, who feared lest
he be drawn away from his profession into politics by the seductive
influence of public office, he abandoned the public service, removed to
Hudson, Wis., and devoted himself exclusively for many years to the
law. He soon acquired a lucrative practice, and his fame as a coun-
selor and advocate extended into many of the neighboring states.
In addition to* his large general practice, he soon became the attorney
for the West Wisconsin and the North Western Railwav companies;
53- — iii

834 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

when these two roads were merged to form the Chicago, St. Paul,
Minneapolis & Omaha, he became the general counsel of the new
company. His greatest service was rendered in behalf of the Uni-
versity of Wisconsin, drafting and pressing to final passage a bill
levying a general tax to be added annually forever to the University
fund income. The precedent thus established was followed until
recent years when the legislature saw fit to again return to' the practice
of making annual appropriations for its support. Impartial recog-
nition of his signal service in behalf of the University, — a service
which gave it a settled income and started it on its great period of
prosperity and growth, he was made a regent in 1882, and served
with great fidelity until February, 1884. In this connection it may
be also mentioned that the University conferred on him the degree of
A. M. in 1869, and that of LU. D. in 1894. This single term in the
legislature was Mr. Spooner's sole connection with politics while at
Hudson, — except to* take the stump for his friends and to attend con-
ventions in their behalf, — until he was elected United States senator in
1885. He served his connection with the Omaha, May 5, 1884, when
the Vanderbilt interests had secured control of the road and were ask-
ing him to bring a suit for $1,200,000 against Messrs. Flower, Dows,
and Porter, stockholders in the road and his personal friends and
clients. After his resignation he successfully resisted the suit in their
behalf. Mr. Spooner took a pr ..minent part in the Blaine-Cleveland
campaign of 1884. and has ever since taken a leading part in the coun-
sels of the Republican party, and has also achieved a national reputa-
tion as a political orator. His election to the United States senate
over General Fairchild in his own party, and in opposition to General
E. S. Bragg, the Democratic nominee, was a great personal triumph,
proving as it did how highly the people regarded his achievemtnts
at the bar and the forum. The people summoned him as the ablest
and bravest of the younger generation of Republicans to represent
them in the senate, at a time when an able, aggressive, eloquent and
resourceful debater was needed to cope with the Democratic leaders.
A Democratic administration was soon to be inaugurated in the per-
son of President Cleveland. When he took his seat in the senate, his
reputation as an orator and a jurist of wide attainments had preceded
him. and he soon acquired a place in that body usually attained, if
ever, only after years of honorable service. On the expiration of his
term of service he returned to the state, and soon moved to Madison
from Hudson, to be near his sons in the State University. He formed
tlic partnership of Spooner, Sanborn & Kerr, later Spooner, Sanborn

BIOGRAPHICAL. 835

& Spooner, and important cases came to him at once as though there
had been no- interruption in his practice. It was during this period
that he conducted to a successful issue the important gerrymander
cases for his party in the Supreme court of the State. On the expira-
tion of the term of Senator William F. Vilas, who had been elected
his successor in 1891, Senator Spooner in turn succeeded Vilas, taking
his seat in 1897; he was elected to succeed himself at the end of his
term, and is now serving (his third term in the senate. His steady
rise to leadership during these three terms is familiar to all the people
of the country. During both the McKinley and the Roosevelt ad-
ministrations he has been the trusted adviser of both Executives and
their repeated champion and spokesman on the floor of the senate.
His profound knowledge of the law, his gift for constructive states-
manship, his splendid oratory, courage and conservatism, and his in-
comparable power in running debate have firmly established his repu-
tation in the hearts of the people. Senator Spooner nominated Gover-
nor Rusk at Chicago in 1888; seconded the nomination of Harrison
at Minneapolis in 1892. The same year he led the forlorn hope of
his party in the state, as its candidate for governor, largely reducing
the Democratic majority. September 10, 1868, Mr. Spooner was most
happily married to Miss Annie E. Main, of Madison, Wis., a lady of
fine musical talent and great refinement. They have had four sons,
one of whom, John C. died in 1881. Those living are Charles Philip,
now a lawyer of Seattle, Willett Main, an attorney of Milwaukee, and
Philip L., living with his parents. Their home life is almost ideal.
Mr. Spooner has retained many of the tastes and enthusiasms of his
early years, and is one of those men who never grow old. He is still
a boy with his boys, has a young man's fondness for athletics and for
all the outdoor sports, and loves the woods, and the streams and the
mountains. Clean and temperate in private life, true to his friends, a
man of absolute honor and integrity, modest, unresentful and gen-
erous at all times, an able jurist and a great statesman, he reflects
honor on the state and nation which have placed him in high place.

Hon. Philip Loring Spooner, first insurance commissioner of
Wisconsin, and ex-mayor of Madison, Wis., is the second of the dis-
tinguished sons of Philip Loring and Lydia (Coit) Spooner. He
comes of fine old New England stock; both his paternal great-grand-
father. Philip, and his maternal great-grandfather, Samuel Coit,
rose to prominence in the War of the Revolution, the latter being a
colonel, and known as a fearless and terrific fighter. Numerous
Spooners and Coits fought in the war of 1812 and, in fact, their

836 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

names adorn the roll of honor in all the prominent wars of America.
His maternal grandfather was the Hon. Roger Coit, of Painfield,
Conn. ; his father. Judge Spooner, was eminent for his great learning
and attainments, and was cne of that brilliant galaxy' of lawyers,
which rendered the early bar of Madison famous throughout the north-
west. He is remembered as a man of high Christian character, a
quiet and unobtrusive citizen, an exceptionally able and good man.
He died in 1887 at the age of seventy-seven, when appropriate pro-
ceedings were held in the circuit court for Dane county, in the United
States district court and in the supreme court of the state, in which
his brethren in the legal profession united in sincere ecomiums upon
his sterling traits of character. Mr. and Mrs. Spooner became the
parents of the following children : John C, of whom individual
mention is made in this volume; Philip L., our subject; Roger C, of
Chicago, 111., where he has charge of the Indian warehouse ; Mary
Coit. wife of Dr. James W. Vance of Madison, Wis. Philip L., Jr.,
was born at Lawrenceburg, Dearborn county, Ind., January 13,
1847; ne came to Madison, Wis., with his parents in June, 1859. He
was educated in the high school and the University of Wisconsin, an. 1
in 1867 engaged in the business of fire and life-insurance. He con-
tinued in this line of work until 1878, when the legislature created
the office of insurance commissioner, and Mr. Spooner was appointed
as the first incumbent of the new office, and re-appointed in 1880. It
became an elective office by chapter 300, laws of 1881, and Mr.
Spooner was again chosen. He made an able and efficient public
servant, and filled the office with credit to himself and fidelity to the
public interests from April 1, 1878, to January 3, 1887. He has also
served in various other public capac'ties, having represented the
fourth ward in the common council of Madison, and as mayor of the
city for one term, 1880-81. He was for many years identified with
the traction interests of the city of Madison, as principal stockholder
and president of the Madison Traction Co. Those who knew his
father well say that the son has many of the finer characteristics of
his parent. He is quiet, unobtrusive and d'gnified in manner, courte-
ous to all. of absolute integrity and simple habits. He has been a
generous contributor to many of Madison's public enterprises, and
his spirt of quiel liberality is well illustrated in his recent unsolicited
gift of a fine site for a Woman's Club building in Madison. Mr.
Spooner has never married.

John Sprengel, son of Andrew and Rosa (Stutcke) Sprengel.
natives of Germany, — the former horn in 1812, — came with his
parents to Wisconsin in 1857. They settled first in Dodge county.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 837

and Airs. Spengel died in Watertown in 1859, and is buried in Jeffer-
son count\- ; her husband came to Dane where he died in 1867. Of
their six children three are living. Air. Sprengel was a farmer by oc-
cupat'on and a Democrat in politics; all the family belong- to the
Catholic church. The subject of this sketch was born in West Prus-
sia, August 14. 1840. His early education was obtained in Germany,
and he was self-educated in English. He was reared on a farm, fol-
lowed this occupation for somo years, and still does to some extent,
although he learned the trade of a carpenter and worked at it for
fourteen years. He makes Irs home in Sun Prairie, where he owns
his home surrounded by a tract of twelve acres. Air. Sprengel
served in the C'vil War, enlisting in the Wisconsin First Heavy Artil-
lery, in 1864, and remaining until mustered out at the close of hostil-
ities. He commemorates that service by membership in the G. A. R.
He belongs to the Democratic party and has acted as street commis-
sioner for Sun Prairie for four years. He married, January, 1867,
AFss Margaret Yolkcr. born in Bavaria, Germany, of Bavarian
parents, John and Barbara Volker. who came to Wisconsin about
i860, and who both died in Dane county. Air. and Airs. Sprengel
have had six children, Anna, George, Theodore, Emma, Barbara, Leo.
John E. Stanford, a retired business man of the town of Black
Earth, was born at Franklin county, Alass., February 20, 1831.
He is one of twelve children born to Ebenezer- and Alary (Hawks)
Stanford, both natives of Alassachusetts, the former 01 Boston and
the latter of Franklin county. Ebenezer Stanford was a farmer
all through life. He was a believer in the principles of the old
Whig party, but was never an aspirant for public office. Aloses
Stanford, the grandfather of John E., was a soldier in the colonial
army during the Rovolut'onary War. John E. Stanford was edu-
cated in the common schools of his native state and at the age of
eighteen began learning the trade of currier. He worked at this
trade for several years, three of which were in Jacksonville, Ver-
mont, and in 1856 located at Alenasha. Wis., where he worked in
a chair factory for about two years. In the spring of i858 he came
to I '.lack Earth and engaged in the grain and produce business, in
which he continued until 1ST-"), except the time he was in the army
during the Civil War. He enlisted in February, 1865, as a private
in Company A, Forty-ninth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers and
was mustered in as sergeant. He remained in service until the
close of hostilities and was mustered out in Alissouri. August, 1865.
He was also associated with D. D. Logan in the mercantile business
for some time. Since 1901 he has been retired from active pur-

S:;s HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

suits. In August, 1856. he married Olive, daughter of Reuben and
Olive Hatch, the former a native of Halifax, Yt, and the latter of
Dover, Vt. No children were born to this marriage and Mrs. Stan-
ford died in August. 1004. Mr. Stanford is a Republican in his
political affiliations and takes a commendable interest in public
affairs. He is well known in the community where he lives and is
universally respected.

Carlos Stebbins, of Waunakee, belongs to one of the pioneer New
England families whose occupation . of Wisconsin in the early days
helped to lay a good foundation for the subsequent upbuild 'ng of a
great commonwealth. His father, Joseph Stebbins, was born in
Bakersfield, Franklin county, Yt., in 1829; his mother, Mary Jane
( Martin) Stebbins, in 1833. On coming west, a farm of one hun-
dred and sixty acres, in Springfield township, was first elected as a
home, but soon after the family moved to Hyer's Corners, where
Mr. Stebbins established a wagon-shop, and also built up a thriving
business in a grocery store, whose combined interests occupied his
attention for sixteen years. Later in life he returned to the business
of farming and purchased one hundred and seventy-three acres, four
miles west of the village of Waunakee. At present he has retired
from active participation in business affairs, enjoying in his decl'ning
years the results of the efforts of his younger life. He had three
children two of whom, Arline and Emmoii, still reside with their
parents, and Carlos. The last was born in the town of Springfield,
December 17, 1862, and received his education in the common school.
He pursued the business of farming until he was nearly forty years
of age. In 1901, he received one of the first appointments as rural
mail carrier from Waunakee, serving- on route No. 2, in which occu-
pation he is at present employed. Both father and son are independ-
ent in politics. The former served as justice of the peace for eight,
and the latter as constable for seven years. On January 3, 1884, Mr.
Carlos Stebbins was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Kelly, of
Walworth, daughter of Mjichael Kelly, also mentioned in this publi-
cation-
James E. Steele, a prominent and progressive farmer and stock-
raiser of Dane township, is one of the native sons of the county
who are reflecting credit upon themselves by their industry and
public spirit. The family is of old Empire state stock, the grand-
father. James Steele, who is given a more extended mention else-
where in this volume, having migrated to Wisconsin and taken up
his abode in Dane comity as early as 1856. Robert Steele, the
father of him whose name introduces this memoir, was born in

BIOGRAPHICAL. 839

Delaware county. X. Y., November 18, 1832, and hence was but
sixteen years old when with his parents he became a resident of
the Badger state. He received his education in the common
schools of his native county, and also attended the primitive in-
stitutions of learning" in Dane county after the removal of the
family here. Upon reaching manhood he decided upon farming" as
his life's vocation, and in 1856 settled upon the farm which is now
owned by his sons, and there began to literally hew a home out of
the wilderness. He first bought one hundred and sixty acres, but
by industry and frugality he added to his possessions until he
owned three hundred and twenty acres of finely-improved farm
land. In addition to general farming he devoted considerable at-
tention to the breeding of short-horn cattle and Poland China hogs,
and met with gratifying success in all that pertains to a farmer's
•career. The call of the general government in the early 60's for
men to defend her honor served to draw the attention of Robert
Steele away from the peaceful pursuits of the husbandman, and on
August 27. 1862, he offered his services to his country and became a
member of Confpany H, Twenty-third Regiment Wisconsin Infan-
try, being honored with the position of second lieutenant of the
company. A few months later, on December 10, 1862, he was pro-
moted to the position of first lieutenant, and served in that capacity
until June 30, 1864, when he resigned on account of illness. Re-
covering his health he assisted in organizing the Forty-second regi-
ment of AYisconsin infantry, and on September 7, 1864, was again
mustered into the United States military service as first lieutenant
of Company C. In that position he served until the close of the
war. and was mustered out on June 20, 1865. Air. Steele was in the
engagement of Chicakasaw Bluff and took part in the attack on Ar-
kansas Post, on the Arkansas river ; also in the bombardment of
Grand Gulf, and the battles of Port Gibson, Champion's Hill, Black
River Bridge, and through the entire siege of Vicksburg. witness-
ing, at the distance of a half mile, the meeting" between Generals
Grant and Pemberton when they agreed upon the terms of sur-
render. The war being over, Robert Steele resumed his peaceful
occupation, which he followed during the remainder of his active
career, the only variation being the time devoted to public affairs
in capacities to which he was called by the votes of his neighbors.
He filled with credit the office of chairman of the town board of
Dane township, and also that of assessor, being the incumbent of
each for several years. In politics he was a stanch Republican,
and in religious affairs he was a member of the Methodist Episco-

fc40 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

pal church For over half a century. Robert Steele was twice mar-
ried, the first union being with Aliss Rhoda A. liower, a native of
Orange county. \. Y.. were she was born March 23, 1835. Four
children were born to this union, viz: John Wesley, a resident of
Lodij Wis..; Anna Josephine, deceased; Robert Benson, a teacher in
the schools of Nashville, Tenn.. and William W., who is engaged in
the lumber business at Lodi. Wis. The first wife died on February
2, L864, and on August 7, 1866, Air. Steele was married to Miss
Mary Hanley, a native of Limerick county, Ireland, where she was
born in 184)3. To this union there were born three children : Daisy,
who is the wife of Dr. G. H. Irwin, of Lodi, Wis. ; James E., who
is the subject of this sketch, and Samuel Hanley, who is also a
farmer, and who owns a one-half interest in the old homestead farm
of three hundred and sixty acres. Robert Steele died November
19, 1904, and his wife on February 18, 1905, on the same day of the
wreek and the same hour of day. James E. Steele was born upon
the farm where he now resides, in Dane township, June 8, 1873,
grew to manhood and has always lived in that locality- Fie re-
ceived his education in the common schools of the vicinity, and up-
on reaching manhood followed in the footsteps of his father, adopt-
ing the agricultural industry as his occupation. He and his
brother, Samuel Hanley 'Steele, are the owners of three hundred and
sixty acres of land, which is finely improved, and they are breeders
of short-horn cattle and Shropshire sheep, being extensive feeders
and cattle raisers. James E. Steele was married February 9, 1905,
to Miss Abbie E. Loper, daughter of John C. and Catherine (Loef-
fler) Loper. the father being a native of Mecklenburg, Germany,
born in 1846, and who came with his parents to America in 1852,
locating first in Rochester N. Y., and in 1855 coming to Dane
county, Wis. During the war Mr. Loper served in the Second
Wisconsin Infantry, and was wounded at the battle of Gainesville,
Va. Mr. and Mrs. Steele have one daughter (an infant, unnamed
at this writing). In politics Mr. Steele gives allegiance to the
Republican part)-, and he and his wife are attendants of the Metho-
dist Episcopal church.

Samuel D. Steele, (deceased), was born June 23, 1845, in Dela-
ware county, X. Y. His parents, — James Steele, horn in Delaware
county, X. Y.. January 4, 1805, and Jane (Corven) Steele, born in
Scotland, in 1807, — came to Dane and located on the farm now owned
by the widow of their son Samuel, in 1848; here he died February
4. 1887, and his wife May 16, 1889. He was a man who was actively
interested in politics and served as justice of the peace. His political

BIOGRAPHICAL. 841

and church affiliations with the Republican party and the Methodist
church, respect! vely, have been perpetuated by his family. He and
his wife had a family of seven, five sons and two daughters. The
ancestrv is Irish, the paternal grandparents, Robert and Nancy (Dun-
shee) Steele, having- both been natives of Armagh county, Ireland,
who came to New York in 1 79 1 , and were married in Courtwright,
Delaware county, in 1802; on the ship on which they came one hun-
dred passengers died of yellow fever. They made their new home
in New York and died in that state. The subject of this sketch re-
ceived his education in the common schools of Dane township ; he
followed the occupation of farming and became one of the leading-
farmers of the community, owning a large tract of five hundred and
twenty-four acres. He has also been largely interested in the breed-
ing of short-horn cattle and Poland China hogs. Miss Estella Mar-
tin, born at S tough ton, May 7, 1854, became his wife December 25,
1876. She is the daughter of Abrami C. and Ada (North) Martin,
who came to Stoughton about 1848; the former a native of Ver-
mont, born on November 19, 1824, and the latter of Essex county,
N. Y., born June 16, 1829. Mrs. Martin died in Springfield, May,
1879, and her husband has retired from the active life of a farmer
and makes his home in Lodi They were both members of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church, and Mr. Martin is a Republican. To Samuel
and Estella (Martin) Steele were born three children, Ada North,
who was educated at the Lodi high school, of which she is a gradu-
ate; she is now the wife of Henry Gluth of Columbia county; Leon-
ard Martin, educated at Lodi high school and Northwestern business
college of Madison ; he iives on a farm with his mother. Lela E. is
a student of Lodi high school. The subject of this sketch was a res-
ident of Lodi at the time of his death, which occurred December 6,
1896. The Steele family is one of sturdy integrity, exemplifying the
best characteristics of true American manhood.

Halle Steensland, one of the prominent Norse citizens of Madi-
son, and for many years vice-consul of Sweden and Norway, was
born June 4. 1832, at Sandeid, near Stavanger, Norway, son of Halle
H. Steensland, a farmer, who was for many years a non-commis-
sioned officer in the regular army of lvs native land. His mother's
name was Ingeborg Khudstatter, who after her husband's death,
came to America and made her home with her son Halle until her
death. Mir. Steensland's early years were spent on the farm, and as
a clerk in Stavanger. When a little past his majority he came to
America in 1854, and had but $10 when he reached Chicago. He
came to Madison in 1855, where he first clerked in a store, an3 then

S42 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

embarked in business for himself; later he took an active part in or-
ganizing the Hekla Fire Insurance Co., and became its secretary and
treasurer, and later its president. When he severed his connection
with this company, he organized the Savings Loan & Trust Co., of
which he is now the president, and his son, E. B. Steensland, is its
secretary. Under his careful management the company is doing a
large and constantly growing business. Mr. Steensland was married
in Madison to Miss Sophia Halvorsdater in 1857, and six children,
five sons and a daughter, were the fruits of the union. Two sons
and a daughter have been graduated from the University of Wiscon-
sin, and one son, Mortem M., from Luther College, Decorah, Iowa.
MV. Steensland is a Republican in politics, and has always taken an
active interest in political matters. At present he is a member of
the city council In 18.72 he was appointed vice-consul in Wisconsin
for Xorway and Sweden and held that position up to the dissolution
of the united kingdom in 1905. Both Mr. Steensland and family are
earnest members of the Lutheran church. The library at St. Olaf's
College, Xorthfield, Minn., is one of Mr. Steensland's noteworthy
gifts to the cause of education. He has traveled abroad extensively,
and is recognized as one of Madison's substantial business men. He
has taken a keen interest in public affairs, and his splendid gift to
Mad'son. known as the Steensland bridge, is marked by a spirit of
broad liberality.

Frank Stegerwald, senior member of the firm of Stegerwald &
Co., well known contractors of East Bristol, Wis., was born in
Blooming Grove, Dane county. Wis., on November 5, 1854. His
parents, Michael Stegerwald and Barbara Wolf, were natives of
Bavaria. Germany, and immigrated singly to this country. They
were married in Ohio and soon thereafter started farther west,
settling in Bristol in 1851. Later they spent two years at Bloom-
ing Grove, where the subject of this sketch was born. Then they
returned to their former home, taking up their residence on the
farm where they spent the remainder of their lives. Four sons
were born to them, of whom only one. Frank, survives. The father
died in is:,; and Mrs. Stegerwald married twice after his death.
Her second husband was Joseph Hausner. There were three chil-
dren from this marriage, only one of whom is living. Her third
husband was Herman Ritter by whom she had two children. Mrs.
Stegerwald died December 3, 1895, at the family homestead.
I rank Stegerwald was educated both in the parochial schools and
in the common schools of Bristol and in his early manhood he
worked on the farm. Thjrty-two years ago he learned the car-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 843

penter's trade and since that time he has either built or had a hand
in the building of many of the most important structures erected in
his own and in neighboring towns. Among these buildings are the
Tremont House at Columbus, and the Hotel Green at Sun Prairie.
In 1890 he built the Catholic church at East Bristol and five years
later the handsome parochial school house which is connected with
this church. He also built two churches at Sun Prairie, the largest
store in Columbus as well as the building which houses the First
National bank of that place. Much of the work on the brewery
plant at Columbus was done under his direction. In politics he is
a Democrat and he has served his party as side supervisor at Bris-
tol. Like the other members of his family he is a member of the
Catholic church at East Bristol. He was married on September 5,
1876, to Miss Philomene Goetzinger, who was born in Balen, Ger-
many, on February 5, 1856, her parents being Alois Goetzinger and
Therese (Reffel) Goetzinger, both natives of Germany. The par-
ents of Mrs. Stegerwald came to Baltimore in 1856 and six years
later came as far west as Milwaukee. After three years' residence
in this latter place they moved to Bristol where the wife died in
August, 1886. To Mr. and Mrs. Frank Stegerwald the following
children have been born : Ida. Anna, Emma, Frank A., educated in
the common schools and at Sacred Heart College, Watertown, now
a member of the firm of Stegerwald & Co., Mary, Flora, Julia (de-
ceased), Hattie, Amalia, Edward, (deceased), Oscar (deceased),
Frederick.

Joseph Anton Steinle, retired, living at 1610 Hudson avenue, Mad-
ison, was born in Masenbach-housen, Oberamt, Brackenheim, King-
dom of Wurtemberg, Germany, July 7. 1838. With his parents,
Joseph and Francisca (Keohnle) Steinle, he came to this country in
1840, and went to Lancaster, Fairfield county, Ohio, w'hxh was his
hojne until June. 1846, when he removed to Milwaukee. For a num-
ber of years Mr. Steinle attended the public schools of Milwaukee
and for four years was employed in a soda-water factory. In Febru-
ary, 1856, he came to Madison and entered the employ of Caspar
Mayer, remaining until 1876 when he started in business
for himself. After winning a competence sufficient to keep him
comfortably the rest of his days, Mr. Steinle retired several years ago
and purchased a home in Elms'de, a suburb to the east o1 Madison.
Before his retirement he filled many offices of public trust. For sev-
eral years he was one of the representatives of the old third ward in
the city council: was a number of the fire department from the time
of its organization until 1875. and at one time was assistant engineer

844 'HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

of tin.' same. He is identified with the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows and the Druids, and in 1878-79 was president of Madison,
No, 2, Relief Association. On October 20, i860, Mr. Steinle married
.Miss Dorothea Margaretta Langeneckhardt born January 9, 1838,
at Wilgersdorff, Kreis Siegen, Province of Westphalia, Prussia.
This nnimi has been blessed with nine children, seven of whom are
living. The nanus of the children, with the dates of birth follow:
Lizzie. August 7, 1861. died October 9, 1862; Joseph Edward. July
5. 1863; George Anton, September 10. 1865; Emihe Therissa, August
14, 1867; William, October 6," 1869; an unnamed infant, born Septem-
ber 18,1871', died six days later; Josephine, October 12, 1872; Cath-
erine, October 8, 1874, and Leo, July 7, 1879. Leo is the representa-
tive of the Gisholt machine company in Cologne, Germany. His wife
died there some time ago. For the past eight years Air. Steinle has
enjoyed the quiet and rest of a suburban life after many years of
earnest and honest toil.

William Stephenson, member of the prosperous hardware firm of
Stephenson & Studeman of Madison, whose store is at 401 West
Gilman street, is a native of Norway. He was born in that country
November 19, 1843, and when but a mere lad came to America with
his parents, Ole and Martha Stephenson, locating in the Ole Bull
colony of Pennsylvania. When nine years of age Mr. Stephenson
removed with his parents to Chicago and in 1854 came to Madison.
1 1 ere the father worked at his trade of carpenter and many of the
buildings are monuments of his skill. Ole Stephenson died at the
age of fifty-eight and his wife some years later at the advanced age
of eighty-three. They were both members of the Norwegian
Lutheran church. Of their six children there are but two sur-
vivors.— the subject "of this sketch and Martin (familiarly known
as "Tony"), a printer residing in Madison. William Stephenson
received his education in the capital city and learned his trade,
that of tinsmith, in the same place. He started life for himself in
1859. \\ lien the war cloud was dimming the horizon of national
unity Mr. Stephenson enlisted (in October. 1862,) in Company A.
I wenty-third Wisconsin Infantry. He was a participant in the
battles of Arkansas Post, Port Gibson, Champion's Hill, in the siege
of Vieksburg. the Red river campaign, the capture of Mobile and
the engagement at Saline Cross-Roads. On July 4, 1865, he re-
ceived an honorable discharge at Mobile and returned to Madison.
He had served about three years in all, but was never wounded or
captured nor was it necessary for him to be absent from service
because of illness a single day. Apparently he is none the worse

BIOGRAPHICAL. . 845

for the exposure and fatigues incident to an army career. With
the same enthusiasm with which he donned the uniform of blue
Mr. Stephenson returned to his work. He continued business as a
tinsmith until 1894, when he entered into the present partnership.
He is not politically ambitious and although often urged by his
friends to become a candidate for office, has always steadfastly de-
clined. On September 28, 1870, he was united in marriage to
Frances A., daughter of Nicholas and Ruth (Stark) Smith. Mrs.
Smith was a direct lineal descendant of Mollie Stark of Revolution-
ary War fame. Mr. Smith died before the Civil War and his wife
some forty years later. Mrs. Stephenson is a native of Madison
and is the mother of four children. Alice E., is the wife of
Charles H. Cronk of Chicago; Harriet F. and Martha M. are teach-
ing; and Louis D. is a student in the Madison high school. The
daughters are all graduates from the University of Wisconsin.
Mrs. Stephenson is a member of Grace Episcopal church of Madi-
son. Her husband is a member of the Knights of the .Maccabees
and of Lucius Fairchild post, Grand Army of the Republic.

Prof. John W. Sterling, prominently identified with the begin-
nings of the University of Wisconsin, and for many years its vice
president, was born in Wyoming county. Pa., July 17, 1816. His
earliest education was obtained in the common schools, and he then
atended an academy at Hamilton, N. Y., and one at Homer in the
same state. He then studied law for two years in the office of Judge
Woodard, at Wilkesbarre, Pa., but never entered on the practice,
though qualified. When twenty-one he experienced a des're for a
broader culture and entered the sophomore class of the College of
New Jersey (now Princeton University), and was graduated therefrom
in 1840. He served as principal of the Wilkesbarre Academy for one
year, and then began a course of study in the Theological Seminary
at Princeton, completing the course in 1844, and serving meanwhile as
a tutor in the College of New Jersey. He next served for a year as
a Presbyterian missionary in his native county, and came to Wiscon-
sin in 1846. He was at first professor of mathematics at Carroll Col-
lege, Wraukesha, but soon resigned, and taught school in Waukesha
until he was called to the University of Wisconsin, October 7, 1848.
Chancellor Barnard was then the nominal bead of the young institu-
tion, but gave it little of his time, and Professor Sterling was acting
chancellor. In 1865 he was elected vice-chancellor, and vice-presi-
dent in 1869, holding the latter office until the time of his death, March
0, 1885. His chair was that of mathematics, but like many of the
instructors during the early life of the University, he was called upon

846 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

to teach other branches, and he gave instruction in the branches of
natural philosophy and astronomy until 1874. He received the degree
of Ph. D. from Princeton in 1866, and the same year, that of LL. D
from Lawrence University, Appleton. In 1851, Professor Sterling
married Miss Harriet Dean, a native of Massachusetts, and a woman
of rare refinement and culture. Three children survive the union,
Grace, the wife of George L. Lindsley, of Portland, Oregon; Susan
Adelaide, assistant professor of German in the University of Wiscon-
sin; and Charles Gordon, an accomplished Presbyterian minister, now
located at Waterloo, la. Mrs. Sterling was long known as the
"mother" of the University.

A. T. Stevens, of Oregon, was born December 25, 1830, in Brad-
ford county, Pa. His parents were A. B. Stevens, a native of Connec-
ticut, and Lucy (Taylor) Stevens, who was born in New York. Mr.
Stevens was a farmer and moved to New York when the subject of
this sketch was about two years old; that remained their home until
their death. They had three children, A. T. Stevens; Luman, (de-
ceased); and C. G. Stevens of Albion, N. Y. Mr. Stevens received
his education in the town o<f Lima, N. Y., and started out for himself
when he was twenty-one years of age; when 'he was twenty-six, (1856)
he came to- Dane county and established himself on a farm in Rutland
township; on this farm of eighty-five acres he lived for over fifty years,-
putting upon it most of the improvements. About two years ago he
retired from active work and purchased a home in the village of Ore-
gon, although still retaining the ownership of his farm. He and his
wife, to whom he was married February 3, 1852, are members of the
Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Stevens was Miss Melissa Bixby,
daughter of George Bixby (deceased), who came to Rutland in 1852.
Mr. Stevens 'has always been actively interested in the affairs of his
community, having served as town clerk for the long period of twenty-
three years; he has also held the office of assessor and has served on the
school board; during the active life of those organizations, which be-
gan the agitation of those questions which have since become national
in their influence, he belonged to the Good Templars and to the
( rrange. In politics he is a Republican.

Breese J. Stevens. The law has ever called into the circle of its
devotees the brightest minds, the most gifted sons of the nation. The
keen intellect is sharpened by its clash with others as brilliant and
gains thereby an added strength and power. The most careful analy-
sis, closest reasoning and most logical thought-processes arc bought
into play, and the lawyer of ability, by reason of his strong intellectu-
ality, rises to leadership in thought and action. Among those whose

BIOGRAPHICAL. 847

life and services lent dignity and honor to the bar of the state of
Wisconsin was the subject of this memoir, who was for many years
recognized as one of the most brilliant and distinguished members
of his profession in the fair capital city of this commonwealth. The
name which he bore is one which has stood exponent of the most ster-
ling personal characteristics, the deepest appreciation of the rights
and privileges of citizenship in our great republic and one which r?as
been indissolubly identified with the annals of American history, in a
direct and collateral way, from the early colonial epoch. There have
been strong men anel true, as one generation has followed another
on to the stage of action, and new honors and new dignity were con-
ferred by him whose name initiates this paragraph. Through various
ancestral lines Mr. Stevens was allied to many distinguished families
of Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey. The original Amer-
ican ancestor in the agnatic line was Cyprian Stevens, who came
hither from London, England, and took' up his abode in trie colony
of Massachusetts. At Lancaster, that colony, in 1671, he married a
daughter of Major Simon Willard. On the maternal side Mr. Stev-
ens was of the fifth generation in direct descent from Sidney Breese,
who came to New York from Shrewsbury, England, about 1733.
He was buried in Trinity churchyard in 1767, and on the stone
which marks his last resting place, in the very heart of our national
metropolis, may today be read his quaint epitaph, written by himself
in his last illness. Major John Burrowes, a great-grandfather of Mr.
Stevens, was an officer in the Continental army during the War of
the Revolution and served under General Sullivan during the cam-
paign ag-ainst the Six Nations. The original manuscript journal
which he kept during that campaign is still in the possession of the
family. It is through him that descendants have hereditary member-
ship in the New Jersey chapter of the Society of the Cincinnati, of
which he was a charter member. Major Burrowes' father and his
father-in-law, Samuel Forman, were the original proprietors of Mi I-
dletown Point, New Jersey. Major Burrowes, then twenty-two years
of age, and his brother-in-law, Jonathan Forman, organized the first
New Jersey company to enlist in defense of the colonial cause in the
Revolutionary War, the company having been mustered in at the Bur-
rowes home. Here also occurred the raid of "The Greens," by Brit-
ish soldiers June 5, 1778, when an effort was made to capture Major
Burrowes. His young wife encountered an English trooper on the
staircase, and the dastardly soldier inflicted upon the defenseless wo-
man a sabre wound which later caused her death. Her daughter,
Helena Burrowes, with her uncle, General Jonathan Forman, and

848 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

his daughter (who became the mother of Governor Horatio Sey-
mour) made the journey from Middletown Point, New Jersey, to
Cazenovia, Xew York, in 1796. "A sloop was chartered for the jour-
ney up the Hudson and they were one week in reaching Albany,
whence they proceeded the rest of the way in the first 'top carriage'
that had ever passed west of Utica. Fourteen years later Helena Bur-
rowes, then Mrs. Samuel Sidney Breese, went back, after the birth
of her third child, to visit her New Jersey home, taking with her
her infant daughter, Elizabeth. They went from Albany to New
York in the sloop 'Oneida Chief,' and their return passage was taken
on the steamboat 'Robert Fulton,' which was still so great a wonder
that cannons were fired, flags raised and the docks everywhere filled
.with spectators gazing almost spellbound. When in her eightieth
year Mrs. Breese, in writing an account of the wonderful changes in
her day. said she had seen 'the making of the great Genesee turnpike
from old Fort Schuyler (Utica) to Buffalo, the making of the Erie
canal, the first horse cars, the building of the great New York Cen-
tral Railroad and the telegraph completed.'' Helena Burrowes be-
came the wife of Hon. Samuel Sidney Breese, a native of Philadel-
phia, where he was born in 1768, and a son of Judge Samuel Breese.
of Shrewsbury, New Jersey, who has served as a colonel in the Con-
tinental army. In 1789 Yale College conferred upon Samuel Sidney
Breese the honorary degree of Bachelor of Arts. He was one of the
pioneers of Cazenovia, having been the first practicing lawyer of
Madison county. New York. One of his sisters married Rev. Jed-
ediah Morse and became the mother of Samuel Finley Breese Mbrse.
the inventor of the telegraph. The Breese homestead in Oneida
county. New York, was built in 1813, the land being. deeded to the
family by the Oneida Indians, and the place wras named after a fa-
mous chief of that tribe, "Skenandoah." Elizabeth, daughter of
Samuel S. and Helena (Burrowes) Breese, married Hon. Augustus
C. Stevens and became the mother of Hon. Breese J. Stevens, to
whom tli is memoir is dedicated. It was from the home at Sconon-
doah, New York, that the three sons and one daughter were sent to
their various schools, Mrs. Stevens having returned to Sconondoah
from Michigan after the death of her husband. She died in 1889.
Breese J. Stevens was born at Sconondoah, Oneida county, New
York. March 22, 1834, and he died at his home in the city of Mad-
ison, Wisconsin, October 28, 1903, after four months' illness. Mr.
Stevens received his preliminarv educational discipline in the Oneida
and Whitesboro Academies and Cazenovia Seminary. In 1853 he
was graduated from Hamilton College, and three years later his

BIOGRAPHICAL. 849

alma mater conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. His
law studies were pursued in the office of Hon. Timothy Jenkins, of
Oneida Castle, Xew York, and under the preceptorship of the firm
of Graves & Wood, of Syracuse. In 1856 he came to Wisconsin to
look after the landed interests of his uncle, Sidney Breese, and later
he also took charge of those of Hon. Horatio Seymour, a kinsman.
He took up his residence in Madison and here entered upon the active
practice of his profession, his first partnership having been jvith J.
W. Johnson and H. M. Lewis. This alliance was of brief duration,
but the firm of Stevens & Lewis continued in practice from 1857 until
1868, when it was augmented by the admission of James M. Flower.
In 1870 the firm title became Stevens, Flower & Morris. When Mr.
Flower left Madison Mr. Stevens continued to be associated for a
number of years with W. A. P. Morris, who had been his college-
mate at Hamilton College. Later Hon. I. C. Sloan joined the firm,
and upon his retirement the firm name again became Stevens & Mor-
ris. Mr. Stevens at once assumed high rank at the bar of the state,
and his prestige was based on the most solid foundation of profes-
sional learning and acumen. He conducted some of the most import-
ant railroad, land-grant and water litigations ever brought before
the courts of Wisconsin and Michigan. He was attorney for the
trustees of the Fox & Wisconsin River Improvement Company on the
foreclosure of the trust mortgage, and from 1866 to 1880 he was
acting president or had official connection with the Green Bay & Mis-
sissippi Canal Company, continuing a director and attorney for that
corporation until the time of his death. He was general solicitor for
the Madison & Portage Railroad Company and attorney for
Wisconsin of the Illinois Central Railroad from the time of its ex-
tension into Wisconsin. Lie was a director of the Consumers' Gas
Company, of Chicago, and for fifteen years was attorney and manager
of the Michigan Land & Iron Company. From the time of its organ-
ization until his death he was a member of the directorate of the First
National Bank of Madison, and he was also president of the Madison
Land & Lumber Company and of the Monona Land Company. His
capitalistic interests were large, varied and important and he was dis-
tinctively a man of affairs. During the later tears of his life his law
business had almost entirely to do with corporation interests and the
major portion of his time and attention was demanded in the super-
vision or his private affairs. Mr. Stevens was stanch in his alle-
giance to the Democratic party but was never ambitious for politcal
office. He served as mayor of Madison in 1884. In 1891 Governor
George W. Peck appointed him a regent to the University of Wis-
54 — iii

850 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

cousin, and he continued to render efficient and valuable service in
this capacity until he was called from the scene of life's endeavors,
having been vice-president of the board at the time of his demise and
having been for several years chairman of the executive committee of
trie board, ever taking the deepest interest in all that concerned the
welfare of the state's noble educational institution. For many years
he was curator of the State Historical society. He was a devout
churchman, having been a communicant of Grace church, Protestant
Episopal, and having served as a member of its vestry for twenty-
eight years, taking a zealous interest in all departments of the
church work. He was a member of the Madison Literary Club, one
of the twelve members of the Town and Gown Club, a member of the
Reform Club of New York and also of the Milwaukee Club. While
in college he became a member of the Sigma Phi fraternity, and as
one of the highest rank in his class he also became identified with
the fraternity of scholars, the Phi Beta Kappa. In 1902 his alma
mater, Cornell College, conferred upon him its highest degree, that
of X)octor of Laws. Mr. Stevens first married Miss Emma Curtis
Fuller, daughter of Monis E. Fuller, of Madison, and she died one
year later, leaving one daughter, Amelia Fuller Stevens, who re-
mains at the old homestead. October 25, 1876, was solemnized the
marriage of Mr. Stevens to Miss Mary Elizabeth Farmer, second
daughter of the late Marcellus Farmer, of Syracuse, Xew York.
Mrs. Stevens survives her honored husband, as does also their only
child, Elizabeth Breese Stevens. , Mr. Stevens was a man of forceful
and distinct individuality, high intellectual attainments and signal in-
tegrity of character. Courtly and dignified in his bearing, of patri-
cian manner, tolerant and kindly in all the relations of life, Mr.
Stevens won and retained the inviolate confidence and esteem of his
fellow men. Strong in his convictions, always firm in defense of
right, he had no room in his heart for revenge. Compassion and
pity dwelt in him as constant guests. Flattery could not cajole him
into compromise nor power awe him into silence. His life was a suc-
cessful one, as modern ideas conceive success, but farther than this
it represented that greater success which has its basis in strong- and
nobfe character, — and this indeed truly denoted the man.

Hon. E. Ray Stevens, judge of the ninth judicial circuit, was born
in Harrington, Lake county, 111., June 20, 1869. He is a son of
George B. and Frances Ellen (Kellogg) Stevens, both natives of New
York state, where the former was born July 8, 1825 and the latter
October 30, 1838. Judge Stevens' ancestors were among the early
Dutch-English settlers of the Empire state, and many of them served

BIOGRAPHICAL. 851

in the War of the Revolution and in the War of 1812. The judge re-
ceived his education in the common schools of the town of Koshkon-
ong, Jefferson county, Wis., and the Janesville, Wis., high school. In
the fall of 1889 he entered the University of Wisconsin and in 1893
he received the degree of B. L. from the academic department of that
institution. Two years later he completed the course in the depart-
ment of law and was given the degree of LL. B. All during the six
years of his college career Judge Stevens did newspaper work to sup-
ply the needed funds. Upon the completion of his law course he
entered the law offices of Hon. Burr W. Jones and in 1896 formed a
partnership with him under the firm name of Jones & Stevens. This
partnership continued until 1903, when, upon the elevation of Judge
Robert G. Sieberker to the supreme bench, Governor R. M. La Fol-
lette appointed Air. Stevens to fill out the unexpired term of Judge
Siebecker as judge of the ninth judicial circuit. At the expiration of
that term he was elected for the full term. Politically Judge Stevens
belonged to the Republican party. In the legislative session of 1901
he represented the first district of Dane county in the assembly, and
was the author of the so-called Stevens Primary Election bill, which
failed of passage. In religious matters he is affiliated with the First
Congregational church of Madison. On June 23, 1898, he married
Kate, daughter of Henry Sabin, of the town of Windsor, Dane county.
To this union have been born two children — Ellen, aged five, and
Myron, three years old.

Thomas A. Stewart is a native of Verona, the son of John and
Catherine (Gow) Stewart, both born in Scotland. They came to
Verona in 1842 and located on section 27. and followed the business
of farming during the remainder of their lives. Air. Stewart was a
prominent member of the Presbyterian church and held several
offices in it as well as positions in local affairs. He was a large
land owner having, at the time of his death, in February, 1858, five
hundred and twenty acres. His wife died on May 11, 1888, and
both are buried at Verona. Thomas A. Stewart has three sisters,
Christine, who married John Lyle. of Montrose; Mary, of Verona;
Margaret, who married David Lyle. of Middleton. He is the
youngest of the family and was born March 2, 1849. He was
brought up in Verona, obtaining the rudiments of his education in
the public schools, afterward attending the University of Wiscon-
sin, at Madison. He began life as a general farmer and has pur-
sued that occupation up to the present time. He was married
March 22, 1877, to Miss Jessie Rutherford, a native of Verona.
whose parents were among the early settlers of that section. They

. HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

have three children, Alva Thomas, John R. and Frank A., the last
a teacher in the Verona graded schools; all three are at home. Mr.
Stewart has been chairman of the board for seventeen years, and
was justice of the peace for several years; he has always been a
Democrat, and is a member of the Presbyterian church. . Mr. Stew-
art's uncle, Thomas Stewart, was among the first settlers of the
county, coming in 1837 ; in 1849, he went to California and died
there the following year.

John B. Stickney, station agent for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St.
Paul railroad at Mazomanie, can trace his ancestry back to the
Norman kings of England. Representatives of the family came with
William the Conqueror to Great Britain, where they founded the
town of Stickney. Some of their descendants came to America at
an early date and were conspicuous in the colonial history of this
country. Capt. John Stickney, the grandfather of John B., was a
captain in the militia and fought with General Warren at Bunker
Hill. Jacob E. Stickney, the father of the subject of this sketch,
was born in Brownfield, Me., April 5, 1797, and was one of a family
of twelve children. He was educated at Bowdoin College, Me.,
studied medicine, and was known as one of the ablest and most
eminent physicians in the state of New Hampshire. He twice
represented Coos county, N. H., in the legislature ; served on the
board of medical examiners ; was president of the White Mountain
Medical association, and practiced for fifty years in one place. He
married Martha B. Goss, who was born at Greenland, N. H., in
1805, and to this union were born three sons, of whom John B. is
the only one now living. Nathaniel G. was born April 26, 1830, and
died in April, 1905. Frederick was born June 8, 1836, and died
November 14, 1904. He was in the United States mail service for
eighteen years, and was postmaster at Mazomanie for four years.
Dr. Jacob E. Stickney died July 17, 1869, and his wife departel
this life August 3, 1840. John B. Stickney was born in Lancaster,
Coos county, X. H., August 4, 1828. He attended the home schools
and the Lancaster academy until he was thirteen years of age,
when he completed the course and began life as a clerk in a dry
goods store at Wells River, Vt. In 1851 he came to Milwaukee
and entered the employ of the Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul
Railroad Company. Since that time he has been continuously in
the service of this corporation and now enjoys the distinction of
being the oldest employe. At the time he first became associated
with this road the company had but twenty miles of track. He
served in various capacities, such as clerk, conductor, etc.. and in

BIOGRAPHICAL. 353

1856 was made station agent at Miazomanie, where he has ever since
remained. He has seen the little railroad of twenty miles develop
into one of the great railway systems of the country, controlling
over 7,000 miles of track, and in 1005 was honored by having a
station named for him. viz: the town of Stickney, in South Dakota.
"When he came to Mazomanie there was but one house there, and
in the course of its growth to a town of 1,000 population, or over,
he has been a potent factor, always favoring any movement for the
betterment of the social and industrial welfare of the place. At
one time Mr. Stickney owned a fruit farm in Grand Traverse
county, Mich., and was a large shipper of apples to Wisconsin and
Iowa. It is perhaps ho exaggeration to say that he has done more
to imprqve the horses of Dane county than any other man living
within the limts of the county. Being a great lover of horses he
has taken an interest in raising them and some of the finest horses
ever bred in the county are from his farm at Mazomanie. He is
also interested in business institutions and was for some time presi-
dent of the Mazomanie Knitting Company. Politically Mr. Stick-
ney is one of the founders of the Republican party, and prior to its
organization was a Henry Clay Whig. He has checked up the
family history from the days of Queen Anne and has found but one
Tory among his ancestors. He has always taken a keen interest
in questions of public policy ; has served as supervisor of the town
of Mazomanie: was president of the village board for seven years.
and was for fifteen years a member of the school board. He is the
oldest member of Crescent Lodge, Xo. 97, Free and Accepted
Masons, of Mazomanie. On May 3. 1850, he married Miss Char-
lotte White Moore of Lancaster,, N. H.. and they have three daugh-
ters. Alice was graduated from the University of Wisconsin and
is now the wife of E. J. Elliott, of Dell Rapids. S. D. He is a farmer
and also a dealer in grain and real estate. Their children are How-
ard S.. a graduate of and now an instructor in the University of
Wisconsin: Charlotte, attended the Leland Stanford, Jr. University
for three years, and is now teaching in South Dakota: Fay was
graduated from the Dell Rapids high school and is now a student at
the state university. Vermillion, S. D. Mr. Stickney's second
daughter. Mary, was graduated from the Mazomanie high school
and the Milwaukee female college, and is now the wife of F. E.
Bronson. of Portage, connected with the Portage Hosiery Com-
pany. Nelly, the youngest daughter, attended the Mazomanie
schools, taught two years in the high school, and is now the wife

854 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

of A. E. Diment, a hardware merchant of Alazomanie. They have
one daughter. Gladys. Airs. Stickney died on October 6, L897.

Ole L. Stokstad is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and
thirty-eight acres in Albion, which was the heme of h's father, Lars C.
Stokstad. Lars was born near Christiania, Norway, and was em-
ployed as a laborer until he came to America. He married Miss
Inga Olson and they settled in Stoughton in 1867. For some years
they worked rented farms and in 1880 purchased one hundred and
thirty-eight acres in sections 5 and 8, in Albion. Here Airs. Stok-
stad still lives with her children. Mr. and Airs. Stokstad made all
of the improvements 011 the property, erected buildings and con-
verted it into a comfortable home. Eight children blessed their mar-
riage. Annie, the oldest daughter, married Lars Ellingsrud of Al-
bion; Ingeborg is Airs. Sevard Olson of Dunkirk; Christ resides in
Albion; Ole L. is the subject of this sketch; Bertha married Hendrick
Stokstad and lives in Albion; Sophia is Airs. Anton Furcht of Dun-
kirk; Alary is the wife of Mons Anderson of Rock county. Wis.; John
is a clerk and painter of Morris, Minn. Ole L. was born near Christi-
ania, Norway, September 25. 1863, attended school in Albion but re-
ceived only a limited education. He learned the carpenter's trade
at which he worked for some time and in 1899 purchased a farm and
since then has been engaged in farming. Considerable attention is
devoted by him to dairying and stock-raising. Airs. Stokstad was
Miss Carrie Rieser of Chicago^ and was married to Ole Stokstad Alarch
25, 1899. Four children blessed the marriage; Leonard, Raymond,
Howard and Helen. The family attends the United Lutheran church
of Stoughton. Mr. Stokstad votes the Republican ticket but he is
more interested in school affairs than politics.

Ole Andrew Stolen is a popular young professional 111111 of the
village of Alt. Horeb, and although he has but recently entered upon
the practice of law, his natural ability, combined with a thorough prep-
aration, already gives promise of a successful career. He was born
in the town of Perry, April 26, 1876, and is a son of Thor and Aaste
(Hovrud) Edittleson, both of whom are natives of Norway. The father
came to America and located near Stoughton, in Dane county, but
later removed to the town of Perry, where he now resides and where
he has been for many years successfully engaged in the basic industry
of agriculture. The subject of this review is one of twelve children
born to these honored parents, four of whom are deceased. Those
living are Kittle T., Knndt. Alarie (the wife of A. Lindllett), Caroline
(the wife of Fd. Anderson), Ole Andrew, Albert T., Jacob, and Wil-
liam. Air. Stolen was reared on the parental farm, working in the

BIOGRAPHICAL. 855

summer and attending school in the winter, and in this way laying
the foundation of an excellent education. He was graduated from
the Mt. Horeb academy with the class of 1896, as valedictorian, after
which he spent one year at the Normal College at Valparaiso, Ind.
He then entered the University of Wisconsin and was graduated with
the class of 1900 with the degree of B. L. After completing this
course in the university he turned his attention to teaching and for
the ensuing" two years was principal of the public schools at Mt.
Horeb, after which he re turned to the university and entered the law
department, graduating as a B. B. L. with the class of 1905. He im-
mediately began the practice of his chosen profession at Alt. Horeb
and has had a verv flattering clientage from the start. Mr. Stolen was
married in 1902 to Miss Minnie Severson, of York, Green county,
Wis., and to this union has been born two children: Robert Marion
and Agnes Lenora. In politics our subject gives an unswerving al-
legiance to the men and measures of the Republican party, and his re-
ligious faith is expressed by membership in the Lutheran church at
Mt. Horeb, of which organization he is secretary.

August Stolte, a prominent farmer of Middleton, Wis., was born
in Middleton. December 14. 1854. His father, John Stolte, and his
mother, nee Sophia Luth, were born in Mecklenburg, Germany, and
there were married. In 1854 they came to America in a sailing
vessel which was ninety days en route and landed in Xew York.
Continuing their journey as far as Middleton, Wis., they bought
eighty acres of wild land and built upon the prospective farm a log
cabin in which their son August was born. Three years later Mr.
Stolte died and his wife was married a second time, her husband
being Charles Goth. The boy. August, worked on the farm after
attending for some years the county schools and. in 187 7. started
out for himself. For eight years he worked rented land and was
then able to purchase eighty acres of land with the money he had
saved. On this farm in Middleton he lived for ten years. Sub-
sequently he bought eighty acres in section 4. where he now lives
and which he has very greatly improved. Mr. Stolte is a loyal
member of the German Lutheran church, of which he is a trustee.
He has also held many political offices and is a stanch Democrat.
For five years he was school director: for six years road superin-
tendent : and constable several times. December 8, 1877, he was
married to Miss Sophia Rode, daughter of Henry and Minna Rode,
natives of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Five children were born to
them : Carl, who is a clerk in a grocery store in Chicago ; Herman.
a farmer; Alfred, Clara and Irwin, who still remain at home. Mrs.

856 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Stolte died in 1895 and Mr. Stolte married Mrs. Blaumenthal,
widow of Carl Blaumenthal and daughter of Frederick Ranke.

Albert M. StondaU, representative of the twenty-sixth senatorial
district, comprising" Dane county, in the state senate, is a native
of Dane county and is now one of the representative real estate
men of the capital city. He was born on a farm in Cottage Grove
township, this county, August 4. 1865, his parents having been
numbered among the pioneers of that section of the county. After
completing the curriculum of the common schools he attended the
Northwestern Business College, in Madison. He continued to be
actively engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1894, when he en-
gaged in buying and selling Wisconsin lands, operating especially
in Wood, Clark, Washburn and Barron 'counties, and his business
has been extensive and successful, while at the same time he has
been able to 'render material assistance in the development of the
sections which he has covered in his operations. He Ss' a stanch
supporter of the principles and policies of the Republican party,
and in 1904 he was elected to the state senate, from the twenty-
sixth district, proving an active and valuable member of the delib-
erative body of the state legislature.

James B. Stone, a retired farmer of Oregon, was born March 27,
1826, on the Isle of Wight, both of his parents, Jonathan and Har-
riet (Dore) Stone, being natives of that island. The father was a
shepherd by occupation. He came to America about 1851 and the
following year to Dane county. He first located in the town of
Berry and lived there until 1853, when he moved to the place where
the subject of this sketch now lives, in the town of Fitchburg.
Jonathan Stone was born in the year 1790 and died in 1877. His
wife died in 1883. They were both members of the Methodist Epis-
copal church. Of their eight children only two are now living:
James B. and George W., the latter living in the city of Madison.
Those deceased were Maria, Jacob, Charlotte, Eliza, Ann and John.
James B. Stone received his elementary education on his native
island and attended school for a short time in the state of New
York after coming to this country. He left home in February,
i842, when but sixteen years of age. and made his way to America,
crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel, the voyage requiring six
weeks and five days. He landed jn New York city, and in April
went to the town of Hopewell, Ontario county, and then to Water-
loo, Seneca county, where he lived until November, 1846. From
that time until 1853 he worked in a soap and candle factory, and
in other occupations, coming to the place where he now lives in

BIOGRAPHICAL. 857

February, 1853. His first possessions there were eighty acres of
wild land, which he improved and has added to it until he now
owns two hundred and thir.ty-seven acres. Part of this he leases
out every year, and upon the rest conducts a general farming busi-
ness, though he has practically retired from the active management
of the farm. Air. Stone takes a keen interest in public affairs,
though he is independent in his political views. He keeps himself
well informed on the issues of the day and votes according to his
judgment. In June, lS-~)9, he married Miss Emma Dore. a native
of Xew Haven, Conn., and a daughter of David and Elizabeth
(Gradge) Dore. Her parents were both natives of England, but
came to America in 1832. locating first in Connecticut, but in 1843
settled in Racine county. Wis., where her father bought a farm
and became one of the pioneers of that section of the state. Mr.
and Mrs. Stone have two sons. Homer A. is a farmer in the town
of Fitchburg. He married Miss Elizabeth Owens of Dane county.
James D. is single and lives at home with his parents on the farm.
Theron G. Stone, junior member of the firm of Dunphy & Stone.
owners and publishers of the Sun Prairie Countryman, was born at
Johnson's Creek, Jefferson county, Wisconsin, June 12, 1870, and is
a son of Chauncey R. and Helen M. (Genung) Stone. The father was
born in the state of Vermont, June 28, 1844, and his mother was born
in Aztalan, Jefferson county. Wisconsin, February 6, 1842. The lat-
ter was a daughter of Charles Genung, who was born in Xew Jersey,
July 24, 1808, and who was numbered among the first settlers of Az-
talan, Wisconsin, where he took up his residence in 1839, about five
years before Wisconsin was admitted to the Union. He there engaged
in the manufacture of wagons and plows, becoming one of the promi-
nent business men and influential citizens of the locality and being-
possessed of a very considerable property at one time. His wife,
whose maiden name was Dency J. Hathaway, was born in the state
of Xew Jersey. April 14, 1814, and she died in Aztalan, in 1S57. She
was one of a large family, and one of her sisters became the wife of the
late Alvinza Hayward. a millionaire citizen of California. Chaun-
cey R. Stone came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1857 and he was
reared to maturity in Jefferson county. He learned the trades of
blacksmith and wagonmaker, which he followed for many years in
Jefferson, whence he removed to Waterloo, this state, in July, 1875,
there following his trade until 1805. when he retired, he and his wife
still residing in that village. He is a son of Elijah and Lydia M.
(Bridges) Stone, the former of whom was born in Underbill, Vermont,
in February, 1821, while his wife was born in Berlin, that state, in the

858 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

same month and year. They located in Aztalan, Wisconsin, in 1857,
passing the remainder of their lives in Jefferson county, where he died
about 1863, his wife passing away in 1874. The marriage of Chaun-
cey R. Stone and Helen M. Genung was solemnized November 8,
1865, at Aztalan, the latter having been a resident of Jefferson county
from the time of her birth to the present. They became the parents
of three children, one of whom died in infancy; Ora A. became the
wife of Dudley J. Humphrey, of Waterloo, where she died in May,
1903; and Theron G., subject of this sketch, is the only surviving
child. Chauncey R. Stone was one of the first Wisconsin men to
tender his services in defense of the Union when his integrity was
menaced by armed rebellion. On September 30, 1861, he enlisted as
a private in the Third Wisconsin Battery of Light Artillery, having
been a member of the regimental band, and having been promoted ad-
jutant. He received his hororable discharge, December 11, 1862, on
account of physical disability, but on the 31st of the same month,
1863, he re-enlisted, becoming a member of Company E, Third Wis-
consin Cavalry. He was transferred to Company H upon the reor-
ganization of the regiment, and was in active service with liis com-
mand, principally in the west, until the close of the war, having re-
ceived his final discharge, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, July 11,
1865. He is a stalwart in the ranks of the Republican party, is a
member of the Grand Army of the Republic and is also identified
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Theron G. Stone, the
immediate subject of this review, secured his educational discipline in
the public schools of his native state, having been graduated from
the high school at Waterloo as a member of the class of 1888. He
initiated Ids association with the "art preservative of all arts" by enter-
ing the office of the Waterloo Democrat, on March 25, 1889, learning
all of the intricacies of the printer's craft, with which he has ever
since been identified. In August, 1905, he purchased a half interest
in the Sun Prairie Countryman, in whose publication he has since
been associated with Walter R. Dunphy. He is a Republican in his
political allegiance, and is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of
America, while he is held in high regard in the business and social
circles of his home village. < >n ( krtober 10. 1805. Mr. Stone was uni-
ted in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Daum, daughter of Jacob and
Charlotte (Youker) I >aum, of Waterloo, Wisconsin, and they have one
son, Gerald D., who was born February 4, 1897.

H. E. Story, deceased, of Belleville, was born August 18, 1820,
at Manchester. Mass. He is a descendant of the Storys who came

BIOGRAPHICAL. 859

with the Salem colony ; there were three brothers, one of whom set-
tled at Marblehead, and it is from this branch of the family that the
distinguished jurist, Joseph Story, of the United States supreme court,
and his son, William W. Story, equally renowned in his own line as
sculptor, are descended. Another brother settled in Essex and was a
ship-builder, and many of his descendants have become prominent
in that business, and are conneted by ties of blood or marriage to a
majority of the people of the town. The third brother was a dis-
senter from the Puritan church and the rest of the family drove him
to Connecticut. Later, some of that branch came to the Western Re-
serve with the Connecticut Land Co. H. E. Story is the son of
Stephen Story, a shoemaker, who spent his life in Manchester, dying
at the age of eighty-five years; he married Maria Revere T. Tuck, a
relative of Paul Revere, of Revolutionary fame. She died at the age
of eighty-six, and, with her husband, is buried at Manchester. They
had a family of twelve children, five of whom are still living, and ex-
hibiting three of the family characteristics of strength, industry and
longevitv. H. E. Story was reared in Manchester and educated in
the public schools ; he had for an instructor a MJr. Hillyard, a gradu-
ate of West Point, and afterward editor of the Boston Courier. Mr.
Story was gifted with an active mind and a good memory, for al-
though he seldom used a pencil in making his accounts, he very sel-
dom made a mistake. At the age of fourteen he was one of the pro-
moters of a public library in Manchester, which is still in operation.
At the age of sixteen he left home and went to Beverly, Mass., where
he worked for the first six months for a truck farmer. He afterward
went into business as a manufacturer of shoes, and owned the first
machine made for the manufacture of shoes, in this country, and
made his home in Beverly for twenty years; during that time he was,
for a period of sixteen years, the manager of the lyceum of the
town and came into contact with the most prominent and talented
men of the day, such as Webster. Phillips and Beecher. In 1858, on
account cf business failures, he came west, although one bank offered
him assistance to the amount of $25,000, if be would remain. He
came to Madison with a view to going into business there, but in-
stead he bought a farm in Montrose township, for the purpose of
starting in life two young men, sons of a friend of bis of Boston. In
1859 he engaged in business in Belleville, in a general store, stocked
with the best quality of goods which he could obtain, and conducted
a general mercantile business until 1883, when he was succeeded by
his son, Charles H. At this time he built a warehouse for rent, but
on account of the failure of the lessees, he assumed the management.

S60 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

and until lis death was engaged in the sale of grain, feed, coal, brick,
etc. .Mr. Story was married, in 1849, to Mary Elliot Friend, a native
of Beverly, and the daughter of a very prominent and wealthy man ;
she died in [902; they had three children, William Friend, who has
been in the American express office in Chicago, for over forty years;
Charles H., a merchant of Belleville, and Edwin C. Mr. Story was
a Democrat until the organization of the Free Soil part)', was a man
who has always kept himself posted on affairs of public interest, but
never aspired to public office. He belonged to the Sons of Temper-
ance from 1840 until he came west in 1859. His interest in the pub-
lic welfare, as shown by the establishment of the public library in
Manchester, was similarly manifested in Belleville where he estab-
lished a library for the use of the public and maintained it for several
years at his own expense, and later had it incorporated. He was fa-
miliarly known in his community as "The Grand Old Man of Belle-
ville," from his resemblance to Mr. Gladstone. He died March 3,
1906.

Jacob Strand is the owner of a well improved little farm of thirty
acres, the greater portion of which lies within the corporate limits
of the village of Sun Prairie. He is a representative of the sturdy
Norsemen, who have contributed so largely to the development
and substantial upbuilding of the Badger state. He was born in
Noway, December 31. 1865, and is a son of Thomas K. and Sarah
(Gunderson) Strand, both of whom were likewise born in Norway,
the former March 15, L828, and the latter in May, 183d. They set-
tled on a farm in Burke township, Dane county, Wisconsin in 1885,
and there remained until 1898, when they removed to Sun Prairie,
where the father died in 1901, and where the mother still maintains
her home. In politics Thomas K. Strand was a stanch Republican,
and his religions faith was that of the Lutheran church, of which
his widow also is a devoted member. They became the parents of
nine children, of whom eight are living. The subject of this sketch
was reared and educated in his native land, whence he accompanied
his parents on their immigration to America, having been a resident
of Dane county since L884. His first farm comprised forty-seven
acres and was located in Burke township, and his present place,
which he has improved with excellent buildings, has been in his
possession since L898. Mr. Strand exercises his franchise in sup-
port of the cause of the Republican party, is identified with the
Order of Beavers, and both he and his wife are members of the
Lutheran church. June '-1. 1897, Mr. Strand was united in marriage
to Miss Sarah Ekan, who was born in Norway, April 2, i874, being

BIOGRAPHICAL. 861

a daughter of Iver and Joanna Ekan, who came from Norway to
Dane county, Wisconsin, in 1875, locating on a farm. The mother
died April 21, 1902. and is survived by eight of her nine children.
The father consummated a second marriage and still resides on his
farm, in Vienna township. To Mr. and Mrs. Strand have been born
three children, — Tenny Elmer, Joanna Semanda, and Andrew, the
last named having died in infancy.

Martin A. Strommen, son of Kettli and Lena (Holton) Strommen,
is a native of the town of Christiania and a farmer upon the old
family homestead. Jorge and Ann Strommen, parents of Kettli,
came to Dane county, with their parents in the early days and ob-
tained a fine farm of six hundred and twenty acres, upon part of
which Martin, their grandson, now lives. Mrs. Jorge Strommen
still lives at the o|d home. Kettli was their only child and always
lived with his parents, assisting in the care of their large property.
He married Miss Lena Holton, who after the death of Mr. Strom-
men in January. 1882, married Ole P. Nelson of Christiania. Mr.
Nelson was born in Haviland, Norway, son of Peter and Bertha
Olson Nelson, who came to Richland county, Wis., in 1867. To
Mr. and Mrs. Kettli Strommen were born four children : Albert (de-
ceased), Martin, and Carl (deceased). Three children were born
to Mrs. Strommen's second marriage ; Clara, Relia and Oscar.
Martin was born in Christiania, February 22, 1878, attended the
district schools and farmed on the old homestead until 1903, when
he built his present beautiful home on a part of the original Strom-
men property. His large barn was built in 1902 and he is inter-
ested in dairying as well as general farming. Considerable to-
bacco is also raised upon the farm. Martin was married Novem-
ber 15, 1899, to Miss D. Amelia Christianson, daughter of John and
Ingebrigt Christianson, natives of Norway. Two children have
blessed the marriage ; Deloris x\lfred, born in 1900 and Inez Lena
born in 1903. The Strommen family has always been identified
with the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Strommen is a mem-
ber of the Repubican party, has served as the town board and held
other local offices. He is always interested in the welfare of the
community.

Rev. Jacob Aall Ottesen Stub, the popular and able pastor of
Christ Lutheran church in the city of Stoughton, was born in Utica
township, this county, August 6, 1877, and is the son of Hans G. and
Diddrikka (Ottesen) Stub, representatives of sterling pioneer families
of Wisconsin, the father having been born in Muskego. Waukesha
county, this state, February 23, 1849, and his mother being born in

862 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Manitowoc, Manitowoc county, in the early 50's. The paternal grand-
father, Rev. Hans A. Stub, was a native of Norway, where he was edu-
cated in the University of Christiania, and there he was ordained to the
ministry of the Lutheran church. He became one of the earliest
clergymen of the Norwegian Lutheran church to take up pastoral
work in America, having come to Wisconsin in 1848, locating in Mus-
kego where he had charge of mission work, being also one of the six
clergymen who organized the Norwegian Lutheran synod in the Uni-
ted States. He was afterward incumbent of pastoral charges in Ver-
non county, Wisconsin. At the time of the Civil War he returned to
Norway, where he remained five years, at the expiration of which he
came again to America and located in Winnesheik county, Iowa,
where he had charge of several churches for twenty-nine years. In
1891 he again visited Norway, returning to America in 1897, and re-
tiring from the active work of the ministry in the following year. He
now resides in St. Paul, Minnesota, in the home of his son, Rev.
Hans G. Stub, D. D. The maternal grandfather of the subject of this
sketch was Rev. Jacob Aall Otteson, who likewise was born and
reared in Norway, where he received a liberal education and where
he was ordained a minister of the Lutheran church. He taught for
three years in the Latin schools of Christiania, and in 1852 came to
the United States, locating in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, where he was
one of the pioneers in the mission work of his church, having charge
of congregations in various places in that section of the state. In
i860 he removed to Dane county, locating in-Utica township and
thereafter serving several congregations until 1891, when he retired
and removed to Decorah, Iowa, where he died in the autumn of 1904,
at the age of seventy-nine years. Professor Hans G. Stub, the father
of him whose name initiates this article, was graduated from Luther
College, at Decorah, Iowa, as a member of the class of 1866. He
studied theology thereafter, in St. Louis, Missouri, and in 1872 was
ordained to the ministry of the church of his fathers. In the same
year he took up his residence in Minneapolis, Minnesota, there be-
coming pastor of Our Saviour's Norwegian Lutheran church and
mission, in which he served zealously and ably until 1878, when he
became professor of theology in the Lutheran Seminary, at Madison,
Wisconsin. This incumbency he retained until 1888, with the excep-
tion of two years passed in special study in Leipsic, Germany. In
1888 the seminary was removed from Madison to the city of Minne-
apolis, and there he held the chair of theology to the present time,
save for an interval of four years, 1896 to 1900, during which time he

BIOGRAPHICAL. 8G3

was pastor of a church in Decorah, Iowa. The mother of the subject
of this sketch died when he was but two years of age, and thereafter
he was reared to the age of seven years in the home of his maternal
grandparents, in Dane county. He then went to his father who had
but recently consummated a second marriage, having wedded Miss
Yalborg Hovind, of Madison, who was born in Norway and who was
a well known vocalist and teacher of vocal music, having been edu-
cated in Germany and France. Mr. Stub's father was then living in
the city of Madison, and here the boy was afforded the advantages of
the public schools which he continued to attend until 1888. He finally
matriculated in Luther College. Decorah, Iowa, from which he was
graduated as a member of the class of 1898, with the degree of Bache-
lor of Arts. It was but natural that inherent predilections should
lead him to the work of the ministry, and in 1901 he was graduated
from the seminary of the Xorweigian Lutheran church, in 'the city of
St. Paul. After his ordination 'he became assistant pastor, under Rt.
Rev. Halverson, of Wesby, being assigned to a congregation at Viro-
qua, Vernon county, where he remained nearly a year. In May 1902,
he became pastor of Christ Lutheran church, in Stoughton, and the
pastorate he still holds, having in fused much zeal and vitality into
all departments of the church work and enjoying unqualified popular-
ity in the community. August 26, 1902, was solemnized the marriage
of Mr. Stub to Miss Aleda Hoverson, daughter of Hover and Bertha
(Johnson) Hoverson, of Soldiers' Grove, Crawford county, and of this
union has been born one child, Didrikka Aall.

George Sullivan, the efficient superintendent of streets of the
city of Madison was born in Madison, February 12, 1856. He
comes of good Irish stock, his parents, Timothy and Elizabeth
(McCune) Sullivan, being natives of the Emerald Isle, the former
of County Clare and the latter of Rosscommon. Timothy Sullivan
came to the United States in the early forties, locating first in Rail-
way, N. J., where he engaged in farming and truck gardening. In
1855 he and his wife made their way to the capital city of AYiscon-
sin, and for many years lived on a farm, Mr. Sullivan doing occas-
sional jobs of teaming. He is now retired, having reached the age
of seventy-four, while his wife is seventy-two. Of their ten chil-
dren, of whom the subject of this sketch is the second, five are
still living. Mary is the widow of John O'Connell of Madison ;
Hannah is the wife of Frank Memhard of Madison ; Dennis, a clerk,
makes the same city his home ; and John, a teamster, also makes
his home in the city of his nativity. George Sullivan received his
early schooling in the public institutions of Madison. The print-

864 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

ers' trade appealed to him and four years were spent in learning
its "ins and outs," and the following seven years were put in on a
farm. On his return to the city at the end of that time he engaged
in the construction work and has since made that his means of live-
lihood. During the years of 1887-1888 he served as alderman from
the sixth ward. In 1899 the common council of the city of Madi-
son made Mr. Sullivan superintendent of streets and he has served
continuously since through the different changes of administration.
That his work as a public officer has been highly satisfactory there
is no doubt. On May 3, 1880, Mr. Sullivan was united in marriage
to Katie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis McCarthy of Madison.
Both Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy are natives of Ireland, who came to
this country in the early fifties. For many years McCarthy was a
hop and tobacco grower, but like so many other Dane county far-
mers, has of late years turned his attention to the raising of sugar
beets. McCarthy is now about seventy-two years of age and his
wife is sixty-eight. Mrs. Sullivan died December 14. 1900, leaving,
beside her husband, six children: Emma, a stenographer; Helen,
who keeps house for her father ; Jennie, a student in the business
college; Anna, attending the public schools; Florence and Eugenia.
The family are all members of -the Catholic church and the father
belongs to the Catholic Knights of America.

James Sullivan, (deceased), was a native of Queenstown. Cork
county, Ireland. He came to Toledo, O., at an early date, having
first spent some time in Pennsylvania. In May, 1839, he came to
Madison, Wis., and engaged in teaming. He followed that occu-
pation for about five years, part of the time making the long jour-
ney between Milwaukee and Madison, hauling the material for the
budding of the old capital. He owned a farm in Toledo, O., and
this he sold and invested the proceeds in the land in Burke town-
ship where he made his home until his death, April 19, 1867. The
story of Mr. Sullivan's l'fe is the story of the thrilling and adven-
turous experiences of the pioneer. His first journey from Toledo to
Madison was made alone on horseback, and the following year he
made the same journey accompanied by his family. His was among
the first Catholic families to settle in that vicinity, and they preceded
the first priest by three years. Father Condig, of Milwaukee, was
brought out to baptize two children of Mr. Sullivan, Jane and
Michael, and at that time the first mass was said in his house.
They were the first children christened in the Catholic church of
Wisconsin. At that time their nearest neighbors were a mile away
and the farms were also separated by a creek. In this home, carved

BIOGRAPHICAL. 865

out of the wilderness, Mr. Sullivan spent h's life of seventy-five
years, and brought up his family of nine children. His marriage
occurred about 1828, to Miss Catherine Cahoo, also a native of
Ireland. It was solemnized in Albany X. Y. Six children were
born in Toledo, Ohio, and three in Dane county. Mlargaret, of
Mauchchunk, Penn., married Matthew Gorry, of Fitchburg; both
are deceased ; Mary, of New York state, married John Conlisk, of
Toledo, O. ; both are deceased ; Patrick, deceased, of Toledo, O.,
spent most of his life in Missouri. Hannah, married Samuel Barry;
James spent most of his life in the west ; was in the Civil War, in
Kit Carson's cavalry, and died in Mexico, shortly after the war;
Catherine, now Sister Mary Magdaline, a sister of charity, in
Cleveland, O. ; Jane, died young; Michael, died in Toledo, O. ; Ellen,
died unmarried. The mother of this family died at Burke, 1864,
aged sixty years, and is buried in the family burying plot in the
Catholic cemetery of Madison. The subject of this sketch was a
man of strong personality a stanch democrat, and while deeply
interested in political movements, was not a seeker of official posi-
tions, but nevertheless served in local offices at different times. He
was a well-to-do farmer, owning at the time of his death, two hun-
dred acres of land in the town of Burke.

Edwin Sumner, the senior member of the firm of Edwin Sumner
& Son,, wholesale and retail druggists, was born in New Lisbon, Ohio,
September 23, 1841. In 1845 ms parents moved to Tiffin, Seneca
county, of the same state, which was his home until he was fifteen
years of age. After the death of his father, his mother, MVs. Jane
Sumner, with three of her children, two daughters and one son, the
latter the subject of this sketch, removed to Wisconsin, settling in Mad-
ison in 1856. A picture of Pinckney street, where the establishment
of Sumner & Son is now located, taken in 1856, shows an irregular
and inartistic sky-line formed by low wooden buildings and a glimpse
of a corner of the Capitol Park, with its saplings protected from
molestation by the public by a high board fence. At that time railway
communication with the outer world had been established barely two
years and, although the population had reached about seven thousand,
the place had just been incorporated as a city and was still without
public buildings and the conveniences of water, light, etc., which are
now in common use in the minature cities of a quarter of the size of
Madison in 1856. Soon after his arrival, Mr. Sumner, although only
a boy in years, began the moulding of his own career by seeking em-
ployment with PhilO' Dunning, a sturdy, honest pioneer of 1840, at
that time a partner in the firm of Dunning & Paine, grocers and drug-
55 — iii

866 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

gists, established at 109 King street. After three months a change
was made in the firm and it became Wright & Paine, and Air. Sum-
ner remained in their employ for nearly three years. In February,
1859, when the subject of this sketch was only eighteen years of age,
he formed a partnership with Philo Dunning, John N. Jones, and
James W. Sumner, (his brother), under the firm name of Dunning,
Jones & Sumners which was the foundation of the present business
firm, and its present location at 15 South Pinckney street selected. A
year later the building was found to be too small to accomodate the
growing business and it was moved off the site and in two months a
new building stood in its place. This display of prompitude and
energy is typical of the spirit which has animated the firm through all
the changes which the years have made in the personel of the princi-
pals. February 10, 1862, the firm was changed to Dunning & Sum-
ner, and it is at the present time Sumner & Son, but the man of whom
this brief sketch is written has for nearly half a century maintained his
connection as an active partner in the business, and the memory of
but few of the present residents of the city runs back to' the time when
he did not dispense his wares for the healing and comfort of the in-
habitants. At the present time the firm has a force of four assistants
in its employ and has established a branch store on State street, at the
intersection of Gilman street, which in size and appointments nearly
equals the original establishment. On September 6. 1864, Mr Sum-
ner was married to Miss Mary Annette Dunning and they have had
two children, one daughter, who died at the age of sixteen months and
one son, Louis D., born November 7, 1870; he was educated in the
city schools and at the University of Wisconsin in the English course ;
He also took a post graduate course in the college of pharmacy, re-
ceiving the degree of Bachelor of Science, and is now the junior mem-
ber of the firm. He married Miss Mary Clawson. daughter of A. J.
Clawson, an early graduate of the University of Wisconsin. Mr.
Edwin Sumner is a member of the fraternal order of Free Masons and
also of the Congregational church, and he has been a trustee of that
church for the last forty years. In the Madison Democrat of May 6.
1906, under the heading "A Semi-Centennial, appeared this notice of
the Sumner family: "Just fifty years ago yesterday, James AY. Sumner
had a neat little cottage purchased and furnished in the 100 block of
East Gilman street, and on that day he sent to Tiffin, Ohio, for hia
mother, two sisters and one brother to come to Madison. They ar-
rived in due time and found a thrifty village. Only two are now liv-
ing, Mr. Edwin O. Sumner and Mrs. J. IT. D. Baker. Mr. James
Sumner came to Madison in 1847, being one of the pioneers."

BIOGRAPHICAL. 867

James W. Sumner, of 15 Hancock St., Madison is a native ot
England; he was born in Manchester, August 1, 1832, the son ot
James and Jane (Mathew) Sumner. The parents came to America
in 1833. landing- in New York. They settled in Tiffin, Seneca
county, Ohio. James Sumner was a lawyer by profession and a
thoroughly educated English gentleman. He practiced law in
Tiffin and entered into the political interests of his time, stumping
the state against Tom Corbin. He remained in the town where he
settled until his death. The subject of this sketch received his edu-
cation in the schools of Tiffin, but began at an early age to carve
out his own fortunes ; he began learning the harness trade when
he was only fourteen and worked at it two years in Ohio and two
years after coming to Wisconsin. He came to Dane county.
May 26, 1817. and settled in Madison ; he took up forty acres of
government land in the town of Oregon ; after the death of his fa-
ther, his mother came west and Air. Sumner sold his little farm,
purchased a house for his mother on Gorham St., opposite Judge
Riser's, furnished it and installed her in her new home. He has
been identified with the' interests of Madison for nearly sixty years,
having served on the board when it was a village, at the time when
it received its charter as a city, and afterward as a member of the
council representing the second ward. He was nominated for
sheriff in 1869. Mr. Sumner's family belonged to the Episcopal
church and he was christened in that church in England. He is,
in politics, an old-time Democrat, and his fraternal relations are
with the K. P.. Monona Lodge No. 12, of Madison. He was in
business, as a druggist, in Madison, for twenty-five years but has
now retired. He owns his home in the city and three other build-
ings on the same property lying between Hancock and Franklin
Streets. April 8, 1861. Mr. Sumner married Miss Frances E. Fos-
ter, daughter of Louis and Lucy Foster, of Xew York. She was
born in Jefferson county. Wis., and died March 30, 1890. They had
two children. James F.. of Milwaukee and Ella, who married Mr
Steinberg, of Chicago. Both of the children were born and edu-
cated in Madison, the daughter having received special training in
music.

August Sutter, a prominent farmer of Perry township, was born
in Madison, Wis., September 9, 1863. His father, Ludwig Sutter,
was a native of Baden, Germany, and married Crescienta Heller,
who was born in the same district. In 1850, they left Germany
and came to Madison, Wis., where Mr. Sutter bought wheat for
the Conklin firm. In 1875, he moved to Perry township and en-

868

HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

o^aged in farming, having purchased one hundred and twenty acres
of farm land. To this he added one tract after another until his
property comprised two hundred and seventy acres. The last few
years of his life Mr. Sutter spent in Mount Horeb, retired, and
there he died in May, 1904. Mrs. Sutter still resides in Mount
Horeb. Ten children were born to Ludwig Sutter and his wife, all
of whom are living. Joseph resides in Perry township; Julia is
• Mrs. George Schmidt of Perry ; August is the subject of this sketch;
Frank lives with his mother in Mount Horeb; Louie resides in
Blue Mounds township; Mary resides in a convent in Milwaukee;
Frances married Casper Hagg of Mount Horeb ; Grace is with her
sister Mary in Milwaukee; Leo lives in the town of Blue Mounds,
and Willie on the old home farm. August was at home with his
parents and assisted his father until he was twenty-nine years old.
at which time he bought a farm of one hundred acres in the town
of Perry and engaged in general farming at which he has prospered.
In May, 1892. he married Miss Catherine Schmidt, born in Perry,
daughter of George and Frances (Conlee) Schmidt, natives of Ger-
many. Eight children blessed the marriage ; George Ludwig. Ed-
die Joseph, Clara Julia, Frank August, Ella Grace, Raymond Leo,
Stella and Laura Teresa, all of whom are at home. Mrs. Sutter is
one of a family of seven children, of whom four are living; George,
who resides in the town of Perry ; Albert,, who lives in Blue Mounds ;
Mrs. August Sutter, and Teresa, the wife of a brother of August j
Sutter. Mr. Sutter is allied with the Democratic party. The
family belongs to the German Catholic church.

Louis O. Sveom, of Stoughton. is a contractor and constructor of
all kinds of cement and concrete work, and is numbered among the
successful and reliable business men of the second city of Dane county.
He was born in Norway, February 12, 1868, and is a son of Ole A.
and Bertha (Torgeson) Sveom. who came to the United States in the
spring of 1881. settling in Rock county, Wisconsin, where the father
continued identified with agricultural pursuits until 1900, when he re-
tired. He and his wife still reside in Rock county, making their homel
in Avan, though they originally settled in Plymouth township. They
have nine children, namely: Andrew; Bertha, wife of Hans Ljom;
Bernt; Thea, wife of John Hegge ; John ; Olive, wife of O. C. Jensen;
Louis O. ; and Olaus. The subject of this review secured his early
educational training in his native land, having been twelve years of'
age at the time of the family removal to the United States. Here he
continued his studies for two terms in the common schools of Rock!
county, and he was employed at farm work until he had reached the

BIOGRAPHICAL. 869

age of thirty-two years. In 1894 he engaged in the contracting bus-
iness in the city of Milwaukee, giving employment to a number of
men and there remaining one year. Thereafter he followed the same
line of enterprise in Rock county until 1901, when he located in
Stoughton, where he established his present business, in which he has
met with gratifying success, being the only contractor of the sort in
the city and having gained a high reputation for work of the highest
grade. In politics he is found aligned as a supporter of the principles
and policies of the Republican party. September 6, 1899, Mr. Sveom
was married to Miss Sophia Torema Freeman, daughter of Magnus
and Helen (Everson) Freeman, of Spring Valley township, Rock
county. Mr. and Mrs. Sveom have two chicken,— Lillian R. and

Helen. .

Harold L. Swan, proprietor and editor of the Mazomanie Sickle,
was born in Christiania, Norway, November 29. 1869. He is the son
of Hans H. and Randina Swan, both born in Norway, the former on
January 13, 1840, and the latter on June 4. i«45- Mr- Swan received
his scholastic training in the institutions of Stoughton and in 1882
started in to learn the trade of printer. He served his apprentice-
ship with the Normannen of Stoughton. of which he later became one
of the publishers. In 1893 he purchased the plant of the Mazomanie
Sickle, and since- that time has been its editor. He is a stanch sup-
porter of the Republican party. On February 5, 1891, Mr. Swan was
united in marriage to Miss Bertha Johnson, daughter of Richard and
Jane (Lowrv) Johnson of Stoughton and to this union have been born
three children. The names of these, with the dates of their birth, fol-
low ; Jane Idelle, March 29, 1892; Harold Johnson, Mlarch 30. 1896;
and Julian McAllister, September 16, 1898. Mr. Swan is identified
with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Equitable Fraternal Un-
ion, the Mystic Workers of the World and the Order of Beavers.

J. D. Synon, of Verona, was born in the district of Prince Ed-
ward, Ontario, Canada, December 22, 1842, of Irish ancestry, his
father having come from Ireland to Canada, with his parents, at the
age of fourteen years and his mother at the age of nine. His father,
Thomas Synon, came to Milwaukee. July 4. 1859. and immediately
came on to Verona, Dane county. Here he bought land, improved it
and made his home until his death December 5, 1902, his wife having
died four years previously. They were the parents of nine children,
J. D. Synon, the subject of this sketch; Jane, who married James
Budrase, of Minnesota; George, (deceased) who was a physician in
Chicago; William, a physician of Milwaukee; Thomas and Daniel,
twins, the former an attorney in Norfolk, Va.. and the latter a farmer

870 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

of Fitchburg; Emily, (deceased) was a teacher in Chicago; Alary
Ellen, of Eitchbnrg-; Agnes (deceased) was a teacher. Air. Synon
received the greater part of his education in Canada, and after com-
ing to Wisconsin, worked a farm in partnership with his father until
he was thirty years of age ; he then bought the farm of two hundred
and forty acres which he occupies at the present. He was married
February 24, i88r. to Miss Jane Miles of Verona; they had two chil-
dren, Cassie and Jerome, both at home. Mrs. Synon died June 17,
1887, and Mr. Synon subsequently married Miss Delia Reynolds, of
Madison.

Hon. Jonas Swenholt, the incumbent of the office of state fish-
and game-warden, whose Madison home is at 2102 Oakland avenue,
was born near Oconomowoc, Waukesha county. Wis., December
20, 1855. He is a son of John and Ingeborg Swenholt, both of
whom wrere born in Norway. The father was a Norwegian farmer
who settled in Waukesha county in 1844, clearing and improving a
farm. In 1861 he moved to Waupaca county and lived on the
farm which he cleared, until his death, which occurred July 2, 1881,
the day that' President Garfield was shot. His widow is still living,
having passed the eighty-third milestone on April 14, 1906. She
makes her home with her son in Madison. There were but two
children in the family. Ingeborg is the widow of Rev. E. J.
Homme, the founder of the Norwegian orphans' home at Witten-
berg, Shawano county. His death occurred in June, 1903, at the
age of sixty years. His widow is now living in Glendale, Oregon,
Jonas Swenholt received an academic education in the common
schools of Wisconsin. He devoted his time to farming for a few
years after the completion of his studies, and then moved to
Shawano county and built the first house in what is now the village
of Wittenberg. The village today has a population of about thir-
teen hundred and the government conducts an Indian school at the
place. Mr. Swenholt conducted a store there for thirteen years and
then operated a saw mill which he previously purchased. In 1893
the mill was burned to the ground with a loss of fifteen thousand
dollars. In 1894 he was made register of deeds of Shawano county
and re-elected to the position in 1896. In the fall of 1900 he was
elected to a seat in the lower house of the state legislature, and
again in 1904 was chosen to fill the same position. During the last
session in which he served he was chairman of the committee on
fish and game and a member of the committee on claims. On
September 19. 1905, Gov. R. La Follette appointed him fish and game
warden. His term expires July 1. 1907. His political affiliations

BIOGRAPHICAL. 871

are with the Republican party and his appointment to office was a
recognition of his faithful services in its behalf. Previous to his
coming to Madison to live he had held all the political offices of
his town and village, and had served as postmaster, the appoint-
ment having been made by President Garfield. In July. 1883. Mr.
Swenholt married Miss Anna Lysne, daughter of Henry Lysne, and
a native of Portage county. Her parents, both deceased, were na-
tives of Norway. Henry Lysne and his son Ole served throughout
the Civil War in the Union army, the son being killed in the last
battle before Petersburg. To Mrs. and Mrs. Swenholt have been
born four children. John is a student at the University of Wiscon-
sin in the class of 1908, in the pharmacy course. Helmer is also an
attendant of the same institution, in the engineering course. Edna
is in the high school and Casper in the grade school.

A. J. Swenson is a retired gardener of Madison, where he has
lived since 1856. He was born in Stockholm, Sweden, July 22, 1819,
son of Sever and Carrier Swenson, both natives of Sweden. His
parents were poor and their son had no opportunity to attend school
but was hard at work as soon as he was old enough to find employ-
ment. He became an expert gardener and in 1856 embarked for
America, soon after becoming a resident of Madison, Wis. He was
employed for three years by Governor Farwell in various kinds of
work about his home and bought a lot of Governor Farwell as soon
as he could save enough from his wages. The entire sum which he
possessed with which to erect his house was ten dollars and this only
sufficed to purchase covering for three sides of the little cottage. A
blanket temporarily enclosed the fourth side but Mr. Swenson soon
earned money to finish his dwelling and continued to add to his prop-
erty as he accumulated a competence, little by little, by means of thrift
and unceasing energy and labor. He now owns two full city lots and
his daughter owns two adjoining lots. Each of Mr. Swenson's chil-
dren have been presented by their father with two lots. The first
strawberries ever cultivated in Madison were raised by Mr. Swenson,
who was fond of making experiments with his garden and was always
very successful. In 1853 Mr. Swenson married, in Chicago, Miss Car-
rie Peterson, a native of Sweden, and four children were born to the
marriage. Albert, the oldest son and Christine, the oldest daughter,
reside with their father in Madison. Anna is Mrs. Ole Swenson and
lives in Minnesota. Sophia is Mrs. Hamilton, also of Minnesota.
The family belongs to the Norwegian Lutheran church. In political
sympathies Mr. Swenson is a Republican.

872 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Andrew W. Swenson, carpenter and contractor and member of
the firm of Swenson Brothers, first saw the light of day in Norway,
October 15. 1863. He is a son of John and Sonnov (Wesnes) Swen-
son. The father was born December 12, 1822, and In 1882, having
been sent for by his sons, came to the United States. From the t'me
of his arrival until his death in 1886 ho lived with his son William on
a farm. In Norway he had followed the vocation of rope-maker. His
widow is still living, an honored resident of Elmside, a suburb of Mad-
ison. She is a member of the Lutheran church. By a previous mar-
riage John Swenson was the father of four children. Severen, now
deceased, was a resident of Minnesota and president of a bank
there. At one time he was county auditor. John A., formerly a
carpenter and contractor of Madison, is now a prospector. Magnus,
who makes his home in Madison, is interested in the manufacture of
mining tools in Chicago. Mary is now Mrs. Harvey. The subject of
this sketch is the eldest of the three children by the second marriage.
The others are William R., the partner of Andrew W., and Anna B.,
the wife of John Golbin, a painter of Madison. Andrew W. Swen-
son received his education in the public and private schools of his na-
tive country. As soon as he had been confirmed he took passage as a
sailor, plying between Europe and America for five years. He then
came to Madison in 1881 to serve his apprenticeship as a carpenter
under his brother, J. A. Swenson, of the firm of Warns & Swenson.
For some four years he worked intermittently at farming and car-
pentering at Stoughton, where he also put in six years clerking in a
store and another year at the same occupation in Sun Prairie. In
1891 he returned to carpentering again, removing to Waukesha as a
railroad carpenter. He did not stay there long, however, but came
back to Madison, going into the employ of his brother J. A. Swenson.
He continued in this position until the present partnership was formed
in 1900. On April 18. 1887, Mr. Swenson led to the altar Miss
Annie E. Ham, a native of Wisconsin, and daughter of H. A. and
Martha Ham, now residents of Stoughton. To this union has been
born one son, Verne A. H. Mr. and Mrs. Swenson are members of
the Presbyterian church. Mr. Swenson is a third degree Mason, a
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Beavers.
He is a finished workman and an industrious, enterprising and cheer-
ful citizen. His home and its surroundings are worthy of emulation.

George W. Swenson, postmaster and general merchant in the
little village of Klevenville, is a native of Norway. He was born
in Telemarken, Askenaud. June 24. 1860, and came to America
with his father when he was about four years old. He was the

BIOGRAPHICAL. 87:1

youngest of a family of nine children of whom only three are living,
— Reguild, widow of Andrew Goodmanson, of Fertile, Worth
county, Iowa; Jerjan, of Forestville, Iowa, and George W., the
subject of this sketch. The mother died in Norway and the father,
Swen Swenson, settled in Perry, Dane county, about 1864. He was
a teacher in his native land, but adapted himself to the conditions
of a new country and followed farming and employed himself wtih
mason work as necessity demanded, until his death in 1875.
George W., was reared in the town of Perry, Dane county, and in
Rudd, Iowa, and attended the public schools and later the North-
western Business College of Madison. He began life for himself
as a clerk and book-keeper at Mt. Vernon. Later he followed the
same occupation at Alt. Horeb until 1885. In 1886 he received the
appointment as postmaster at Mt. Vernon and he remained at that
place until 1891 when he came to Klevenville and entered into a
partnership with Iver Kleven ; three years later (1894) he bought
out his partner and has since been sole proprietor of the business.
He carries a good line of general merchandise, hardware, groceries,
dry goods and boots and shoes. April 3, 1895, he was married to
Inger Kleven, of Springdale, daughter of Iver Kleven, who now re-
sides at Madison. They have three children, Ivester Mabel, Grace
Alpha and Irene Alena. Mr. Swenson has always taken an active
interest in local politics and has served as postmaster of Kleven-
ville since 1891, with the exception of one term of four years when
the position was held by his father-in-law, Iver Kleven. He has
been justice of the peace since locating in Klevenville, was town
clerk in 1897-98, served as census enumerator in 1900 and at the
present time is serving as clerk of the school district. He was in-
strumental in organizing joint district number 9, and carried his
point against great opposition. The school district was organized
in 1899 out of territory belonging to five other districts, all of which
appealed to the state superintendent. Mr. Swenson has always
been connected with the Republican party and has been chairman
of the town organization for four years ; he was also a delegate to
the Republican state convention in 190-4. He belongs to the order
of F. and A. M. at Mt. Horeb, and is a member of the Lutheran
church.

Ole C. Swenson, a well known and successful carpenter and
builder of Stoughton, claims the fair land of Norway as the place of
his nativity, having there been born August 24, 1844, and being a son
of Swen and Martha (Pederstatter) Nelson. He was reared and edu-
cated in Norway, where also he learned the blacksmith trade. In

874 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

1868, at the age of twenty-four years, he bade adieu to home and na-
tive land and came to America, making- Stoughton his objective point.
In the autumn of that year he entered the employ of T. G. Mandt, who
later organized the present Mandt Manufacturing Company, and lie
remaned with this concern nine years, at the expiration of which he
turned bis attention to the carpenter's trade, which he has since con-
tinued to follow in this city, except for an interval of four months
passed in Minnesota and fifteen months in Chicago. In 1904 he
erected Irs own handsome residence, in Harrison street, at a cost of
three thousand dollars. For eight years he was in the employ of
F. G. Hill, and since 1902 he has been one of the valued employes of
Morten Christensen. one of the prominent contractors of Stoughton.
In politics he gives his support to the Republican cause and he and
his family hold membership in the Norwegian Lutheran church. In
1874 Mr. Swenson married Miss Dora Forthun, of Stoughton, and
they became the parents of six children, — Lovena, Annie (deceased)
Helmer. Orvin, Eda and Raymond.

William R. Swenson, carpenter and contractor, and member of
the firm of Swenson Brothers, was born in Norway, November 3,
1864. He is a son of John and Sonnov (Wesnes) Swenson, for a brief
outline of whose lives see the sketch of Andrew W. Swenson in this
volume. William R. Swenson was educated in the Christiania, Nor-
way, common and high schools, and then entered life as a sailor, con-
tinuing in that occupation for five years. He has visited Russia,
Denmark, Holland, Germany, France, England, Ireland, and Scotland.
When he touched the s'hores of America he determined to make this
country his home, and in 1882 came directly to Stoughton. His first
labor was that of a farm hand, and then he accepted a position as a
clerk in a Stoughton store, remaining there some seven years. He
worked at his trade in the summer and clerked during the winter
months. For a year he was employed in Milwaukee as a railroad
carpenter and subsequently for the shipyard in that city. In 1893 he
returned to Madison and went to work for his brother, continuing in
that occupation until the present partnership was established. The
firm has done a great deal of business in Madison, and the surround
ing towns, and that it has been satisfactory is evidenced by the
increase of business from year to year. In 1885 Mr. Swenson
married Miss Hansine Anderson, a native of Norway who came to the
United States in 1883. Her parents, John and Hannah (Hokins)
Anderson, still reside in Norway. Airs. Swenson is the eldest of
the seven children in the1 family. Of the others. Alice is the wife of
Christ Hansen and lives in South Dakota; Morris is a farmer near

BIOGRAPHICAL. 875

Edgerton, Rock county; Carl is employed by the Knickerbocker Ice
company at Williams Bay ; Inga ; Lena is married and has four
children, and Bert lives in Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Swenson have
had five children. Sigurd, the first born, died when but two years of
age. Sigurd J., the second child, is now a tinsmith in Madison ; and
Eleanor L., Ruth Elizabeth and Anna Maria Pauline are at home.
The family are members of the Trinity Lutheran church. Mr. Swen-
son is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons. He is a man of
excellent judgment, sound business sense and* genial, courteous
manner.

Matthew J. Tappins, secretary of the state board of control, was
born in Iowa county, Wis., May 2, 1863. His parents, George and
Ellen (Flannery) Tappins, were both natives of Ireland, the fa-
ther coming to this country in 1841 and settling in Benton, Wis.
His occupation was that of farmer and he continued in it until his
retirement in 1896. He now makes his home in Avoca, and al-
though he has passed the seventy-third milestone he is still hale
and hearty. His wife died in 1893 at the age of fifty-six. She was
a devout member of the Catholic church, as is her husband today.
Of their six children five are still living. The subject of this
sketch finished his preparatory education in the Highland high
school. After the completion of his academic studies he taught for
several years and was eminently successful. In the fall of 1884,
when Mr. Tappins was but twenty-one, he was elected circuit clerk
of Iowa county, which position he held for ten successive years,
in 1894 he entered the office of Spensely & Mcllhan at Mineral
Point for the purpose of studying law. After eight months he be-
came assistant cashier in a Dodgeville bank ; he had been there but
three months when he was appointed (December 1, 1895) assist-
ant secretary of the state board of control and on the 10th day of
March, 1898, was elected by the board as its secretary. The effi-
ciency of his work in that capacity is attested by his successive
service there through the many changes of administration. On
March 8, 1888. he married Miss Anna Noble, a daughter of Richard
and Louisa (Corbin) Noble of Dodgeville. Mr. Noble is now de-
ceased, and his wife is a resident of Denver, Colo. To Mr. and Mrs.
Tappins have been born four children. — Garold fames. Homer,
Noble L., and an unnamed baby. Mrs. Tappins is a member of the
Christ Presbyterian church of Madison. Mr. Tappins belongs to
the Knights of Pythias.

Werner Tasher, a farmer and breeder of high grade and thor-
■ouehbred stock, whose farm is near Mount Vernon, was horn in the

.-,; HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

i. w n i f Primrose, December 13. [866. His parents, John and Mary
i Elmer) Tasher, wen natives of Switzerland who came to this country
in the latter part of the titties, landing- in New York. They came west
by way of the Eric canal and the Great Lakes. Mrs. Tasher (then
Miss Elmer) joined the Swiss colony, at Xew Glarus, Green county,
and Mr. Tasher made his way to Sank county, Wis., where he worked
for Judge Siebecker's father. From Sauk county he went to Green
county, there married, and subsequently the family removed to Dane
count v and in January, 1866, moved onto the farm which the subject
of this sketch now conducts. Here the father remained until within
two years of his death, which occurred at New Glarus, Wis., July 9,
1898. The mother died October 30, 1890. Werner Tasher was but six
weeks old when his parents moved to the farm where he now resides.
His scholastic education was received in the district schools of Prim-
rose and the Mount Vernon institution and he immediately took up the
vocation of farming when he had completed his course. He has fol-
lowed that calling" all his life. In time the father's farm came into his
hands, he being the only survivor of a family of three children. The
place contains some three hundred and twenty-five acres and is devoted
chiefly to the raising of blooded stock and dairying. Mr. Tasher is
the owner of the Clyde stallion. Rustic Prince, registered No. n 583.
In politics Mr. Tasher is a Democrat and now the representative of his
town on the county board of supervisors, a position which his father
held many years before him. In religious matters he is associated
with the Reform church. On March 2, 1893, ^ie married Fredericka,
daughter of William and Caroline (Bortlung) Schettler, an:l a native
of Springdale. The parents were both natives of Germany and the
father was a soldier in the Union army, participating in Sherman's
march to the sea. Mr. and Mrs. Tasher have four children, Mary M.
Emil.ne E., and Iva A. and Eva E., twins. The Tasher home, known
as the Sugar River Valley Farm, is beautifully located and one of the
best equipped places in the county.

Charles A. Taylor, a genial conductor in the employ of the Chi-
cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, is a native of Iowa county.
Wis. His parents were John and Mary (Pullis) Taylor, the for-
mer a native of New York state and the latter of Pennsylvania, who
came to Wisconsin early in its history. John Taylor was one of
the many Wisconsin men who offered their services to assist in
preserving the union. He enlisted at Highland, August 21, 1862,
in the Thirty-third Wisconsin infantry. This regiment was re-
cruited principally from Green. Kenosha, Rock and La Fayette
counties and its organization was completed at Camp Utley, Racine,

BIOGRAPHICAL. 877

under the superintendence of Col. Jonathan B. Moore, its command-
ing officer. It entered the United States service on October 18,
1862, and less than a month later (November 12, 1862) left the state,
via Chicago and Cairo, 111., for Memphis, where it arrived on
November 16. Here it was assigned to a brigade in Lauman's
division of Sherman's wing of the Army of the Tennessee and par-
ticipated in Grant's movement toward Jackson, Miss., leaving Mem-
phis ten days after its arrival with ten days rations and one hundred
rounds of ammunition per man. Sherman had the advance and
when his command arrived at Wyatt it was ordered back to engage
in the campaign against Vicksburg. Later the Thirty-third went
into winter quarters at Moscow and while there was transferred,
with Lauman's division, to the Sixteenth Army Corps under Gen-
eral Hurlburt. In April, 1863, the Thirty-third participated in the
Coldwater expedition under Col. George E. Bryant of the Twelfth
Wisconsin. The following month the regiment was thrown to the
rear of Vicksburg, being stationed at the extreme left. There it
remained until after the capitulation of the city on July 4. The
next engagement of the Thirty-third was the second battle of Jack-
son. In February, 1864, it formed a part of Sherman.s Meridian
expedition, marching three hundred and seventy miles in twenty-
nine days. The same year Banks' Red river expedition was under-
taken and Moore's regiment formed an integral part of the move-
ment. At Nashville and Spanish Fort the Thirty-third partici-
pated, at the latter place being the first regiment to enter the
stronghold, capturing two Napoleon guns and a number of prison-
ers. August 8, 1865, tho regiment was mustered out at Vicksburg
and a week later reached Madison. John Taylor was never seri-
ously wounded nor taken prisoner, although his eye sight was seri-
ously impaired. He passed away March 28, 1903, at the age of
eighty-two. His wife died November 1, 1887 at the age of fifty-
seven. They had four children.— George, employed by the Fair-
banks-Morse company of Beloit ; La Fayette, in the livery business
in Milwaukee; Charles A., the subject of this sketch ; and Jane, who
married John De Lany of Montfort, Wis., and died in 1892, aged
twenty-six. Charles A. Taylor was born June 20. 1861. and was edu-
cated in the public schools of Avoca and upon the completion of
his studies he went to work on his father's farm. At the age of
twenty-four his career as a railroad man was begun. For ten years
he served as a brakeman and saw many of the modern conven-
iences and appliances come into use. On February 13, 1892, he
was made a conductor and has ever since been one of the most

878 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

trusted and skillful employes of the company. On April 14, 1884
Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Hilda M., daughter of Wil-
liam and Mary (Lieber) Nebel, residents of Prairie du Chien, Wis.
Mr. Nebel was a piano tuner and repairer, having learned his trad?
in Germany. Years ago, before there was a railroad in that section
of the country. Mr. Xebel was a merchant in Sauk City. He' was
born in Germany, March 2, 1821, and died April 11, 1906. Mrs. Nebel
was born in the same country on December 17, 1838. Mrs. Taylor
is one of four living children, of whom she .is the oldest. Henry
Nebel is a traveling salesman for a La Crosse clothing firm and
makes his home in Prairie du Chien, Wis.; Oscar and Leo Nebel
are engaged in the poultry business in Worthington, Minn. To Mr.
and Mrs. Taylor have been born three children: Henry Charles,
employed by the Alford Brothers' laundry company ; Alma Alida,
a milliner; and Hazel May a student in the third year class of the
Madison high school. The family are all attendants of the First
Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Taylor is a member of Madison
Division No. 82, Order of Railway Conductors. He weighs two
hundred and twenty-five pounds and is a fine specimen of vigor-
ous manhood.

Herbert J. Taylor, who lives upon the farm reclaimed from the
wilderness by his father, John A. Taylor, an early settler of Dane
county, is one of the well-known members of the community. To-
gether with his sister Carrie he owns an 1 operates the farm upon
which they were born and does a general farming business. John A.
Taylor, their father, was born in Mad. son, Madison county, N. Y.
March 31, 1817, son of Nathan Taylor, whose father and grandfather
bore the same name and resided in Connecticut colony. John A. Tay-
lor was educated in New York and married Miss Frutilla F. Fergu-
son, who was born in Oriskany Falls, N. Y. January 28, 1824, daugh-
ter of Daniel K. and Gertrude (Casety) Ferguson, who came to Sun
Prairie in 1846 and there spent the residue of their lives. Gertrude
Casety 's father, Thomas, was prominent in the Oriskany Falls settle-
ment in its earl)- history and owned a grist-mill and practiced law.
.Mr. and .Mrs. John Taylor came to Sun Prairie township in 1845 and
[846, obtained a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which they
cleared and improved, sharing in the deprivations and struggles of the
new community- Mr. Taylor lived until 1888 and his wife until 1905.
Eight children were born to them; William, deceased: Rosalie; Julia
and I lenry, deceased; Carrie who lives on the old homestead with her
brother Herbert; Lenora, Herbert and Albert. Herbert was born in
the town of Sun Prairie. September 16, i860, attended school in Sun

BIOGRAPHICAL. 879

Prairie and has always been a farmer. He is a Republican in his po-
litical affiliations but is not an office-holder at present. Carrie Taylor
is a member of the Presbyterian church.

James Wr Taylor, a retired farmer of Dane county, Wis., residing
on a farm in Bristol, section 2, was born in New York city, January
22, 1853. His parents, James and Maria (Vincent) Taylor, were also
born in New York city, the father dying- there when his son was but a
mere child. His mother was a daughter of Gilbert Vincent, an early
settler of Kenosha county where both he and his wife are buried. STie
moved to Windsor about 1869 and died there three years later. James
was her only child. He was educated in New York state and in
Kenosha county. Wis. He has always been a farmer and at present
owns eighty acres of land. At one time he owned a farm of one hun-
dred and sixty acres in Windsor. Although not now actively engaged
in the tillage of the soil he still glories in the profession which he has
made his life work. He was married January 21. 1859, to Miss Ma-
hala Van Kleek, the daughter of James and Jane (Vanderwarker)
Van Kleek, both of whom were natives of New York state. She was
born in New York, November 3, 1839. Her parents moved to Sun
Prairie in 1845 an^ b°tn died there, the father in 1887 and the mother
in 1896. They had eight children, three of whom are living. James
Van Kleek was a strong Republican and he and his wife were mem-
bers of the Methodist church. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have seven chil-
dren as follows: Ida Estella, Frank E., Lida M. (deceased), Elmer J..
Mabel M., Jennie L, Clarence R. Both Mr. Taylor and his wife are
members of the Methodist church. In politics Mr. Taylor is a Repub-
lican and he has served his party as constable at Windsor.

Richard F. Taylor, senior member of the well-known and pros-
perous firm of Taylor & Gleason, printers and bookbinders, was born
in Leicestershire, England. April 2, 1848. His parents, James F. arid
Sarah (Chatwin) Taylor were both natives of. the British Isles, where
the father was a grocer. In May, 1856, James F. Taylor came to the
United States and located on a farm in Dane county. A few years
later he entered the employ of the R. K. Findlay (later the Alex. Find-
lay) grocery company of Madison. He died in 1877 at the age of
sixty-four and his wife passed away three years later. Both were
members of the Church of England. Of their six children five are still
living. James F. lives in Waunakee ; Arthur died at the age of thirty-
two; William H. resides in Oregon; Sarah E. is the wife of John F.
Farrell of Gladstone, Mich. ; John E. makes his home in Milwaukee.
Richard F. Tavlor received the limited education afforded by the dis-
trict schools and at the age of fifteen went to work in a printing office

sMi HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

after having served an apprenticeship on the farm. Since 1864 he
has been continuously engaged in the same business with marked suc-
cess. The firm employs four operators and is busy the year around.
Mr. Taylor served in the common council of the city of Mkdison for
six years and for the past ten years has been city assessor. That he is
absolutely square and honest in his dealings with his fellow cit'zens
there is not the shadow of a doubt. His election to positions of trust
is further evidence of the confidence in which he is held. On January
I, 1872, he married Catharine, daughter of Patrick and Bridget Dacey
of Madison, and to this union have been born five children, Louis R., a
machinist, who married Anna Kingston and has two children, Eliza-
beth and Mary : Edwin, died at the age of twenty-two ; Daisy, wife of
Geo. F. Esser of Madison ; Lillian, a graduate of the University of
"Wisconsin and a teacher in Elroy, Wis. ; and Joseph, who has just
completed his first year in the University of Wisconsin. The family
are members of the Catholic church and the father of the Catholic
Knights of Wisconsin.

Thomas G. Taylor has always been a farmer and since 1850 has
been a resident of the town of Dunkirk, where he has been prominent
in the community for many years. His father, Israel A. Taylor, was
a native of Massachusetts and married Miss Eliza Webb, who was
born in Connecticut, daughter of Joshua Webb, who settled on a farm
in Rock count}-, Wis., in 1842, and made that his home until his death.
Israel A. Taylor was also a pioneer farmer of Porter, Rock county,
Wis. but in 1850 moved with his family to Dunkirk, where he pur-
chased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which he cleared and
improved and made his permanent home. In later life he sold the
farm to his children and made his home with his son Thomas, where
he died in 1872, nearly eighty years of age. He left three children;
Thomas G., Harriet who is the wife of Hiram W. Upton, and Edward
J. Thomas G. was born May 20, 1830, in Cattaraugus county, N. Y.,
attended school in New York and accompanied his father to Rock
county and thence to> Dane county. In 1871 he purchased his present
property, a farm of one hundred and fifty acres, upon which he has
made many improvements and erected substantial farm buildings.
In 1858, he married Miss Lucy D. Upton, daughter of John and Lucy
Upton of Massachusetts. Six children have blessed the marriage;
John Everett, William G., Edward A., Carrie L., Nellie, who married
Dwight Haw-ley. and Mabel (deceased), wife of Thomas El wood.
Mr. Taylor is a stanch supporter of the Universalist church and a
regular attendent upon its services. He is also an ardent sympathizer

BIOGRAPHICAL. 881

with the Prohibition movement but on national" issues votes the Re-
publican ticket..

William H. Taylor, who merits consideration in this publication
as one of the sterling pioneers of Cross Plains township, where he is
the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of most productive land, is
a native of England, having been born in Sussex county, February 5,
1825, and in that county also were born his parents, Jesse and Eliza-
beth (Billings) Taylor, the latter of whom: died there, in 1835. Of the
nine children of this union only the subject of this review is now liv-
ing. In 1835, soon after the death of his wife, Jesse Taylor came
with his children to America, making the trip on a sailing vessel and
being on the ocean seven weeks and two days. There were two hun-
dred persons on board and the voyage was a very rough one., the ves-
sel having narrowly escaped being wrecked. Mr. Taylor and his fam-
ily disembarked in Xew York city and thence removed to Henrietta
township, Monroe count}-, that state, where the father passed the re-
mainder of his life, Irs death occurring in 1854. His second wife was
a widow bearing the name of Durand, and after her death he married
Mary Jones; of Monroe county, three children having been born of
this union and two of the number surviving, Edward and Lucy Ann.
The father was a member of the Baptist church. Two of his brothers
were soldiers in the English army and he himself was a member of the
militia for some time. William H. Taylor was reared in Monroe
county, Xew York, where he received such educational advantages as
were afforded in the common schools, which he attended for but a lim-
ited period. Ait the age of fourteen years he began to depend upon his
own resources, finding employment at farm work, and he continued a
resident of the old Empire state of the Union until 1846, when he
started for the west, making Wisconsin his destination. His brother,
James W., had located in Jefferson county, this state, in the preceding
.ear, and having thence removed to Middleton township, Dane county,
where he was joined by William H. The latter took up his
residence in the same township, remainng five and one-half years,
rl ring three of which he maintained his home in the village of Mid-
dleton. He thereafter passed one year in Springfield township and
six months in Berry township, and then took up his abode in Cross
Plains township, where he has since made his home. Here he secured
two hundred acres of wild land, in sections 8 and 17, the same being
a portion of his present fine homestead of two hundred and eighty
acres, and here he has reclaimed from the forest one of those fine farms
which have given to Dane county so high a reputation in connection
56 — iii

882 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

with the agricultural and allied interests of the state. He has resided
on the homestead since 1853, and all the improvements have been made
by him since he came into possession of the property. He has given
his attention to diversified agriculture and to dairying and stock-grow-
ing, and is a citizen who has ever merited the unqualified respect and
esteem which are so uniformly accorded him in the community. He
is a Republican in his political adherency but has never desired public
office, the only position in which he has consented to serve having
been that of clerk of his school district. He and his wife are zealous
members oT the Methodist Episcopal church. March 29, 1849, was
solemnized the marriage of Mr. Taylor to' Mfiss Elizabeth A. Simpson,
who was born and reared in England, being the eldest of the five sur-
viving children of James and Ann (Burton) Simpson, both of whom
were born in England. They came to America in 1845, m which year
they took up their residence in Cross Plains township, where the fa-
ther became a pioneer farmer, his death here occurring in 1866, while
his wife passed away in 1882. They became the parents of ten chil-
dren, of whom those surviving are: Elizabeth A. (Mrs. Taylor),
Francis J., Eliza S., Rhoda R. and James W. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor
have seven children, namely : Edmund Orville, who is a resident of
Kansas ; William Eugene, who resides in Douglas county, Missouri ;
Charles Walter, who has charge of the old homestead farm ; George
Raymond, who resides in Taylor county; Mary Elizabeth, who is a res-
ident of Berry township; Matilda Ellen, who remains at the parental
home, being a teacher by vocation ; and Howard Elmer, who is now a
resident of Shellville, Sonoma county, California.

Albert M. Techam is a prosperous farmer of Middleton and is of
German origin. His father. Henry Techam came to America in
his early youth and was brought up on a farm in the town of Mid-
dleton. Here he lived until he was eighteen years old when he
bought two hundred and forty acres of land, upon which his son
Albert now resides. Henry Techam has retired ^from active farm-
ing and has now a comfortable home in Middleton. He is a mem-
ber of the German Lutheran church as is also his son. Mr. Techam
and his wife, Mary A. B. Techam, have two children; Albert and
Josephine, the wife of Otto Niebuhr of Middleton. Mr. Techam is
a Democrat and has held the office of constable. Albert Techam
was born August 23, 1878, attended the home schools and early be-
came interested in the work of the farm, which he has since carried
on. He is also a Democrat but not a strong party man, believing
in securing the best possible administration of local affairs by men
of either party. August 16, 1809, he married Miss Minnie Denner,

BIOGRAPHICAL. 883

daughter of John and Catherine Denner, natives of Germany.
Mrs. Denner is a widow and resides with her daughter. Mr. and
Mrs. Techam have one daughter, Edna,, six years of age. Mr.
Techam has always been interested in the diseases and treatment
of stock and in October, 1905, decided to pursue a course in veteri-
nary surgery.

John Techam, a retired farmer of Middleton, Wis., is the owner
of a fine farm of two hundred and thirty acres in the vicinity of
Middleton which he operated until recent years. Mr. and Mrs.
Fritz Techam, his parents were born in Mecklenburg-Schwerin
and remained there until after their marriage. Fritz Techam was
a weaver and a farmer. With their family they started for Amer-
ica in 1853 and arrived in New York city after a terrible voyage of
nine weeks during which they narrowly escaped shipwreck. De-
ciding to locate at Middleton. Wis. Mr. Techham obtained two
hundred and forty acres of wild land, which he proceeded to clear
and make habitable. His work and improvements made the land
valuable and he occupied it until his death in 1883. Mrs. Techam
died in 1853. Of their four children three are living; John. Mary
and Henry, all of Middleton, Wis. Fritz Techham was a Demo-
crat and a rnember of the German Lutheran church. John Techam
was born October 29. 1846 and had but little opportunity to attend
school, working on the farm at home until he was twenty-seven
years old. In January. 1874, he married Miss Luzetta Willenberg,
a native of Holstein, Germany, and after their marriage the young
couple resided in Verona where they obtained one hundred and
forty acres of land. This farm was their home for nine years after
which it was sold and they purchased a farm near Middleton, often
called the old Bailey place, which has since been their home. This
large and valuable farm is all under cultivation, many improve-
ments have been made and a handsome new house built in 1902.
Mrs. Techam died in April. 1895, leaving five children ; Louisa, now
the wife of Chas. Albrecht of Verona ; Amanda, Mrs. August Nie-
buhr of Middleton ; Frederick, who married Miss Lena Schuelburg
and lives in Middleton; Fannie, who keeps house for her father;
Carrie and Hilda who also live at home. The children were
educated in the district schools. Mr. Techam is a Democrat in his
political sympathies and has held the office of school treasurer and
other local offices. He is a member of the Evangelical Association.

William J. Teckemeyer, president of the Teckemeyer Candy com-
pany of Madison, was born in St. Louis, Mo., October 24, 1857. His
parents were Henry and Mary (Meyer) Teckemeyer, natives of Prus-

884 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

s:a, Germany. The mother died about 1870 at the age of thirty-five
and the father was buried On his seventy-first birthday, April 17, 1905.
William J. Teckemeyer received his education in the parochial and
public schools of St. Louis. For a few years he served as clerk in a
wholesale grocery house in that city and in 1882 came to Madison,
and in 1888 he organized a confectionery company. The firm name
was Teckemeyer & Kurz, but upon Mr. Kurz's death in 1896 he as-
sumed the management of the whole concern and incorporated the
business under the name of the Teckemeyer Candy Co. A son, H. O.,
is the vice-president of the company, and a brother, Edward H., is
secretary. The business is increasing rapidly, and the firm employs
four men as traveling salesmen. Mr. Teckemeyer has been twice mar-
ried. His first wife was Miss Charlotte Owens, a native of St. Louis,
by whom he had one son, H. O. now vice-president of the company.
Airs. Teckemeyer died in 1889 at the age of thirty-two. Mr. Tecke-
meyer's second marriage was to Miss Emma O. Brendler, a native of
Cross Plains, Dane county. TIiqv have three children, — Russell
Arthur, A'dolph Otto, and Oscar William. The wife is a member of
the German Lutheran church. Mr. Teckemeyer is a member of the
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the Ancient Order
of United Workmen. Mrs. Teckemeyer's parents were Michael and
Elenora Brendler, the father a merchant and farmer of the town of
Cross Plains. Mr. Brendler is dead, but his wife still lives, making
her home in Milwaukee.

C. O. Tellefson & Son carry on a thriving general merchandise
business in the village of Rockdale and also deal in all kinds of farm
produce. Charles O. Tellefson worked for his father until 1877 when
he went into partnership with S. Bronty and after two years started
in business as a partner of his father. He was born in Rockdale,
Dane county, in September, 1856, and received his education in the
schools of that district. His father, Chester Tellefson, was a native
of Norway and came to x\merica in 1843. A >'ear was spent at Water -
ford, Wis. and at the end of that time the young man returned to Nor-
way to bring his parents to Wisconsin. On their arrival the family
located at Albion and Chester worked out on farms for a time and then
entered the store of Daniel Davidson as clerk. For four years he
worked at Cambridge and then opened a general store at Rockdale in
[853 which he continued until 1879 when he took his son Charles O.
as partner. Chester Tellefson was prominent in local matters, served
as school treasurer, was elected justice of the peace and appointed
postmaster of Rockdale. He was a stanch Democrat. Eleven chil-
dren were born to Chester Tellefson and his wife, Haga (Asmonson)

BIOGRAPHICAL. 885

Tellefson, also a native of Norway. Eight are now living; Serena is
Mrs. John Halverson of Rockdale ; Charles O. is the oldest son ; Theo
is a furniture dealer and undertaker of Rockdale ; Louisa is married
to George Lien and lives in Granite Falls, Minn. ; Hannah is Mrs.
Martin Lien of Rockdale ; Amelia is Mrs. Ed. Ellingson of Edgerton ;
Henry is in partnership with his brother Theo at Edgerton, Wis. ;
Ella is Mrs. Olson of Rockdale. Chester Tellefson died in 1889 and
his wife lives in Rockdale. Charles O. married, Mjarch 9, 1878, Miss
Sena Anderson, daughter of Amond Anderson, of Norway, who came
to Albion in the early days and lived on a farm. Seven children
blessed the marriage. Adolph, the oldest son, is his father's partner
in the store ; Harlow has a butcher shop in Rockdale, his wife is Stella
(Anderson) and they have one daughter, Verna ; Mjarcus died in in-
fancy and the next son, also named Marcus, is employed in Milwau-
kee as a machinist : Reuben, Clara and Ralph are the younger ones.
The children of the family attended the Rockdale schools and the
Albion academy, and all are members of the Evangelical Lutheran
church of Rockdale. Mr. Tellefson is active in local politics, a mem-
ber of the Democratic party, and has been justice of the peace, school
treasurer and chairman of the town for two years. He succeeded
his father as postmaster of Rockdale.

Theo. Tellefson, undertaker and furniture dealer of Rockdale, is a
son of Chester and Haga (Asmonson) Tellefson, who came from
Norway in 1846, and a brother of Charles O. Tellefson of the firm
of C. O. Tellefson & Son, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere.
He was born in Rockdale, Dane county. Wis., August 15, 1858, at-
tended the home schools and obtained his first business experience
associated with his brother Charles in his store and in the tobacco
business. He worked for his brother from 1883 to 1892 and then
opened the store which he now owns in Rockdale, where he carries
a fine line of furniture, carpets, pianos, etc. Theo. and his brother
Henry have been associated in business for some time and in 1900
started a furniture and undertaking establishment at Edgerton, in
which they have been very successful. The firm is Theo. Tellefson
& Brother. In recent years Mr. Tellefson has enlarged the stock
carried in Rockdale until it now includes all kinds of farm machin-
ery and he has taken his son Chester into partnership with him.
Theo. Tellefson was married November 22, 1882, to Miss Mary
Clachan, daughter of Andrew and Isabela Clachan, who came from
Scotland to Jefferson county in the early days. Mr. Clachan died
in 1892 and Mrs. Clachan lives in Cambridge. Five children make
up the family circle of Mr. and Mrs. Tellefson. Isabella was grad-

Sls(i HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

uated from the high school at Cambridge and subsequently from the
Gregg school of shorthand and typewriting in Chicago, with the class
of 1903. She is now employed by the firm of Donnelly & Son in Chi-
cago. Chester is in partnership with his father. Genevieve, Bernice
and Wesley remain with their parents in Rockdale. The family is
identified with the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church of
Rockdale, of which Mr. Tellefson has been treasurer since its or-
ganization in 1892. He has also served as town clerk and is a
Democrat in his political sympathies.

Andrew A. Tenjum is a well-known business man of De Forest
who has for some years been engaged in the purchase of tobacco from
the farmers. He is a native of Dane county and his parents,
Andrew P. and Carrie (Anderson) Tenjum, were born in Norway in
1825 and 1827 and came to Dane county in 1856, where they located
upon a farm. Their home consisted of a farm of one hundred and ten
acres, in the town of Pleasant Springs, which they cleared and im-
proved and made their residence for many years. Mr. Tenjum now
lives in Stoughton. Mrs. Tenjum died in 1868 and Mr. Tenjum mar-
ried MSss Anna Peterson. Six children were born to the first mar-
riage, of whom five are living, and six to the second marriage, of whom
four are living. Andrew A. was born in Pleasant Springs, August 2,
1858. received his early education in the district schools and early en-
gaged in farming. For a few years he worked out by the month and
then rented a farm upon which he engaged in tobacco growing. Later
he purchased a farm in Norway Grove and operated it for some years.
In recent years he has engaged in the purchase of tobacco' and sold
his farm in Norway Grove. In political sympathy Mr. Tenjum is a
Republican and is a member of the village council. He was school
clerk for three years in Vienna and is now clerk of the Windsor town-
ship free high school. January 31, 1886, he married Miss Carrie Kal-
land. who was born in Norway. July 25, 1863, daughter of Sjur and
Carrie Kalland. who came from Norway to Stoughton in 1870 and
there spent the residue of their lives. To Mr. and Mrs. Tenjum were
born three children ; Clara Louise, who is a senior in the Windsor
township high school; Sine Christina, who attends the same school and
Adolph John, who is in the graded school. Mrs. Tenjum died Feb-
ruary 25, 1902. The family is identified with the Norway Grove
Lutheran church, of which Mr. Tenjum has been trustee and treas-
urer.

Charles H. Tenney is a member of the well-known and influential
firm of Tenney, Hall & Tenney. attorneys, and is a direct descendant
of Daniel and Sylvia (Kent) Tenney. The earlier history of the

BIOGRAPHICAL. 887

family is found in connection with sketch of Daniel Kent Tenney and
the incidents in connection with the life of Horace A. Tenney, paternal
grandfather of Charles H. are given in the sketch under his name.
CTiarles Kent Tenney, father of Charles H., the first son and second
child of Horace A. and Juliette (Chaney) Tenney, was horn in Madi-
son, April 19, 1848. He was married in Jancsville, Sept. 28, 1870, to
Miss Anna Baldwin, daughter of Jonathan and El:za Baldwin, a native
of Everett, Mass., born April 26, 1847. He is an attorney by profes-
sion and a resident of his native city. A recently published sketch
says of him: "'He was educated at the University of Wisconsin, and
like many other good men served his term in the State Journal office.
Hp studied law with H. W. and D. K. Tenney and was for four years
city attorney. M|r. Tenney is legal adviser to many interests and
many fraternal orders do not consider the meeting constitutionally
under way until this Xestor of right procedure is present." He has
practiced law in Madison for thirty-eight years. The three children
of Mir. and Mrs. C. K. Tenney were all born in Madison ; of these
Chales H., the subject of this sketch, is the oldest and was born Au-
gust 1, 1871 ; of the others, Fred B., born September 15, 1872, died
October 9, of the same year, and the youngest, William D., born Octo-
ber 21, 1873, is a resident of Madison and connected with the Madi-
son lumber company. Charles H. Tenney was educated in the Madi-
son public schools and the University of Madison and was graduated
from the law department of the latter in 1896. He practiced under
his own name until 1898 when ho became associated with his uncle,
D. Iv. Tenney. F. W. Hall afterward joined the partnership and
that business relation is maintained up to the present time. Mr. Ten-
ney practices in the state' and Federal courts, and besides his general
law practce is interested in the Virginia Land & Improvement Co.
As a representative of a family largely devoted to the legal profession
the "family traditions are not likely to fail in his keeping, as he is one
of the most popular and promising of the younger attorneys of Mad-
ison. He is fond of out-door life, is secretary of the boat club and a
member of the Maple Bluff golf club, and spends his summers in his
cottage on the shores of Lake Mendota, driving back and forth to his
work in the city. Mr. Tenney was married October 22, 1902, to Miss
Elizabeth M. Abbott, the daughter of H. W. and Helen P. Abbott,
of Baraboo. Mrs. Abbott died September 1, 1901, aged fifty-five
years, and her husband still makes his home in Baraboo. Mrs.
Tenney is a member of the Episcopalian church and was, before her
marriage, a very successful teacher in the state school for the blind,

■$$$ HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

at Janesvlle, and still retains a large interest in all educational mat-
ters.

Daniel Kent Tenney, senior member of the law firm of Tenney,
Hall & Tenney, is a descendant of an old English family the dis-
cription of whose coat of arms reads as follows, "Tenney, Salsbury
per Chevron, Sable and Argent, three Griffins' heads erased and
counter-charged," and of the crest, "Griffins' head, couped gules.'
The colonial history of the family began in 1638, when Thomas and
Ann Tenney came to Salem in company with a party of twenty
families in charge of Rev. Ezekiel Rodgers. The following year
with an addition of forty families they formed the settlement of
Rowley, Essex county, about sixteen miles from Salem. The direct
line of descent is as follows : Thomas Tenney, married Ann ;
John, married Mercy Parrot, February 21. 1664; Samuel, married
Sarah Boynton, December 18, 1690; Jonathan, (name of wife and
date of marriage unknown) ; Benjamin, married Susannah Jewett,
probably about 1782; Daniel, married Sylvia Kent, October 2(i,
1815 ; Daniel Kent Tenney, subject of this sketch, born December
31, 1834. The Kent family is also among the earlier colonial fami-
lies, the first representative being Richard Kent, who emigrated
from Ipswich, England, to Massachusetts in 1634 in the "good
ship, Mary and John." In the history of the Indian wars and of
the Revolution the name of Tenney frequently appears. In 1770
John and Nathaniel Tenney were among the signers to the report
of a committee "appointed to consider what measures may be
proper for this town to take in order to prevent the importation of
British manufactures, and encourage our own, and make report to
the town at an adjourned meeting." and Oliver Tenney was one of
the committee of thirteen who drafted the report. In the subse-
quent agitation, protests and setting forth of public grievances, as
well as in the war itself, the Tenneys showed themselves to be of
good fighting material, and the family traditions are supported by
documentary evidence that Benjamin Tenney. the direct ancestor
of D. K. Tenney, took part in the Revolutionary ^Yar. This con-
densed account of the family as well as some other facts have been
taken from the "Genealogy of the Tenney Family," published in
1875, f<>r private distribution. Daniel Tenney. father of D. K.
Tenney, was born February 13. L794, at Temple, X. H. He mar-
ried Sylvia Kent. October 26, 1815, and moved to Grand Isle
comity. \'t.. in LSI!). In 1835 the family started west, Green Bay,
Wisconsin, being the objective point, but the sickness and death
of "lie of the children, Myron, delayed them at Little Falls. N. Y.,

BIOGRAPHICAL. 889

and they never reached their original destination, but halted at
Laporte, Lorain comity, Ohio, not far from Cleveland, which was
the family homestead until the. death of the father, February 1,
1875. The mother died in Thayer, Wilson county, Kansas, July
16, 1877, in her eighty-fifth year. Daniel Tenney was a man of in-
dependent character, and was gen'al, temperate-, ndustrious, honest
and generous, qualities which he has transmitted to his posterity.
He was at one time connected with the Quakers, but he later united
with the Universal church. Daniel Kent Tenney, the youngest
of a family of ten children, was born at Plattsburg, New York,
December 31, 1834, and was less than a year old at the time of the
removal of the family to Ohio. When he was about eight years
■ old he began to learn type-setting at the office of his brothers.
Horace and Henry, who published a paper at Elyria. This train-
ing was not only an excellent substitute for school but was later
the medium of self-support during his college days ; although these,
both at the Western Reserve College and the University of Wis-
consin were cut short by the independent spirit of the young man
who could not brook the arbitrary rule which was deemed neces-
sary in the management of the youth of fifty years ago. Daniel K.
came to Wisconsin in 1850, whither his brothers had preceded him,
and of the life at Madison, and especially as it was conected with
the infant university, he has written entertainingly in "Madison,
Past and Present." His inclinations toward journalism were given
up by the advice of his brother Henry, in whose office at Portage
he began reading law a little later. He continued his studies at
Madison, occupying at the same time the office of deputy clerk of
the circuit court. He was admitted to the bar, December 11, 1855,
just before attaining his majority, and immediately formed a part-
nership with Thomas Hood, then one of the leading attorneys of
Madison. Upon the retirement of Judge Hood in 1856, he was as-
sociated first with Chas. T. Wakeley and then with his brother.
Henry W. Tenney. In 1870 he formed a partnership with John J.
McClellan. and established his business in Chicago. He continued
to practice there for twenty-seven years under the following firm
names: Tenney. McClellan & Tenney; Tenneys, Flower & Aber-
crombie ; Tenney, Flower & Cratty ; Tenney, Flower & Gregory;
Tenney, Bashford & Tenney ; Tenney. Driggs & Hawley ; Tenney.
Church & Hawley ; Tenney, Hawley & Coffeen ; Tenney, McCon-
nell & Coffeen. Mr. Tenney afterward returned to the practice of
law in Madison and has identified himself with the city in his later
years. Flis first partnership after his return in 1897 was with

890 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Briggs and Morgan, and the Following year he became the senior
partner in the firm of Tenney, Hall & Tenney. and at the present
time he is associated with Frank YY. Hall and his nephew,
Charles H. Tenney, and although some changes have been made in
the junior partners, that has been the principal business connection
since 1898. Mr. Tenney 's name is associated with the establish-
ment of Tenney Park, an area of about thirty-four acres with a
frontage on Lake Mendota of four hundred and sixty feet. The
expenses connecting with the improvement of this park has been in
the neighborhood of $20,000 of which Mr. Tenney has assumed
more than one-half. He is a member of the Madison Park and
Pleasure Drive Association, and enters heartily into every project
for improving and beautifying his home city, generously backing
his sentiments by financial aid. He is a public spirited man in the
besl sense, and when questions of public interest have been likely
to fail of solution, as in the case of the city hospital, because of
divided opinions as to means and methods, his temperate views of
the folly of blocking a needful work on account on nonessentials
have carried the day. He has never used these expressions of pub-
lic interest for private and personal ends, but has resolutely avoided
the field of politics. Mr. Tenney is a man of originality and in-
dependence and wields a fearless and trenchant pen and if he had
been less engrossed with business and professional cares, or had car-
ried out his original intention of entering the journalistic life, he
might have met with a wide recogniton in that line. The liberality
of his views on religious and theological matters is well known,
and although he has little use for religious forms, it is at the cant
and hypocricy which too often uses religion as a cloak that his
objections are aimed. Practically he carries out the precepts of
the higher life in regard to honor, honesty and generosity, and it
has been said of him that no man in the city more literally fulfills
the conditions of the Golden Rule. In 1856, Mr. Tenney married
Miss Mary Jane Marston, daughter of Jeremiah Thorndyke and
Miranda Cleves (Dodge) Marston. and two children were born to
them. John, born at Madison, May 15; 1860, and Mary, born April
2, 1863,

Major Horace A. Tenney, one of the early settlers of Madison,
was born in South Island. Grand Isle county. Yt.. February 22,
1820. His father. Daniel Tenney, was born February 13, 1794, at
Temple, N. II.. and his mother, Sylvia (Kent) Tenney. in Dorset,
Yt.. ( Ictober 26, 1792. The earlier history of these two famillies is
given in connection with the sketch of Daniel K. Tennev the

BIOGRAPHICAL. 891

youngest brother and the only survivor of a family of ten children.
The family moved, in 1828. to Plattsburgh, X. Y.. and there Mr.
Tenney spent the rest of his childhood, obtaining his school in-
struction in what was known as the "Old Academy." At the age
of thirteen he began the preparation for his later work as a jour-
nalist by becoming a compositor in the office of the Keeseville,
(N. Y.), Argus. When in May. 1835,' the family moved to Ohio,
he remained behind in the office of the Mohawk Courier, of which
J. A. Noonan, — whose name is familiar to any student of early Wis-
consin history, — was the editor; following this he was successively
employed on the Elyria Democrat, the Ashtabula Sentinel, the
Painsville Telegraph, the Buckeye (Ravenna) Democrat, the Lorain
(Elyria) Standard, the Cleveland Advertiser (now Plaindealer),
and the Columbus Statesman. In the meantime he had been read
ing law and taught school for a short time. In April, 1842, he
returned to Elyria and purchased the Independent Treasury. He
changed the name of the journal to the Lorain Republican and as
editor and proprietor, published it for three years. The following
year, 1843, he was admitted to the bar, and in December was mar-
ried to Juliette P. Chaney, daughter of Charles Chaney, Esq., editor
of the Lorain Standard, of which Mr. Tenney had been in charge
in 1840. In May, 1845, Mr. Tenney began his journey west, mak-
ing the trip from Cleveland to Milwaukee, by way of the Great
Lakes, in five days ; he came from Milwaukee to Madison on horse-
back and shortly after continued his journey across the state to
Mineral Point, by private conveyance and then to Galena, 111., by
stage. Having decided to establish a paper at this point he re-
turned to Ohio to make the necessary preparations. In October,
1845, began the existence of the Galena JefTersonian, under the firm
name of H. A. & H. W. Tenney, the presses and other material
necessary for its issue having been brought overland from Chicago,
by team. Ill health, occasioned by the malarial conditions of a new
country, caused the abandonment of this enterprise the following
year, and Mr. Tenney sold out his interest in the JefTersonian and
purchased a share in the Wisconsin Argus, published in Madison.
He reported the proceedings of the first, and, — in company with
H. W. Tenney, J. Y. Smith and David Lambert, — the journal and
debates of the second constitutional convention, and was, soon
after his coming to Madison, elected as territorial printer. At the
organization of the university in 1848 Mr. Tenney was appointed
to collect a cabinet and was later appointed curator and librarian.
In 1853 he was appointed assistant state geologist and contributed

392 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

to the museum a valuable collection of specimens, which was un-
fortunately lost at the burning of the first Science Hall in 1883.
During all the early years of the development of Madison Mr.
Tenney was an active factor in its growth, interesting himself in
municipal, state and university affairs. Mr. R. \Y. Thwaites. in
speaking of the influence of the press in the early days, and of
Mr. Tenney 's connection with the Argus, and later with the Patriot.
says: "They (the members of the early Wisconsin press) were
men whose names are indissoluably connected with the work of
moulding the young commonwealth. — men whose history is that of
the Wisconsin of their day." Mr. Tenney was a member of the
legislature in 1856 and introduced and helped to secure the passage
of the bill authorizing the erection of the new state capitol, and
also the hospital for the insane and the Main Hall of the Univer-
sity of Wisconsin buildings, and also acted as superintendent in the
construction of the last. He served on numerous important com-
mittees and was appointed comptroller of the state treasury by
Governor Randall. During the Civil War he had charge of Camp
Randall and the fitting out and preparation of Wisconsin regiments
for the field. During the nine months in which he performed the
arduous duties pertaining to this office about 15.000 men were
prepared and equipped and nearly all transferred to active duty in
the field. In July, 1862, he was commissioned paymaster, U. S. A.,
by President Lincoln, and continued in this service, often exposed
to difficulties and dangers, until July, 1864. In 1870, he went to
Chicago and became assistant editor of the Republic, until that
journal changed hands, when he accepted a similar position on the
Chicago Post, remaining there until the great fire of October, 1871.
destroyed the plant. From 1872 to 1874 he was the political editor
of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, and the following year was appointed
chief clerk of the railroad commission of Wisconsin, and in 1878
was the national candidate for congress in the second district. Mr.
Tenney's health was impaired while he was with the army in the
south, and he was compelled to give up active editorial work a good
many years ago. but from his beautiful farm in the western sub-
urbs of Madison he still kept in touch with the world, and was a
Frequent contributor to the press, especially to the papers of Chi-
cago, Milwaukee and Madison. His death, which occurred March
IT L906, at the age of eighty-six. called forth from the press many
appreciative expressions of his personal characteristics and public
services. "lie was a man of strong intellect, a vigorous and pow-
erful writer, active in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the

BIOGRAPHICAL. 893

territory and state, a man who made strong friendships as well as
at times strong" antagonisms." "The record of his services rendered
the public by virtue of the positions he has filled, and his interest
in all matters of public concern, has rarely been surpassed." "His
name will pass into history as one of the remarkable men of his
times." "His work was notable in many ways and of a high order
of efficiency. He held many public positions and move might have
come to him had he sought them, but he was one of the large
mould who served the interests of the public before those of self."
"He was a fine type of the strong upright pioneers who laid so
wisely the foundations of a great state." "His life was an eventful
one, although modest and retiring in his disposition .... ac-
cepting only that tribute which was accorded him as a recognition
of his ability ;" these quotations indicate the place which Major
Tenney had won in public esteem and which he maintained through,
sixty years of citizenship in Madison. Mrs. H. A. Tenney died
twenty-two years ago, and but four of the eight children of the
family survive their father ; they are Charles K. Tenney, the well
known attorney of Madison ; Mrs. J. R. Simms of Racine ; Hor-
ace A., Jr., of Madison, and Arthur R., of Oregon. The dead are
Mrs. Ann Eliza Jackson, wife of Col. Chas. Jackson; Wm. D. ;
George A. ; and Ida Frances.

D. O. Thompson, a prosperous and well known dairyman and
stock raiser of the town of Primrose, was born in Telemarken, Nor-
way, December 12, 1844. His parents were Ole Thompson and
Carrie Thompson, Norwegian immigrants to this country. June 21,
1869, when the subject of this sketch was still young. The family
consisted of the father and mother. D. O. Thompson, and three sis-
ters and one brother. They were poor people. His father was
sixty-three years old and his mother was fifty-three, and D. O.
worked as a hired hand about six years, until he had earned some
money, and he then bought the farm of one hundred and twenty
acres in the town of Primrose, where he still lives, his parents mak-
ing their home with him the remainder of their lives. He received
a common school education in Norway, and that was the extent
of his scholastic training, but he has been very successful in life, a
fact that is evidenced by the extent of his operations since coming
to America. On September 8, 1882, Air. Thompson was united in
marriage to Miss Mary Baker, a daughter of Hon. P. O. Baker, of
Mount Vernon, and this union has been blessed with six children :
Ida, who is the wife of Otto Vogel ; Clara. Dora, Julia, who is the
wife of Peter Schmidt; Palmer and Tohnnie, the latter of whom

894 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

died when three years old. The other children all received their
scholastic acquirements in the Primrose schools. Mrs. Thomp-
son's parents are both living. Mr. Thompson is associated politi-
cally with the Republican party, but he has never consented to
become a candidate for office, and he is a communicant of the
Lutheran church. He has been a resident of the town of Prim-
rose for more than thirty years, and he is respected in all sections
for lis integrity, enterprise and sincerity of purpose.

G. A. Thompson is one of the progressive farmers of the younger
generation in the town of Blue Mounds, and all of his life has been
spent as a resident of Dane county. He was born in the town of
Vermont, May 13, 1862, and is the son of Andrew and Julia (An-
derson) Thompson, both of whom were natives of Norway. They,
came to America in 1818 and settled in what is now the town of
Vermont, being among the early pioneers. The father followed
farming as his life's vocation, but in the later years removed to Mt.
Horeb, where he lived in retirement until his death, the mother still
residing at Mt. Horeb. The subject of this review is one of five
children that were born to. these parents. Mary married G. Mickle-
son and resides at Mt. Horeb ; Enger E. married S. M. Belgum and
resides at Mt. Horeb ; Julia married P. O. Peterson and resides at
Rice Lake ; Cornelia married I. E. Kitleson and resides at Mt.
Horeb ; and the last born is the subject of this review. He was
reared to manhood in the town of Vermont and received his edu-
cation in the public schools. Upon reaching man's estate he began
his independent career as a farmer and has always been numbered
among the devotees of that noble occupation. He removed to Blue
Mounds in the spring of 1884, in which town he owns a fine home-
Mead -comprising one hundred and seventy-six acres, and he has
since made his home there, conducting a somewhat extensive dairy
and dealing largely in Poland China hogs in connection with his
farming operations. He was married on May 24, 1884, to Miss
Olena Mickleson, daughter of Hiram Mickleson, one of the pioneers
of the town of Blue Mounds, his death occurring in 1884. The wife
of our subject was born in Blue Mounds and died there on February
7, 1892, aged thirty-eight years. She left five children : Henry A.,
Arthur G., who was graduated from the high school of Mt. Horeb ;
George, Gusta Christena, and May Victoria, all of whom remain at
the parental home. Mr. Thompson married for his second wife,
on May 1, 1905, Miss Marie Mickleson of Blue Mounds. .Our sub-
ject has served as treasurer of the town three years, and as also
ed as a member of the town board and on the school board.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 81)5

Politically, he is a Republican and fraternally he is a member of
the Modern Woodmen of America and also of the Woodmen of the
World.

G. J. Thompson of Perry township is the owner of a fine prop-
erty on which the family have lived since 1885. John Thompson
and Mary Arneson, afterward Mrs. Thompson, were both natives
of Norway and came to America in 1856. on the same vessel, but
were not married until some three years later. They commenced
their life together with little capital but energy and thrift. For
the first few years of his life in America Mr. Thompson was em-
ployed as a farm hand but in a short time was able to purchase a
farm of eighty acres in the town of Blue Mounds, to which he
later added one hundred and twenty acres. This was his home
until his death in 1899. Mrs. Thompson resides with her son,
G. J. There were five children in the family, of whom three are
living. G. J. is the oldest, Maria is the widow of Mr. Anderson
and resides in Iowa county and Minn'.e married Rev. Mir. Holte of
■ Mount Horeb. G. J. was born at the old homestead in Blue
Mounds. October 19, 1863, attended the district school in the
neighborhood and early engaged in farming. When he reached
the age of twenty-one years he purchased eighty acres of his
father's farm and has made that his home ever since. He is a pros-
perous and successful farmer and his success has been due entirely
to his own efforts. Mr. Thompson is a man of remarkable physical
power and health and great endurance. In political matters he
does not ally himself with any party but votes for the man who,
in his judgment, will best serve the people. March 1-1, 1885, Mr.
Thompson married Miss Julia Sale, who was born in the town of
Vermont. Dane county, daughter of Ole and Emma Sale of Blue
Mounds township. Three children blessed the marriage, all of
whom reside with their parents ; Maria, Olvin Emil and Joseph
Emil. The family is identified with the Norwegian Lutheran church,
church.

Nels Thompson is the owner of a well improved farm of ninety-
seven acres in Blooming Grove township, and is one of the well
known and popular citizens of this section of the county, where
he has passed practically his entire life, having been about one
year of age at the time when his parents, Johanas and Magdalena
(Gudvangen) Thomas, emmigrated from Norway to America and
took up their residence in Dane county. He was born August 4,
1853. When his parents took up their residence in Blooming
Grove township they located on the farm which he now owns and

896 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

operates, and much of which he personally cleared from the wilds
with his own hands. lie was reared on this pioneer farm and re-
ceived only such educational advantages as were afforded in the
district school of the locality and period. His father died about
the year 1880, and the mother remained with her sons on the old
homestead, being cared for with true filial solicitude until her death,
in 1902. The older son, Mons, still remains with the subject of
this sketch on the old homestead. Mr. Thompson's career has
been one of constant endeavor and has been filled with energy and
good judgment in the direction of his farming operations, so that
he has gained prosperity through his own efforts, while he stands
high in the estimation of the community in which he has lived
from his childhood to the present. His wife has been his faithful
helpmeet and companion, and shares with him the rewards of for-
mer years of toil and application. They are consistent members
of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and he is a supporter of the
cause of the Republican party. April 8, 1876, Mr. Thompson was
married to Miss Mary Sainey. daughter of Knute and Christina
Sainey. of Pleasant Springs township, and they have nine children,
whose names and respective dates of birth are as follows : Malinda
Christina, February 9, 1877 ; Jerome Cornelius, March 8, 1879 ;
Arthur Melvin, February 1, 1881 ; Mabel Sophia. November 13,
1882; Edith Regina, December 1. 1884; Nellie Amanda, May 8.
Inn; ; John Theodore. September 13, 1890; Selma Charlotte, August
10, 1892; and Florence Amelia. March 14, 1896. Malinda C, the
eldest daughter is now the wife of John J. O'Neil, of Madison.

Peter O. Thompson, a thrifty farmer of the town of Deerfiehl.
was born in Christiana township, Dane county, Wis.. February 1-1,
1848. He was the son of Ole Tulofson and Anna Clauson, natives
of Norway. The parents came to Wisconsin about 1847 and set-
tled on Koshkonong Prairie, on one hundred and twenty acres of
land purchased from the government. After five years the father
died and the family sold the farm and removed to another farm of
forty acres, not far from the original farm, where they resided for
twelve years. The last removal was to Pleasant Springs, where
the mother and brothers still reside. There were six brothers in
the family, five of whom are now living, — Tolif, in Pleasant
Springs; Claus. in Clay county, Minn; Peter O., in Deerfield ; and
George and Ole. both residents of Stoughton. Peter O. Thomp-
son received a very limited education in the district schools of the
town of Christiania. When fifteen years old he started life for
himself. For seven years he worked as a farm hand and then for

BIOGRAPHICAL. 897

two years raised tobacco on shares. After a two years' residence
in Emerald Grove, Rock county, he returned to the vicinity of
Lake Kegonsa and farmed there for twelve years, after which he
bought a farm in Cottage Grove. About 1902 the duties incident
to the operation of a large farm such as Mr. Thompson's Cottage
Grove estate becoming too heavy, he leased it and bought a smaller
place near Deerfield, where he now resides. He has enough ol
this world's wealth so that he could have retired with ease, but
he says it is not his nature to be idle. In politics he is a Republi-
can ; in religion a Lutheran. December 21, 1872, he married Lottie,
daughter of James and Mary Ann (Tibbetts) Thompson of the
town of Rutland. Mrs. Thompson was born October 10, 1854.
To this marriage have been born thirteen children : Henry Olaus,
born July 27, 1874; Anna Elizabeth, born December 29, 1875 ; James
Theodore, born May 5, 1878, died May 3, 1881 ; William Edward,
born August 8, 1880; Emma Jane, born July 20, 1882; Herman
Theodore and James Oscar, (twins), born November 20, 1885;
George Elmer, born September 9. 1888 ; Clara, born November 9,
1890; Chester Palmer, born January 28, 1892; John Raymond, born
April 27, 1894; Martha, born July 12, 1896, Peter Adolph. born
June 12, 1899.

Stener Thompson, a thrifty farmer of the town of Dunn, was
born in Telemarken, Norway, April 20, 1855. He was a son of
Ajehl and Carrie (Emerson) Thompson, natives of Norway. In
1862 Ajehl Thompson brought his family to Wisconsin, settling
first in the town of Burke, where he remained until March, 1863.
Then he bought a farm of eighty-one acres in the town of Dunn,
which was his home until his death in 1871. At the age of twenty-
one Stener started life for himself. He purchased the father's
homestead, which had been but little improved because of the
father's death, and began improving the place. He used oxen ex-
clusively for several years in his farm work. The first wagon the
family had was one the father made. Stener keeps as relics of
olden days the chest and tools his father brought from Norway and
the copper kettles and appliances used for distilling liquor. The
farm today is one of the best equipped in the vicinity. In politics
Mr. Thompson is absolutely independent. He is the incumbent of
the office of road overseer, and has served as constable. He is a
member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. On May 31, 1882. he
married Elsie, daughter of Tjorbjorn and Bergetta (Johanasdaugh-
ter) Yick of Stoughton. Mrs. Thompson was born June 2o, 1862.
57— iii

898 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

and was one of ten children. To Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have
been born twelve children. — Clara Amelia, March 30, 1883; Theo-
dore, April 2, 1885, died in infancy; Theodore Barthold, February
24, 18S1 ; Nora Amanda, November 21, 1888; Selma Olive, May 12r
1890; the next child died in infancy; Alma, born in 1894, died in in-
fancy ; Tarbjor Cecelia, November 26, 1895; Alma Charlotte, April
14, 1897; Conrad Daniel. December 10, 1899; Emily Bernice, March
20, 1901 ; and Elsie Louise, June 25, 1905. Mr. Thompson is the
only survivor of the original family of five.

Thomas A. Thompson was born in Norway, June 16, 1861. His
ancestors were all natives of that country. His paternal grand-
father, coming to Wisconsin in 1866, settled in Columbia county.
and afterward removed to Dane county, although at the time of his
death which occurred in 1883, in his eighty-first year, his home was
near Lodi, in Columbia county. His wife. Rose Hagerstad, died
during their residence in Dane county. On the maternal side the
grandfather, Lewis Lewiston, and his wife, Anna, lived and died in
Norway. Andrew Thompson, father of Thomas A., born February
1, 1829, and his mother, Gertie (Lewiston) Thompson, born in
L831, came to this country with the parents of the former, making
their home first in Dane and afterward in Columbia county. Later
he returned to Dane county, where he is at present living on a farm
He comes of a sturdy northern stock,- — five of his six children are
living at the present time. Mr. Thompson received his education
in the public schools of Columbia and Dane counties. A me-
chanical aptitude and the necessity for self-support determined the
occupation of his early manhood, and he followed the trade of the
carpenter for ten years.* Afterward he turned his attention to agri-
cultural pursuits, and is at present the owner and operator of a
large farm of two hundred and ninety acres, purchasing that known
as the "Archibald Arries Farm." He makes a specialty of the
breeding of short-horn cattle and Poland China hogs; he also de-
votes a part of his farm to the raising of tobacco. Mr. Thompson
is a Republican in politics and during his residence in Dane county
he served as town treasurer for two years. His interest in educa-
tion and the public welfare has been recognized by the fact that
he has been retained as a member of the school board for twelve
years. Both he and his family are connected with the Lutheran
church, — the Ilson church in Dane county, with which the family
of Mr. Andrew Thompson is associated being the oldest Lutheran
'church of the Scandinavian people in America. Mr. Thompson
was married April 13, 1881, to Miss Lena Coldvell, — daughter of

BIOGRAPHICAL. 899

John and Emily (Shure) Coldvell, — who was born in Columbia
county. May 12, 1862. Mrs. Thompson's parents were both natives
of Norway who settled in Columbia county about 1855, where they
took up eighty acres of government land, and where both of them
died, the father. May 14, 1863, and the mother, August 7, 1899. Mr.
Coldvell was also a Republican in politics, and his church relations
were the same as the Thompson family with which he was allied
by marriage. Of Mr. Thompson's family of nine children six are
living, — Anna, Albert, Eddie, Esther, Emery and Reuben. The
eldest, Joseph, died in 1905, in his young manhood, and two others,
Robert and Edwin, in childhood. Mr. Thompson's residence is at
the present time in Dane township, Dane county, but his postoffice
is Lodi, Columbia county.

Hon. Torgor G. Thompson, ex-member of the Wisconsin legisla-
ture, and one of the leading citizens of the town of Deerfield. where
he is also the largest land owner and most extensive farmer, is a
native son of Dane county and a representative of one of the
pioneer families. He was born on the Thompson homestead in
the town of Deerfield, on March 19, 1853, and is the son of Gullick
and Daanat Torgersdaughter (Rothe) Thompson. Gullick Thomp-
son was one of the hardy pioneers of Dane county. He was born
in Yoss. Norway, on February 2, 1821. and came with his parents
to America in 1810. He resided with his parents in Chicago until
the death of the latter in 1842, and the following year he came to
Dane county. Here he purchased and entered one hundred and
ninety-five acres of land, and the first thing he did was to con-
struct a "dug out" on the northeast corner of section number two.
In this ''dug out'' he lived for two years, keeping "bachelor's hall"
as he was then a single man. Game of all kinds was plentiful and
he had little trouble in providing himself with more than enough
fresh meat, feeding to the wolves what he did not care to eat. In
1845 he was married, and he then built a house on the site of the
present home of his son, which farm he purchased from Xels S.
Grulderhus and there lived the balance of his days, dying there on
January 20, 1895. His wife was also a native of Voss. Norway,
where she was born on October 5, 1820. She died at the home-
stead on July 25, 1902, having made her home with her son during
her widowhood. Nine children were born to Gullick Thompson
and wife, Torger G. being the only surviving one. Torger G.
Thompson was reared on the farm. He received his education in
the public schools of joint school districts six and ten, town of
Deerfield. and also attended Albion Academy three winter terms.

900 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

By the time he was twenty-one years of age, the responsibility of
the management of his father's large farming operations had prac-
tically fallen upon his shoulders. In 1879 his father gave him three
hundred and twenty acres, which he operated independently. Up-
on tlie death of his father, in 1895, the whole of the extensive and
valuable estate passed into his hands and he has judiciously and
successfully combined the personal management of the same. Not-
withstanding the great amount of his time and attention required
by his extensive business interests, Mr. Thompson has found time
to perform fully the duty he owes to the community as a citizen.
and has served the people in various ways at different times. He
served for six years as school clerk, two years as supervisor and for
three years as chairman of the town board, his position as such
making him a member of the county board for the same period.
He is a stalwart Republican, and as such was elected in 1902 a
member of the Wisconsin legislature from the second district of
Dane county. During the session of the legislature of 1903 he
served on the committees of agriculture and of printing, and was a
useful working member of that body. Being of the minority, how-
ever, prevented him, with other stalwarts, from rendering any con-
spicuous service. His religious affiliations are with the United
Lutheran church at Liberty Prairie, of which he served as trustee
for fifteen years. On September 11, 1883, Mr. Thompson married
Alice, the daughter of Andrew7 and Alice Musifin, natives of Nor-
way, and both pioneers of Dane county. Mrs. Thompson was born
on April 5, 1851, and received her education in the schools of Cam-
bridge. To M'r. and Mrs. Thompson two children have been born
as follows: George Arthur, born August 27, 1884, and died April
27, 1885; and Delia A., born December 23, 1886. and died in in-
fancy.

Nels J. Thori was born in Norway and came to the United States
with his parents when he was ten years of age. His father, Jens H.
Thori, was born in Norway in 1819, was married in Norway to Miss
Guriwa Johnson, born in 1817, and came to Pleasant Springs, Dane
comity in 1861. This was the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thori until
1878 when they came to the town of Windsor and purchased a farm
where they still reside. Of their family of seven children, but four
are living. The family attend the Norwegian Lutheran church.
Nels J. Thori was born in Norway, September 14, 1851. attended
school in Pleasant Springs and has always been a farmer. He is at
present engaged in a general farming business in the town of Wind-
sor. Like his father he is a Republican. In 1880, he married Miss

BIOGRAPHICAL. 901

Maria Hanson, a native of Norway, where her parents spent their
entire lives. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thori ;
Jens and Matilda. Mrs. Thori's sister Julia is Mrs. Andrew Korri-
son of Morrisonville.

Jens Thorstad, a well-known stock raiser of the town of Deer-
field, was born in Sogendal, Norway, December 26, 1858. He is the
son of Nels and Susan (Quam) Thorstad. natives of Norway, and
he and a sister, Anna, now Mrs. Ole Koupanger, were the only
children. His education consisted of the Norwegian public school
course and two years in a Norwegian academy in the old country.
In 1877 he came directly to Dane county from his native land. For
a couple of years he worked as a farm hand and from 1880 to 1883
worked tobacco land on shares. In the latter year with his brother-
in-law he purchased eighty acres of land on Wheeler Prairie. The
same fall he sold his interest to his brother-in-law and bought an-
other eighty in the town of Cottage Grove, where he lived until
1898, when he moved to his present location in the town of Deer-
field. Two years previous to his moving he had begun breeding
Poland China hogs, and so great has his success in this line been
that he is now shipping all over this and adjoining states. In 1900
he began to breed Holstein cattle and his success in this line has
also been very marked. Mr. Thorstad is very fond of books and
has a very fine library with many valuable Norwegian histories.
His mother, who is eighty-five years old and in good health, makes
her home with him. Politically a Republican, he has served as
such as postmaster at Nora, thirteen years on the town board of
Deerfield, and is at present on the board of school directors. For
about three years he has been a trustee of the Dane County Agri-
cultural society. His church affiliations are with the Norwegian
Lutheran church. On February 2, 1885, he married Betsey Olene,
daughter of Halvor and Engiborg (Grytebek) Holton, of Albion,
Dane county. Mrs. Thorstad was born September 11. 1858. To
Jens and Betsy Thorstad seven children have been born, — Nels
Holberg, November 24, 1885; Harlow Severen, September 18, 1887;
Selina Enora, December 2, 1889 ; Emmil Gerhard, December 5,
1891; Kathinca Josephine. February 14, 1894; Lucius Berlin, April
20. 1898; and another child born in 1901, who died in infancy.

Andrew Thronson is a retired farmer of Cambridge, where he has
lived since 1899. His parents. Tosten and Caroline Thronson, came
from Norway in 184:1. They embarked for the United States on a
sailing vessel that was eleven wreeks en route and landed in New
York city. From New York to Milwaukee the journey was made

902 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

bv the lakes and ox teams brought the family the remainder of the
distance to Albion, Dane county, where Mr. Thronson obtained a
farm of one hundred and sixty acres three miles from Albion Center.
The first dug-out was succeeded by a log cabin and later by a sub-
stantia] dwelling- of stone and on the home they had made and im
proved, Mr. and Mrs. Thronson lived the remainder of their days.
Five children were born to them ; Thomas, who lives at the old
home in Albion; Andrew; Christiania, who is Mrs. Andrew Lar-
son of Clear Lake, Iowa; and Christopher (deceased). Mr. Thron-
son died in 1856 and his wife in 1871. The family attended the Lu-
theran church. Mr. Thronson's family are members of the Meth-
odist church. Andrew was born at Albion, October 1, 1848, at-
tended the district schools and worked with his father on the
home farm for a number of years. One year he spent in Roches-
ter, Minn., and upon his return he purchased a farm of one hundred
and sixty acres partly improved, in the town of Christiania, sec-
tion 15. Until July, 1899, he made this his home and at that time
moved to Cambridge and rented his farm. Mr. Thronson has
been supervisor in Christiania and Cambridge, has held the office
of trustee and has always been interested in politics, voting the
Republican ticket. In March 1872, he married Miss Sarah Inge-
brightson, daughter of Berick and Ann (Olson) Ingebrightson,
who came to Dane county from Norway in 1844. To the marriage
were born seven children. Sophia, the oldest, married Lewis Ol-
son of Milwaukee and has three children ; Alice, Angelina and Mil-
ford. Benjamin A. is cashier of the bank of Cambridge. Mary B.
is Mrs. James A. Scobie, of Cambridge and has two sons, Wiley
and Stanley. The younger children are Anna F., Talmon, Chris-
tian and Delia. All have attended the Cambridge high school
and are members of the Methodist church.

Reuben Gold Thwaites, secretary of the Wisconsin State His-
torical Society, was born in Boston, Mass., May 15, 1853. His
parents were William G. and Sarah Thwaites. He was educated
in the schools of Boston, and Yale College, where he was also a
graduate student from 1873 to 1876, and was at the same time cor-
respondent for Boston. New Haven and Chicago newspapers
When thirteen years of age he came west to Oshkosh, Wis., and
taught school in Winnebago county in the winter of 1871-72. He
first entered the field of journalism in Oshkosh in 1872, as city
editor of the Oshkosh Times. When he left Yale in 1876. he re-
turned to Wisconsin, locating at Madison, and became city editor
in April, 1877, and then managing editor, of the Wisconsin State

BIOGRAPHICAL. 903

Journal. He was an indefatigable worker, and. in addition to his
editorial work, he also conducted a Wisconsin news syndicate
which furnished Wisconsin news to the papers of Xew York. Chi-
cago, St. Louis, and several other large cities. In 1884 he was
elected assistant secretary of the State Historical Society of Wis-
consin, became its secretary on the retirement of Dr. Lyman C.
Draper (q. v.) in January. 1887, and is still serving in that capac-
ity. When Air. Thwaites first became associated with the soci-
ety, its library, then consisting of about 109,000 titles together
with its portrait gallery and museum, were housed in the capitol
building in what were believed to be "ample and luxurious" quar-
ters. In fact the south wing of the capitol was built chiefly to ac-
commodate them. But the space soon became crowded and the
legislatures of 1895, 1897 and 1899. generously responded to the
appeals of the society for a modern, fire-proof building of its own,
of which the present noble structure, built on the "lower campus'
of the University, on the ground donated for that purpose by the
University regents, is the result. Largely through the efficient
management of Dr. Thwaites. the society has won a place among
scholars, on a par with that of Masachusetts, hitherto the foremost
of American historical associations, and it is excelled by none in
the work of investigation and publication. Its library has grown
to one of about 250,000 books and pamphlets, and is easily the most
important reference library west of the Alleghenies. and ranks as
one of the three largest historical libraries in the country. His-
torians, special investigators and scholars resort to it from all parts
of the country, and all unite in praise of the wonderful facilities
afforded for study and research work, and in praise of the uniform
courtesy shown them by the scholarly secretary. Mr. Thwaites
has travelled widely in this country and in Europe, and is, withal,
a keen observer ; though still a comparatively young man. his hab-
its of untiring industry have resulted in a large number of works
from his facile pen, chiefly on historical subjects dealing with early
colonization and exploration in the West and Northwest, and ac-
counts of his various wanderings. He has written "Down Historic
Waterways." '88; "The Story of Wisconsin," '90; "The Colonies,"
1492-1750, '91; "Our Cycling Tour in England." '92 ; "Afloat on the
Ohio" '97; "Stories of the Badger State." '00; "History of the
University of Wisconsin," '00 ; "Father Marquette," '02 ; "Daniel
Boone," '02; "Brief History of Rocky Mountain Exploration," '04;
"France in America," '05 ; "Monographs on New France and Mid-
dle West." He has edited : Wisconsin Historical Collections, vol-

904 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

umes 9-17 ; Chronicles of P>order Warfare. '95; University of Wis-
consin. '00; The Jesuit Relations, 7:! volumes, '96-01; new edition,
Kin/.ie's "Wan Bun," '03; Hennepin's "New Discovery," '03;
Original Journals of Lewis and Clarke, '05; Early Western Travel,
L750 1850, to be issued in 35 volumes, :?1 of which have been pub-
lished ; this is a series of valuable reprints and is a monumental
work. He lectures on American history in the University of Wis-
consin and in other institutions of learning, and has read many
papers before literary and historical societies. Xext to Dr. Hob-
bins, he was the chief promoter of the Madison Literary Club, and
for seventeen years its able secretary. Mr. Thwaites was married
to Miss Jessie Inville Turvill, of Madison, in 1882, and they have
one son. His church affiliations are with the Unitarians. Still in
the prime of a vigorous manhood, the world of letters looks to see
many more works come forth as the product of his well-stored
mind and busy pen. He is an accurate and graceful writer, pos-
sessed of a fine historic sense, and has tremendous enthusiasm for
his work. His knowledge of places and peoples, gained from
travel, supplements his close acquaintance with the literature of all
time. The State Historical Society has indeed found a worthy
successor of the beloved and scholarlv Lyman C. Draper.

Fred Tibbit, a prosperous farmer of Dunn township and a de-
fender of the flag in the Civil War days, is of English birth, the place
and date of his nativity having been Norfolkshire, England. December
27, 1848. His parents were Edward and Ann Tibbit, of old English
families, and during the early years of their married. life migrated
to America. Upon arriving in the United States the family first lo-
cated in Michigan, but after remaining there one summer came to
Dane count)-. Wisconsin, and began farming on rented land in tin?
town of Rutland. The father continued as a renter for about five
years, then bought twenty acres of land in the same town and later
added forty acres more. The family continued to reside on this farm
until 1890, when the father retired from active farming and moved
to Stoughton, where he resided until his death in 1005. Fred Tibbit
grew to manhood at the Dane county home of his parents, and re-
ceived his education in the district schools of the town of Rutland.
When hut seventeen years of age he started life for himself, although
he had been practically self-supported for several years prior thereto.
( >n January 26. [865, he enlisted as a private in Company E, Forty-
nth Regiment Wisconsin infantry and served with it until Septem-
ber 4. of the same year, when the regiment was mustered out. With
mmand Mr. Tibbit proceeded to Nashville, Turn., and thence to

BIOGRAPHICAL. 905

Tullahoma. at -the junction of the McMinnville & Manchester railroad
with the Nashville & Chatanooga. There he was employed in guard
duty during the entire period of his active service. After being
mustered out he returned home and worked as a farm hand by the year
for three years. He then became a renter and worked different farms
on shares for time, constantly prospering until he was able to pur-
chase twenty acres of land in the town of Rutland, on which he re-
sided fifteen years. He then sold his farm in Rutland and purchased
eighty acres in the town of Dunn, upon which he still resides. Mr.
Ti'bbit is a Republican in his political affiliations but has never essayed
the role of an office-seeker. On October 9, 1873, he was married to
Miss Angcline Washburn, who was born January 30, 1854, the daugh-
ter of Serene and Hannah (Hull) Washburn, of the state of Illinois.
Mir. Washburn was a native of Pennsylvania, but became one of the
early settlers in the vicinity of Yandalia, 111., where he located on a
farm and resided until his death, in 1856. After the father's death
the mother returned with her children to Pennsylvania, where the
family remained several years, and then came to Dane county. Wis.,
and settled in the town of Rutland. After the marriage of her daugh-
ter to Mr. Tibbit the mother made her home with them until her
death, which occurred in 1884. Mrs. Tibbit received her education
in the district schools of Illinois, and ;s an intelligent and highly re-
spected lady. She and her husband are the parents of two children,
as follows: Clayton Serene, born April 21, 1876, died in 1881 ; and
Myrtle May, born May 25. 1887. She was married to Herbert Ko-
ble Of Kansas. Four weeks later she died after a week's illness.
Her death was particularly sad. She was an estimable young lady
of high character whose amiable disposition had won for her a host
of friends. In 1905 Mr. Tibbit suffered an injury to his hip, from
which he fears he will never be able to recover, and for this reason
he is seriously contemplating the question of retiring from the farm
and engaging in other business. Whatever his decision may be in
the matter, a host of friends wish for him long life and continued
prosperity, as he is a congenial and much respected citizen. He is a
member of the G. A. R., Buckman Post, Stoughton, and attends the
Free-will Bapt'st church.

Patrick R. Tierney, deceased, was for over forty years of his life
a prominent and highly irespected citizen of Dane county, and whether
in the private affairs of life or in the public capaeitiy|- of an] office-holder
he demonstrated his personal worth and capability ;to a marked degree.
Hie was born at Freshford, in the county of Kilkenny. Trefland, on
March a, 1822, and was thetson of Martin and Ellen (Hogan) Tierney,

906 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

both of whom wfere also natives of the Emerald 'Isle, where? they spent
their lives. Early in life the subject of this review assumed a position
of responsibility in his native land, and] for- five years he officiated as
steward of a model government farm at the village of Gormanstown,
[reland, afterwards serving' in the same capacity in Scotland. He mi-
grated to America in 1849, landing in the city of Philadelphia, and one
year later continued his journey westward, locating in, ^850 on a school
section of land in Dane count}-. Wis., where his wife and family at
present reside. There; he remained, superintending his agricultural
interests, and also giving considerable attention to< the practice of law,
until 1 88 1, when he removed to South Dakota and settled on a large
farm in Spink county, which real estate is still owned by the members
of his family. Mr. Tierney was married on February 15, 1855, to
Mary Condon, who was born at Ardfinnan, in the county of Tipperary,
Ireland, August 13, 1827, daughter of Patrick and No rah (McGrath)
Condon, both of whom were natives of Ireland, born in thle latter part
of the eighteenth century. Mrs. Tierney was educated at the Presen-
tation convent, at St. John's, Newfoundland, where her brother, Rev.
Edward Condon, was the parish priest. The Rev. John Condon, par-
ish priest of Rhaegormack, in the county of Waterford, Ireland, was an
uncle of Mrs. Tierney. Although the latter was reared and educated
in the Irish language she can speak in English as fluently as in her na-
tive tongue. To the union of herself and Mr. Tierney there were born
eight children, viz: Edward, Patrick (died November 17, 1902), Ellen
(died December 17, 1902), Norah, Mary, Joseph, Michaiel, and Roger
(died May 6, 1885). The interest which Mr. Tierney naturally took in
public affairs brough him into prominence soon after he located in
Dane county, and from 1865 to 1870 he served as county coroner. He
was also elected to the position of justice of the peace; which event be-
came quite noted owing to the legal contest which followed the count-
ing of the. ballots. His opponent contested the election in the circuit
court, and not being satisfied with the decision of that tribunal, which
confirmed Mr. Tierney's election, he carried the case to the supreme
court of the state, where the opinion of the lower court was sustained,
the decision being reported on page 460, in the Twenty-third volume
of \\ isconsin Reports. In quo warranto proceedings it is the princi-
pal Wisconsin case cited by all leading attorneys. Mr. Tierney was
always generous, donating four acres of land for a church site in, the
town of Westport, the present church of St. Mary's of the Lake, of
which his youngest daughter. Mary, was the organist for seven years.
Mr. and Mrs. Tiernev also donated a site for a school house in dis-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 907

tr:ct No .3, and the subject of this memoir taught the first term of
school therein, in 1862. It has been maintained as a district school
until the present day and the building is known as "the Tierney
schoolhouse," a son, Joseph Tierney, being the present district treas-
urer. Norah, the eldest surviving daughter of Air. and Mrs. Tierney,
taught school several years in South Dakota, and was married in 1892,
to David Kissack, a well-to-do business man. She and her husband
make South Dakota their residence, and they are owners of several
large tracts of land in that state. When the rural free mail delivery
routes were established in Dane county, in 1902, Michael and Joseph
Tierney were engaged as carriers on route No. 1, running out of Wau-
nakee, through the towns of Westport, Madison and Springfield, and
the brothers still officiate in that capacity. Patrick R. Tierney was a
Republican in his political affiliations, and he was a member of the
St. Mary's of the Lake Catholic church, as are also the surviving mem-
bers of his family.

Ole L. Tillung a prominent farmer of the town of Christiania, is
a native of that township and resides upon the farm which his father
owned. He is the son of Lars Bergerson and Ingeborg (Tisdahl)
Bergerson, who were natives of Bergenstift, Norway, and there mar-
ried. In 1847 they took passage for America and were eight weeks
making the voyage. After landing in New York they came by way
of the Erie canal and the lakes to Milwaukee and by ox team to
Christiania, Dane county. After one year on the farm' known as the
Ole Quale place, Mr. Bergerson bought forty acres of wild land in
section 8, put up a log cabin and began to clear and improve his farm.
In 1854 he added another forty acres and in 1861 forty acres more.
The entire homestead of one hundred and sixty acres is now owned
by Ole L., the only son. Annie, the only daughter, married Elef P.
Olia and after his death became Mrs. Gust Rolfson and lives in
Christiania. Ole L. was born February 4, 1848. attended school in
district No. 2, Christiania, and has always lived at the old home. He
assisted his father upon the farm and brought his wife there in 1876.
August 26 of that year he married Miss Bertha Quale, who was born
in Bergenstift, Norway, daughter of Andrew Thorbjornson, whose
wife was Bertha Johannson also of Bergenstift. Three sons of
Andres Thorbjornson came to the United States in 1870 and their
sisters, Bertha and Ellen, in 1875, but the parents remained in their
native land. Mrs. Tillung's brother, Nels. resides in Madison. Wis.;
Iver died in Thompson, la. ; John went to California in 1875, and all
trace of him was lost; Ellen married Nels Anderson Quale. Of the
twelve children born to Mr. and Mrs. Tillung, but eight are now liv-

908 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

ing. The oldest son and daughter are both deeeased ; Andrew re-
sides in Chrsitiania and married Miss Amelia Kingland of the same
township; Bella, Lewis, Iver, Martin, Annie, Bennie and Olin reside
with their parents ; Namon and Gertie are deceased. All have heen
educated in the home schools and are members of the Lutheran
church, of West Koshkonong. Mr. Tillung has added some fine
buildings to his home, the last being- the house, built in 1884, which is
a commodious dwelling'. He has made many other improvements
in equipment and has a very comfortable property. He votes the Re-
puhlican ticket and is interested in school affairs, hav'ng served on
the school hoard of that district.

Fred Timmerman, who died on his fine homestead farm in sec-
tion 27, Blooming Grove township. April 17, 1888, was one of the
energetic and successful men of this section of the state and was a
man who commanded the confidence and esteem of all who knew him,
living a life signally sincere and true in all its relations. Mr. Tim-
merman was a native of Germany, where he was born March 19,
1838, being a son of Fred and Christina (Meier) Timmerman, who
passed their entire lives in the fatherland, coming of old and stanch
German stock. The subject of this memoir was accorded the advan-
tages of the excellent schools of his native land, where he was reared
to maturity. He immigrated to America, remaining for a time in
the east and taking up his residence in Dane county, Wisconsin, in
1857. For ten years he resided upon and operated what is now
known as the Hoyt farm, in Bloonrng Grove township, after which
he purchased the homestead of one hundred acres upon which his
widow now maintains her home and upon which he continued to re-
side continuously until his death. He made excellent improvements
on the place and was known as a man of thrift and progressive ideas.
He was possessed of sterling characteristics and was a useful and
worthy citizen. He was a man of strong personality and was well
fortified in his views and convictions, taking a loyal interest in public
afifars but never seeking the honors or emoluments of public office.
He was a Democrat in his political proclivities, and was a member
of the German Lutheran church, with which his family also is iden-
tified. August 20, 1855, Mr. Timmerman was united in marriage to
Miss Carrie Merhoff, daughter of Christopher and Elizabeth (Meier)
Merhoff. Concerning the children of this union the following brief
record is entered: Anna Christina Carrie, born December 21, 1857.
is the wife of Henry Sieveking, and they reside in the state of Iowa:
Anna Caroline, horn ( )ctober 23, 185c;, died when about six years of
age; William Fred, horn July is. 1861, married Miss Mary Bolk. of

BIOGRAPHICAL. 909

Iowa, in which state they now reside ; Louisa, horn in November,
1863, died when about two years of a^e ; Louisa Martha, born No-
vember 15, 1864, died July 17, 1865; Ykastena Martha, born June
22, 1867, is the wife of Louis Gerfcn, and they reside in Oklahoma;
Henry died in childhood; Ernest Gottlieb Henry, born April 17,
1870, married Miss Sophia Holcher, of Burke township, and they re-
side on the homestead farm w'th his mother ; Henry Christian, born
April 20, 1873, died March 16, 1893.

Ever E. Tjugum, who is extensively engaged in agricultural pur-
suits at Sun Prairie, Wis., is a native of Norway, where he was
born September 16, 1857. His parents were Ever Olson and Carrie
(Suphamer) Tjugum, both being born in Norway, the former
March 25, 1820. His mother died in Norway in 1859. The father
is still living at the age of eighty-six years. Of their seven chil-
dren three are living. His father's second wife was Anna Soride
and of the four children which blessed this union two are now alive.
The paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch was Ole
Roisum Tjugum who died in Norway at the age of ninety-two
years. His wife was Anna Vesterim and she also passed away in
Norway. The maternal grandfather of Ever E. Tjugum was Helge
Suphamer, who with his wife Tarbegor, lived and died in Norway.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools of
Norway and in the schools of Bristol, and early took up the career
of a farmer. He now owns two hundred and fifty-five acres of
land, all of which is thoroughly cultivated. Short-horned cattle,
Poland China hogs, and Shropshire sheep are his specialties. He
is also largely engaged in the tobacco raising industry. All of this
tract of farming land Mr. Tjugum has acquired by the most untir-
ing efforts. He came to Dane county, May 26, 1883, and worked
by the month. In 1886 he commenced farming and purchased
seventy-five acres of land, soon after adding eighty acres. All of
this he has improved until it is in a fine state of cultivation at the
present time. He was married April 8. 1886, to Miss Christiana
Carolina Dahle, daughter of Christian Anderson Dahle, mentioned
in this work. To them have been born six children as follows:
Charles Edwin. May 25, 1887, educated in the common schools and
in the college of agriculture of the University of Wisconsin : Carrie
Amanda. August 21, 1888. educated in the common schools and a
student in DeForest high school: Oscar Anders, August 10, 1890,
a student in DeForest high school ; Annie Louise, January 18, 189 1 :
Ever Harold, August 22, 1896; Raymond Ernest. September 21,
1899. Mr. Tjugum and his family are members of the Lutheran

910 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

church. In politics he is a stanch Republican and has held offices
of treasurer for two years, side supervisor for three years, treas-
urer of the school district for three years, clerk for nine years. His
long public service and the honors which have come to him un-
sought bespeak the respect in which the community holds him.
Air. Tjugum is a firm believer in a liberal education for the rising
generation.

Charles I. Togstad, superintendent of the American Plow Com-
pany of Madison, was born in Norway (near Christiana) April 7,
1851. He is a son of Iver and Anna (Johnson) Iverson. For a re-
view of the faimly see the sketch of Ole I. Togstad elsewhere in this
volume. Charles Togstad attended the common schools of Norway
and when in the spring- of 1873 he determined to come to this coun-
try, was engaged in farming. On his arrival in the Inited States
he was employed by the lailroads in St. Paul for three months and
then went to Beloit where he farmed for a time and afterward entered
the employ of the John Thompson & Company plow works. When
he severed his connection with that company he was one of its fore-
men. For a year he worked a farm in Redwood county. Minnesota,
and in 1882 came to Madison to enter the employ of the Fuller & John-
son Manufacturing Company. He remained with this concern twen-
ty-two years, the last twelve of which he held the position of assistant
superintendent. In 1904 he assumed the active charge of the Ameri-
can Plow Company's works and has since held that position. In May,
T878. Mr. Togstad was united in marriage to' Miss Rena Weidemann,
a native of Norway, who came to the United States with her parents,
Andrew and Christina Weidemann, in 1872. Mr. Weideman is de-
ceased, but his widow is still living, a resident of Tennessee. Mr.
and Mrs. Togstad have eight children. Clara, the eldest, is the wife
of Sjur Eken. They have one child, Ruth. Ida married Walter
Fluent and now lives in Charles City, la. She is the mother of one
child, Wayne. John Peter is a machinist for the Gisholt Machine
company of Madison. By his marriage to Belle Hartdy he is the
father of one child. John. Alfred is a clerk in a clothing store in
an Idaho city. Edna is employed by the Dane County Telephone
company. Eddie and Cecelia are students in the high school. The
youngest is Raymond. The family are all devout members of the
( lnited Lutheran church. Mrs. Togstad is a member of the Beaver
Queens' organization in Madison and her husband is one of the Mod-
ern Woodmen; Mr. Togstad is one of the best representatives of
MBadison's citizens of Norwegian birth. He is the prime of a vigor-
ous manhood, is a skilled and thorough workman and an exceptionally
good executive.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 911

Ole I. Togstad, manuafacturer of cement blocks, whose place of
business in Madison is at 514 South Baldwin street, was born in east-
ern Norway, September 18, 1854. He is the son of Iver and Anna
Iverson. The father was a carpenter and farmer, and followed these
two vocations all his active life. He died in 1890 at the age of sixty-
eight. His wife passed away in 1862. They had eight children, two
of whom died before the subject of this sketch was born. Of the other
six, Charles is superintendent of the American Plow works in Madi-
son; Ole I. is the next in the order of birth; Carrie is the wife of
Christian Peterson, a carpenter residing at 925 East Johnson street;
Jacob is a policeman of the city force of Madison; Anton and Anna
still live in their native country. Ole I. Togstad received his education
m the Norwegian common schools and for a time after the completion
of his studies worked on a farm in Norway. In 1876 he came to the
United States, locating in Rock county. Wisconsin, where he worked
as a farm hand, and then went to Beloit to enter the employ of John
Thompson. He had been there but six months when the concern
burned out and he was obliged to return to farming for a livelihood.
The following year he was ill with rheumatism and unable to labor,
but upon his recovery returned to Thompson's employ. His labors
for the next few years were in varied fields, employment being found
at different times in the J. I. Case plow works of Racine, the pineries
of Michigan, in Beloit, the J. I. Case Company again, a carriage shop
at Racine Junction, a plow manufacturing concern at South Bend,
Inch, a harvester company in Beloit, in Dubuque, with the David
Bradley plow company of Chicago, the Link-belt Machine Company,
in Chicago for a year, with Thompson for a third time, in La Crosse
with a plow company, and returned to Madison, where he has been
since. The Fuller & Johnson company gave him employment and,
during the Peck administration, he did various duties in the state
capital. In August 1904, he started with a partner, in the business
'of making cement blocks, the firm name being Togstad & Kleiner.
This partnership was dissolved in the spring of 1906 and Mr. Togstad
became the sole owner of the plant. The daily output is about five
hundred blocks. The factory is one hundred and twenty by forty feet
and four men are employed. A new process of making building ce-
ment brick and blocks is vised which is proving highly satisfactory.
In 1884. Mr. Togstad married Miss Mena Eastdal, a native of Korway,
(born April 12, 1864) who came to the LJnited States in 1882. They
have four children, Anna, Harold. Clarence and Maurice. The relig-
ious affiliations of the family are with the Lutheran church. The

912 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

father is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is con-
sidered one of Madison's most enterprising and worthy citizens.

Albert Torgerson is a well known fanner of Pleasant., Springs.
Wis. His parents, llalvor and ( Hive (Evans) Torgerson, were
natives of Christiania, Norway, and came to America while quite
young, in company with their parents. Halvor came in 1845 on a
sailing craft, which experienced rough weather and scarcity of pro-
visions during its sixteen weeks voyage. The father of the family
died while on ship-board and the mother landed in Quebec with
her family of fourteen, fatherless children. They came on to
Jefferson county, where Halvor and his brother obtained some land
and took care of the family. Halvor married the daughter of Evan
Evans of Pleasant Springs, who came from Norway in 1844, and
purchased the Evans Homestead on which he and his wife lived
until their death in 1873. Halvor Tc -gerson also operated the first
brick-yard in Stoughton. Four children of Halvor Torgerson are
living; Albert and Thomas, of Pleasant Springs; Carrie, the wife
of John Anderson of Stoughton and George, who owns a farm in
Dunkirk. The two youngest children died in infancy. Albert was
born at Oakland, Jefferson county, Wis., January 23, 1855, and was
obliged to help his father on the farm which they purchased at
Pleasant Springs, so he had little opportunity to go to school. He
farmed the old home farm for a t me and after his parents' death,
bought seventy acres of the old homestead. This he worked for
five years, sold it and farmed in Cottage Grove and Dunn. For
five years he operated a meat market and a hotel at Stoughton and
in 1890 purchased the farm which he now occupies, in section 9.
Many improvements have recently been made upon the farm and
Mr. Torgerson carries on a general farming business. In politics
he is an Independent, has been clerk of the school board for seven
years and held other local offices. October 1, 1877, he married
Miss Christina Quale of Dunkirk, daughter of Andrew Quale, a
native of Norway. Mrs. Torgerson died in 1887, leaving three
children ; Alfred C, who is cashier of the state bank of Deslace,

North Dakota; Clara, the wife of Otto Otterson of North Dakota;
Mabel, who resides in Portland, North Dakota; Annie and another
child, the youngest, died in infancy. In April, 1889, Mr. Torgerson
married Miss Trena Olson of Dunkirk, daughter of Torgen Olson.

Three children have been born to them; Charles Ole. Homer T.,
who died in infancy, and Arnold T., the youngest. The family are
loyal supporters of the Western Lutheran church.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 913

Chester Torgerson died January 28, 1906, in the village of Mount
Horeb, after four years of retirement following a life of industry
and usefulness, not the least among his deeds being the loyal service
which he gave to the government during the dark days of the Civil
War. He was born in Norway, on June 7, 1834, and is a son of Torger
Chesterson and Bertha Nelson Ramelo, who were also natives of Nor-
way. The father was a farmer in his native country and he came
with his family to America in 1853. Coming directly to Wisconsin
he settled in the town of Springdale, Dane county, and there pur-
chased a tract of government land in section 31, where he followed
farming until his death, March 14, 1899, aged nearly eighty-eight
years. His wife died in 1856, at the age of forty-five. The subject
of this review is one of three children who were born to the above
mentioned parents, and of these only one survives, Gunhild, the wife
of Hans Yeggum of Springdale, and twin sister of Chester. Our
subject received his education in the schools of Norway, and after ac-
companying his parents to America remained with his father on the
farm until 1859, when he went to California. He drove across the
plains with oxen and by this mode of travel the journey consumed six
months of time. The route followed was by the way of Salt Lake
City and passed through the country then infested with Indians. He
remained in California, engaged in mining two years, and then made
the return trip by riding- on a pony, coming by the way of Pike's Peak
and Denver. He again located in the town of Springdale and fol-
lowed farming there until 1864. On September 5, 1864, he enlisted
in Company I, Forty-third regiment Wisconsin volunteer infantry and
served with that command until June 24. 1865, when, peace being es-
tablished, he was mustered out with the regiment. The regiment
left the state on October 10, 1864, for Nashville, Tenn., from whence
it proceeded to Johnsonvilie on the Tennessee river, where Mir. Tor-
gerson participated in an engagement with the enemy. The greater
part of the term of service was devoted to guard duty at various
places. After receiving his discharge our subject returned to the
town of Springdale and shortly afterward purchased land and engaged
in farming, which occupation he followed until 1902, when he removed
to Mount Horeb and lived retired until his death. Mr. Torgerson was
married on November 15, 1877. to Miss Nora R. Odegoord, of Chi-
cago. 111., daughter of Rolf and Roynano (Overlie) OJdegoord, both
of whom were natives of Norway. The parents never came to Amer-
ica. Mrs. Torgerson making the journey alone when she was twenty-
one vears old. She returned to Norway, after having been in this
country six years, and remained eight months in the land of her birth,
58— iii

914 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

then returning to America. She has two sisters living in the United
Staes. Mr. Torgerson was a member of the G. A. R., and he was, as
is his wife, a regular attendant and member of the Lutheran church.
James H. Townsend is a prominent business man and well
known citizen of Cambridge. Besides his many business interests
he has always been occupied to a considerable extent with farm
affairs and property. A native of Westchester county, N. Y., as
were -both his parents, James L. and Sarah (Dederer) Townsend,
he came with them to Wisconsin in 1850. The Townsend family
were prominent in their native county, where the Hon. John Town-
send was a farmer, sheriff and later state senator. He became en-
gaged in banking in New York city, a business followed by his
oldest son Daniel Ward. James L. the second son came to Wis-
consin. James L. was born August 31, 1801, and his wife May 20,
1802. They obtained a farm in Dane county which now lies in the
village of Cambridge. This they cleared and improved and made
their home until the death of Mr. Townsend in 188T and that of
his wife in 1 8 T (3 . Eight children were born to them; four are de-
ceased. Charles H. is chief clerk in the quartermaster's depart-
ment of Omaha, Neb. ; Daniel W. resides in Stoughton ; Mary is
Mrs. E. N. Potter of Halliday, N. D. ; James H„ the subject of this
sketch, is the youngest son. James H. was born in Pelham, N. Y.,
September 16, 1811, attended the home schools, came to Wisconsin
when he was nine years old and when he was nineteen went to Cali-
fornia overland. Upon his return to Wisconsin he lived at the old
homestead which was soon purchased by James and his brother.
Daniel W. James then sold his share to his brother and later pur-
chased the entire property, of which he still retains a portion, the
remainder having been sold for village lots. For ten years Mr.
Townsend engaged in milling business in Stoughton and since that
time has resided in Cambridge. With J. W. Porter he bought the
George Dow home and he has extensive farming interests both in
Dane count}' and at Eau Caire. Mr. Townsend also owns a beau-
tiful home in Cambridge. September 9, 1868, he married Miss
Janet Dow. daughter of George and Janet Dow of Cambridge, both
oi whom were natives of Scotland and pioneers of Dane county.
Three children were born to Air. and Mrs. Townsend; Joan, the
wife of Fred Jensen of Stoughton; A. Gavina. the wife of Major
Edgar J. Hill, of Cambridge, wdio has one daughter. Joan T. ;
George Dow. the youngest, resides with her parents. Mr. Town-
send is a Democrat in political affiliations but has never been an
active politician. The family attend the Congregational church.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 915

Airs. Townsend's parents. Mr. and Mrs. Dow, came west from
New York city in 1842, and settled on a farm lying along the shore
of Lake Ripley, originally called Dow's lake. There they built a
log cabin and subsequently a stone house which is still to be seen
on the old homestead. Mr. Dow owned a mill and store at Cam-
bridge and was engaged in banking for some years at Stoughton.
He was a prominent Democrat, was the first probate judge in Jef-
ferson county and held many offices of trust in the community.
The relations between Mr. Dow and the native Pottawattomie
Indians of the lake country were very friendly and after their re-
moval farther west he received many a visit from wandering mem-
bers of the tribe, besides one from its chief. M(rs. Dow was, before
her marriage. Miss Janet Black and came from Scotland with her
parents to New York city. Nine children were born to Mr. and
Mrs. Dow, of whom five are living; George resides in Madison,
Wis. : Robe is a banker of Stoughton ; Janet is Mrs. Townsen 1 ;
Mary J. is Mrs. Royal Doolittle of Cambridge ; Isabel is Mrs. A. J.
Allen and has two daughters, Marian and Jessie. Mrs. Dow died
in February, 1898, aged eighty-seven years, and her husband lived
until August 2, 1904, having attained the great age of ninety-six
years.

Trachte Brothers, an enterprising Madison firm of tinsmiths and
manufacturers of hot-air furnaces, are natives of Dodge county, Wis-
consin. George A., the senior member, was born in Watertown, on
October 8, 1878, and Arthur Fred on April 28, 1880. Their parents,
Henry and Flora (Weiseman) Trachte, now honored residents of
Watertown at the ages of sixty-five and sixty-two respectively, are
natives of Germany, who settled in Jefferson county the year of their
immigration to this country, 1861. Thev had four sons and four
daughters. Bertha the eldest child, is the wife of Rev. O. E. Heise
of the German Moravian church at Green Bay, Wis.; Paulina is the
wife of Rev. William Engelke, pastor of the German Presbyterian
church of Waukon, la. ; Henry, a piano* tuner, makes his home at Lake
Mills; Flora is the wife of Rev. Amel Suempher, a German Moravian
minister in the Alberta province, Canada; George A. and Arthur are
the subjects of this sketch; Clara, the wife of Max Witte, lives on a
farm in Jefferson county; and Arnold is attending school. George and
Arthur attended the public schools of Watertown. George at the age
of fourteen and Arthur at the age of sixteen started in to learn the
trade of tinner. They have both made that their life business and
have been highly successful. In 1901 they entered business for them-
selves at Madison. At the time thev were the vounsrest business men

916 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

in the capital city. From year to year their patronage has increased
until now their firm is not only one of the busiest but also one of the
representative partnerships of a growing city. • During the summer
months it employs six or seven men. Good service and cour-
teous treatment have given the Trachte brothers considerable prestige
with contractors and others with whom they deal. Their place of
business is at 233 and 235 King street. Both brothers are members
of the German Methodist church.

James C. Trotter, who is now living in well-earned retirement
in the village of Oregon, Dane county, is a native of the old Buckeye
state, having been born at Deerfield, Ohio', September 9, 1838. His
parents were John and Mary (Martin) Trotter, both natives of Deer-
field, Ohio, who migrated to Wisconsin in 1846 and became highly
respected citizens of the town of Oregon, Dane county. The father
was a blacksmith and for the first two* years after taking up his res-
idence in the Badger state he conducted a shop at Monroe, the me-
tropolis of Green county. He then came to the town of Oregon and
purchased the old William Dubois farm, located about four miles
from the village o<f Oregon — paying six dollars per acre therefor —
and the family remained on this farm until the father's death. James
C. Trotter began to care for himself at the early age of twelve years.
He worked by the month in the summer, and during the winter
worked for his board and attended school, managing in this way to
secure a limited education, clothe himself and save $100 each year.
Of course as he grew older his savings grew larger, and this sort of
a life continued for him until the breaking out of the Civil War. He
enlisted on August 12, 1862, as a private in Company A, Twenty-
third Regiment of Wisconsin Infantry, and served with that com-
mand until August 8, 1863, when he was honorablv discharged on ac-
count of disability. 'With his regiment his took part in the attack on
Arkansas Post, on the Arkansas river, during which engagement his
company lost one killed and three wounded. Mr. Trotter was also
engaged in the fight a Milliken's Bend, and throughout the siege of
Vicksburg, but owing to the effects of severe camp life and the ex-
posure to malaria in the swampy country where the regiment had
been operating, his health was greatly impaired, and as stated above,
he was honorably discharged. Upon his return home his attending
physician advised him to go to the oil regions for recuperation, which
advice he followed, and four years later he returned to Dane county
and purchased one hundred acres of land near Story postoffice in the
town of Oregon, Dane county. There he was soon afterward mar-
ried, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Shepherd, of an old Dane

BIOGRAPHICAL. 917

county family, her parents being prominent citizens of the town of
Oregon. His wife died without issue, and Mr. Trotter later disposed
of h:s farm. His marriage to his present wife, (who was Mrs.
Jeanette M. Gray, daughter of Cyrus and Marie (Crane) Paddock)
took place October 17. 1885 ; and as Mrs. Trotter owned a farm of
two hundred acres in Green county, they remained thereon and did an
extensive dairy business for eight years. Then they sold the farm
and bought a home in the village of Oregon, consisting of a large and
well appointed house and three and one-half acres of ground, and
there Mr. and Mrs. Trotter have since lived in retirement. Xo chil-
dren have been 'born of their union, but by her former marriage Mrs.
Trotter became the mother of two children : Arthur Gray, who mar-
ried Miss Julia Southwick and resides at Watertown, S .D. ; and
Willis, who married Miss Alice Hook and resides in the town of Ore-
gon. Mr. Trotter is a Republican in his political affiliations and
has filled the office of supervisor for six terms. He is a member of
the Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Masonic lodge at Or-
egon, and Mrs. Trotter is a member of the Eastern Star and the
Woman's Relief Corps.

Sylvanus Trow, of Oregon, was born in Brooklyn. Green county,
October 20, 1852. His parents, Edward and Sarah (Evans) Trow,
natives of Wales, came to America in 1845 and settled in Brooklyn
where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives, and where
both died. Of their family, five sons and one daughter survive them.
The subject of this sketch received his education in the district schools
of Brooklyn and followed his father's occupation of farming. He re-
mained on his father's farm, assisting in its management until he was
thirty years of age ; then he married Miss Catharine Darkin. Jan-
uary 28, 1882, and removed to Albany where he lived twelve years.
In 1896 he moved to the town of Oregon and in 1901 settled on the
farm of one hundred and ten acres which he now owns. This he runs
for dairying, stock raising and general farming. Mrs. Trow was born
December 10, 1853. in England, and is the daughter of James and
Elizabeth (Candler) Darkin, both of whom lived and died in England,
where Mrs. Trow still has two sisters living. She came to this coun-
try in 1880 and two years later married Mr. Trow. They have six
children, Edward. Jr., born in Brooklyn: Nina Laura, Nora Edna,
Xellie May, and Maud Amy all born in Albany, and Orvifle Earl,
born in Oregon township. Mr. Trow is a Republican, a member of
the Methodist Episcopal church of Oregon villiage, and belongs to
the fraternal society. Knights of the Globe. His children have re-

918 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

ceived their education in the schools of Oregon village, and one son
is taking the short course in agriculture in the city of Madison.

Frederick Jackson Turner, professor of American history in the
University of Wisconsin, was born at Portage, Columbia county,
Wisconsin. November 14, 1861. He is the son of Hon. Andrew J.
and Mary (Hanford) Turner. His father was for many years one of
the prominent newspaper men, and Republican politicians of the state.
As editor of the Portage Register, he wTas known as an able and ag-
gressive writer; during the years 1863, 1864, 1866 and 1869, he repre-
sented the Portage district in the legislature, where he wras influential
in the councils of his party and in the work of legislation. Freder-
ick J. attended the public schools of Portage and then entered the Uni-
versity of Wisconsin, graduating- from the ancient classical course in
1884 with the degree of A. B. He was known as an excellent scholar,
and was prominent as a public speaker, orator and debater. After
graduation tie was appointed instructor in rhetoric and oratory at the
University of Wisconsin, 1885-88, and was an assistant for part of the
time to the late Prof. William F. Allen, in history. The university
granted him the degree of A. M. in 1888, and the following year he
was appointed assistant professor of American history in the Univer-
sity of Wisconsin. He then attended the Johns Hopkins University
as a graduate student in the department of history and politics. Here
he established a reputation as one of he most brilliant students ever
in attendance at that celebrated school, and was accorded the unusual
privilege of receiving its Ph. D. degree after only one year in resi-
dence, completing his thesis for the degree after his return to< the Uni-
versity of Wisconsin. He was elected professor of history in the Uni-
versity of Wisconsin in 1891, his title being changed to that of profes-
sor of American history in 1893, to> which branch he has since con-
fined himself. He is today recognized as one of the foremost of living
historians, his name being especially identified with the history and
settlement of the great American west and northwest. He is, withal,
an exceedingly popular professor, and an inspiring and gifted class
room lecturer. He has a fluent and graceful delivery, a fine command
of language, and the ability to render his subject a living thing. Pro-
fessor Turner has received many flattering offers from other Universi-
ties of prominence, but his interest in his state and University, to-
gether with the splendid facilities for research work in his chosen field
of history, afforded by the libraries of "Madison, have thus far influ-
enced his choice, and he has remained in Wisconsin. He was mar-
ried November 2^, [889, to Miss Mae Sherwood, of Chicago, and has

BIOGRAPHICAL. 919

one child living". He is a member of the American Historical Asso-
ciation, State Historical Society of Wisconsin, and a corresponding
member of the Massachusetts Historical Society and the Colonial
Society of that state; to the publications of the above societies he has
been a frequent contributor, as well as to the Atlantic Monthly, the
Educational Fev:ew, the Chautauquan. the Dial, and other literary
journals. Some of his more prominent writings are: Character and
Influence of the Indian Trade in Wisconsin, Johns Hopkins Studies,
1890; Significance of the Frontier in American History, Report of the
American Historical Association, 1893; State-Making in the Wrest in
the Revolutionary Era, Am. His. Rev., October, 1895 ; January, 1896,
The Origin of Genet's Projected Attack on Louisiana and the Flor-
idas ; same, 1898 ; Documents Illustrative of Genet's Proposed Ex-
pedition Against Louisiana and the Floridas, in Reports of the
American Historical Association, 1896-7 ; The Problem of the West,
Atlantic Monthly, 1896 ; Dominant Forces in Western Lite, same,
1897. and the West as a Field for Historical Study.

Sheldon Tusler, an extensive and prosperous farmer of the town
of Dunn, was born at Freehold, Warren county, Penn., February
23, 1838. His parents were Stephen and Mary (Hampshire) Tus-
ler, natives of England, where the father saw service in the English
army. Of nine children in the Tusler family, Sheldon Tusler is
the only one living. When but six years old he came with his
parents to Wisconsin, across country in a wagon. Their first home
was near the Humes bridge in Rock county, five miles from Janes-
ville, where Stephen Tusler had purchased forty acres of govern-
ment land. The following year he sold out and purchased another
farm from the government of sixty-two and one-half acres in the
town of Rutland, adding eighty acres to it within a few years.
Here Stephen Tusler and his wife lived the rest of their days; Mrs.
Tusler died in 1878 and her husband passed away in 1881. When
Sheldon Tusler was twenty-one years old he married (September
22, 1859,) Margaret, daughter of Jesse and Catherine (Cox) LTter
of New York, and started in to support himself and wife. In 1860
he bought sixty acres of land in Rutland township, becoming in-
debted for the whole amount. After twenty-five years he sold this
place, having paid off his debt, added to the farm until it con-
tained two hundred and thirty acres and made many improvements
on it. He then bought the farm in the town of Dunn which he is
still working. Two years were spent in Stoughton for the pur-
pose of giving the daughter certain educational advantages there,
and two years more were spent near Sidney, Neb., for the benefit

920 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

of Mrs. Tusler's health. Mr. Tusler has had ample experience in
town offices, having served two terms as chairman of the town of
Rutland and six terms in the same capacity in Dunn; one term he
was assessor of town of Rutland and three terms he has been as-
sessor of town of Rutland and three terms he has been assessor of
the town of Dunn. For several years he has been school director.
Religiously he is not affiliated with any church, but attends the
Baptist, of winch his wife is a member. Mrs. Tusler was born
March 3, 1840, and received her education in the same schools as
did Mr. Tusler, — those of the town of Rutland. She and a brother,
David Utter of Stoughton, are the only living members of the
Utter family of five. To Sheldon and Margaret Tusler have been
born three children, — Leonard A., August ig, i860, marred Cornelia
Connor, and now lives in Mitchell county. la. ; Lucius A., March 7,
1867. married Lottie Black of Cottage Grove and is now farming"
in the town of Fitchburg; Hattie May, September 7. 1873, wife of
Isaac Black, and now lives in Dunn township with her parents.

Lars I. Tygum is the owner of a fine farm in the township of
Windsor, of which township his father. Ingebrigt Larson, was one
of the very earliest settlers. Ingebrigt Larson was born in Nor-
way in 1822. received his education in the common schools in his
native place and came to the Lmited States in 1845. His first home
in Wisconsin was in Muskego, from which place, after a short
residence, he moved to Rock county and in 1847. came to Windsor.
He married, after his arrival in Wisconsin, Mrs. Bertha (Oleson)
Johnson, whose husband was drowned as they went from Chicago
to Muskego. Mrs. Johnson had one daughter at the time of her
second marriage. In 1850, Mr. and Mrs. Larson purchased a farm
in Vienna, which is now owned by their son Lars. Mr. Larson
died May 20, 1905. and Mrs. Larson June 12, 1901. Their son Lars
was born in the town of Windsor, July 10, 1849, attended the home
schools and the University of Wisconsin and has always been in-
terested in farming. He raises tobacco as well as other crops and
has lately devoted some attention to sugar beet culture. He keeps
a herd of short-horned cattle and raises Poland China hogs. Mr.
Tygum is a Republican in his political affiliations and is active in
matters concerning the schools, having served as clerk of the
school board for twelve years. Mrs. Tygum Avas. before her mar-
riage, Miss Lizzie Ziner, who was horn in Norway, March 28, 1858,
and came to Wisconsin with her parents in 1809. She is the daugh-
ter of Paul and Liz'zie (Oleson) Ziner, who came to Madison in
L869 and later resided in the town of Vienna. Mrs. Ziner died in

BIOGRAPHICAL. 921

Vienna in 1897 and Mr. Ziner went to Polk county.. Wis., where
he died in 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Tygum were married December 2.
1875, and have had eight children, of whom all but two are now
living; Betsey. Herman, Paul, Martin (deceased), Hans, Martin,
Dora Tunettie (deceased), Dora Thelma. The family attends the
First Lutheran church of DeForest.

H. J. Ulrich, secretary and treasurer of the Belleville Telephone
Co., was born in the town of Montrose, September 20, i860. His
father, John C. Ulrich was a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, and
came to this country when a child, with his mother and step-father;
they settled at Snowshoe, Center county. Pa. where the son grew up
and married Miss Elizabeth Ganzalez, a native of Pennsylvania. In
1858, they came to Wisconsin and located in the town of Montrose,
where they bought a farm and entered upon the business of farming,
in which he continued until 1882, when he retired; later he moved to
Evansville and was living there at the time of his death, January 29,
1902, in his seventy-ninth year. His wife died the following year,
June. 19, 1903, aged seventy-six; both are buried in the Belleville ceme-
tery. They had a family of six children, Francis of River Falls; Sam-
uel: Washburn, of North Dakota; Sarah, who married Alec Manson,
of Belleville; Mary married Thomas Belker, (deceased), and after his
death, George. Prucia. of Rice Lake; Alice, (deceased, buried at Evans-
ville); and H. J., the subject of this sketch and the youngest except
Alice. He was reared near Paoli on his father's farm and received his
education in the public schools. He followed farming for a few years
and in 1887 he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business: he
had a partner for two years and then carried on the business alone for
fourteen years. His fair dealing and integrity had won the confidence
of the community, so that when he sold out in 1903, he had built up
an extensive and prosperous business. At that time he was one of the
organizers of the Belleville Telephone company and has since given
his attention to that enterprise. He was united in marriage, February
16, 1881. to Miss Antha Pierce, of Paoli, daughter of Eli Pierce, one
of the earlv settlers of Springfield township, now a resident of Cali-
fornia. Mr. and Mrs. Ulrich have two children. Edith and Milton,
both at home. Mr. Ulrich has served as a trustee on the village board
of Belleville for twelve years: he is a Republican in his politics and is
a member of the order of Free Masons, belonging to the lodge at
Oregon.

John C. Uphoff is the owner of a fine landed estate of ninety
acres in Cottage Grove township, where he has resided from the

922 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

time of his birth, which occurred on the old homestead farm which
he now own-, March 16, L857. His parents, Christian and Louisa
Uphoff, were both born and reared in Germany, and were num-
bered anion-- the sterling pioneers of Dane county, having resided
in Cottage Grove township until their death. They became the
parents of fourteen children, of whom six are living, namely:
Henry, a resident of Milwaukee; William, a resident of Chicago;
Ferdinand, a successful farmer at Cottage Grove township; Au-
gust, a resident of Madison; Samuel J., a representative farmer of
Cottage Grove township ; and John C, the immediate subject of
this sketch. John C. Uphoff was reared to the sturdy discipline of
the farm and was afforded the advantages of the public schools of
his native township. He has been actively identified with agricul-
tural pursuits from his boyhood to the present, having initiated his
independent career at the age of seventeen years, when his father
gave him the homestead of fifty acres on which he now resides. A
few years later he purchased another farm, of forty acres, not far
distant from the home place, and he has since continued to operate
both farms, which are among the best in this .section of the count}'.
having good improvements and being maintained under a high
state of cultivation. His life has been such as to commend him
to the confidence and uniform esteem of his fellow men, and he is
one of the substantial farmers and popular citizens of Cottage
Grove township. In politics Mr. Uphoff votes in accord with his
convictions, being a stanch supporter of the Prohibition party and
its principles. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of
America, and both he and his wife are devoted members of the
Evangelical church. On June 3, 1880, Mr. Uphoff was united in
marriage to Miss Mary Graceley, who was born February 18, I860,
being a daughter of George and Mary (Herb) Graceley, of Cottage
Grove township. She has five sisters and one brother, namely:
Catherine, who is the wife of August Uphoff, of Madison ; Sarah,
who is the wife of William Wittie, of Cottage Grove township;
Emma, Helen and John, who remained with their father on the old
homestead, the mother being deceased; and Julia, who is the wife
of Peter C. Cotris, of Milwaukee. Mr. and Mrs. Uphoff have six
children, whose names, with respective dates of birth, are as fol-
lows. Mabel Catherine. May 12, 1881; Sadie Luella. March 3,
[884; Clara Louisa, May 12. 1886; Elmer Christian, September 21,
L889; Alice Adella, August 21. 1891 : and Raymond Franklin, Aug-
ust 31, 1894. Mabel C, the eldest daughter is now the wife of
Frank I'phoff of Cottage Grove township.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 92J*

Simon J. Uphoff, a thrifty and respected farmer of the town of
Cottage Grove, was born in the same town, June 18, 1855. His
parents were Fannet Christian and Louisa Gertrude (Dupken) Up-
hoff, natives of Germany. Of their fourteen children only six are
living, — Henry, a resident of Milwaukee; William, of Chicago; Fer-
dinand, of Cottage Grove ; August of Madison ; Simon J., the sub-
ject of this sketch; and John C, who resides on the old homestead in
Cottage Grove. Simon J. Uphoff had a very limited education. At
the age of twenty he started out to win his own bread. For one year
he rented and worked his father's farm. The second year the father
divided the estate, and Simon received fifty-five acres as his share.
After a few years he purchased two hundred and forty acres ad-
joining, so that now he has a farm of two hundred and ninety acres.
Politically Mr. Uphoff is an Independent. In 1883 his neighbors
showed their appreciation of him by electing him their town treasurer,
which office he held for two years. In his religious life he is con-
nected with the Evangelical church. On November 5, 1876, he mar-
ried Mary Ellen, daughter of Charles and Lavina Schafer, of the
town of Blooming Grove. Mrs. Uphoff was born February 23, 1855,
and died June 16, f88c). Beside Mrs. Uphoff there were ten children
in the Schafer family, of whom all are living: Daniel Franklin, now
a resident of Iowa ; Sarah Jane, widow of Walter Dodge, Madison ;
Emma Lucinda, now Mrs. Mann of Milwaukee; Horace Manuel of
Cottage Grove ; Charles Edward, of Madison ; AYilliam Arthur, of
Cottage Grove; Angelina Matilda. (Mrs. Charles Smith) of Madison;
Larin Benjamin, of Arizona ; Irwin Lerov, of Blooming Grove ; and
Frances Sophia, now the wife of the subject of this sketch. To
Simon J. and Mary Ellen Uphoff were born five children. — Adelaide
Lavina, born October 27, 1877, now the wife of Charles Korfmacher
of Cottage Grove; Charles Franklin, born October 7. 1879, who mar-
ried a cousin. Mabel Catherine Uphoff, and now resides in Cottage
Grove; Orvin Freddie, born March 16. 1882, and who married Belle
Maden, of Iowa; Warren Winfield, born March 12. 1884; and Laura
Blanche, born April 13, 1887. who married John Friedenburg, of Cot-
tage Grove. On July 22, 1891. Mr. Uphoff led to the altar Frances
Sophia Schafer, a sister of his first wife, and to this union six chil-
dren have been born, — Robert Waine. born August 19, 1892; Edith
Frances, born June 8, 1895; Marion Elizabeth, born November 24.
1898, died May 12, 1900; Leonard Arthur, born June 2, 1900; and
Ralph Edward, born February 3, 1903, and Myron Kenneth, born
November ir, 1905. Mr. Uphoff is a member nf Cottage Grove
camp. No. 3061. Modern Woodmen of America. .Aside from the

!lL>4 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

fifty-five acres given him by his father, he has had no assistance in
his climb to a position of prosperity and esteem in the community.

Frederick R. Usher is now living in retirement in the village of
Stonghton enjoying a well-earned respite from a life of activity
and close application to agricultural pursuits. He is a native of
the old Empire state, having been born at Sheridan, Chautauqua
count)-, X. Y., September 30. 1841. His parents were Newell and
Anna (Asham) Usher, both natives of Madison county, N. Y.,
where the families of each had long been prominently identified
with affairs. Indeed, members of these families were pioneers of
that portion of the state. Robert Usher, who was the paternal
grandfather of him whose name introduces this memoir, was born
in Madison county, and it is thought that he lived his entire life
there, engaged in the ancient and honorable occupation of a tiller
of the soil. The maternal grandfather was also a life-long resident
of Madison county and was engaged as a hotel proprietor during
the major portion of his active career. Returning to him who is
the immediate subject of this review it should be stated that Mr.
Usher grew to manhood in his native state and was educated in the
schools of Chautauqua county, supplementing the knowledge thus
gained by an academical course, in which he graduated at the age
of nineteen years. He had scarce had time to give much thought
to his future career when the lowering clouds of impending Civil
War attracted his attention and aroused the patriotism within him.
He enlisted on October 29, 1861, as a corporal in Company K. of
the Ninth New York cavalry and served with it in that capacity
until the one year term of enlistment had expired. During his
term of service he participated in some of the most sanguinary con-
flicts of that' year, the principal ones being the engagements at
Fairfax Court House, Manassas Junction, in the spring of 1862.
Big Bethel, the many skirmishes leading up to the siege of York-
town, May 7 to 12. 1862. and the battles of Williamsburg and
White House Landing. He was mustered out in the fall of 1862.
upon the expiration of his term of enlistment, and soon thereafter
migrated to Wisconsin, settling in the township of Rutland, Dane
county. There he made his home for nineteen years, engaged in
the occupation of a farmer, and then removed to the village of
Stonghton. where he now lives in comparative retirement. In
politics he has always maintained an unswerving allegiance to the
principles of the Republican party, and has been honored by his
fellow citizens in the election to the position of trustee of Rutland
township, and also filled for fifteen years the position of clerk of

BIOGRAPHICAL. 925

the district. In religious faith he is a Universalist and officiates
as trustee of the local church organization. On September 26,
1861, he was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Roberts, daughter
of Franklin and Sophia (Smith) Roberts, the former being a prom-
inent farmer of Chautauqua county, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Usher
are the parents of the following children: Mirton is a farmer;
Frank follows the occupation of a carpenter at Stoughton ; Charles
is a farmer in Iowa ; Duwayne is a prominent grocer at Stoughton ;
Anna is a saleswoman in the employ of a dry goods esfablishhment
in the same village, and Elbert is a farmer at Rio, Wis. The family
is well known in that section of the county and the members of it
are all highly respected. Mr. Usher identifies himself with his old
comrades in arms by keeping a membership in the G. A. R. post,
Xo. 153, at Stoughton, in which he holds the office of quarter-
master.

Charles Richard Van Hise, Ph. DM president of the University of
Wisconsin, was born at Fulton, Wis., May 29, 1857, the son of Will-
iam Henry and Mary (Goodrich) Van Hise, the former born near
Trcnton, N. J., and the latter near Bangor, Maine. The senior Van
Hise was a farmer in early life, but later became a merchant. Pres-
ident Van Hise was one of a family of four daughters and three
sons. He spent the first eight years of his life on the farm, when the
family moved to East Milton. He prepared for college at MHlton
Junction and Evansville, and entered the University of Wisconsin in
the fall of 1874, was graduated with the class of 1879 in the metal-
lurgical engineering course. He had meanwhile taught school for
one year, 1876-77. His slma mater has conferred upon him the fol-
lowing degrees: B. Met. in 1879; B. S. in 1880; M. S. in 1882 and
Ph. D. in 1892. He was married to Alice Bushnell Ring, a native of
Wisconsin, and a daughter of John and- Janet (Bushnell) Ring, De-
cember 22, 1881. President Van Hise entered the facultv of the
University of Wisconsin immediately after graduation, and has been
connected with it ever since, a period of twenty-six years, holding
successively the positions of instructor in chemistry and metallurgy
(1879-83) ; assistant professor of metallurgy (1883-86) ; professor of
metallurgy (1886-88) : professor of mineralogy and petrography
(1888-90); professor of archean and applied geology (1890-92);
professor of geology from 1892 until elected president of the univer-
sity at the April meeting of the board of regents in 1903. He has
also been non-resident professor of structural geology in the Univer-
sity of Chicago since 1892. Along with his work as a teacher, he
has prosecuted extensive research work in geology. He was assist-

926 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

ant in the Wisconsin geological survey in 1881-82; consulting geolo-
gist to the Wisconsin geological and natural history survey since
1 8 )~ : a member of the staff of the United State's geological survey
since [883, and since 1888 has had charge of the Lake Superior divi-
sion of the survey, and since 1892 has also supervised the work on
the crystalline rocks of the New England and Appalachian regions,
lie has been one of the editors of the Journal of Geology from the
date of its foundation in 1893. The results of his work have ap-
peared as monographs in various scientific journals, and government
publications, and have given him an international reputation in the
scientific world. His earlier papers were on the secondary enlarge-
ment of minerals in rocks, including quartz, feldspar, and hornblende.
Many of the details of the genesis of quartzites, schists, and gneisses
were worked out. This led to a general consideration of the phe-
nomna of the metamorphism of rocks and rock-flowage. The results
of his investigations on the alterations of rocks will shortly appear as
a monograph on Metamorphism, to be published by the United States
geological survey. A third main line of work has been stratigraphy
and historical geology. Besides various papers on these subject-,
Professor Van Hise has taken a chief part in the publication of three
monographs of the United States geological survey: No. xix, "The
Penokee Iron-bearing District;" Xo. xxviii, "The Marquette Iron-
bearing District:" and No. xxxvi, "The Crystal Falls Iron-bearing
District," all of Michigan. As Bulletin No. 86 of the United States
geological survey, he has published a "Correlation Paper on the
Archean and Algonkian Rocks of North America;" he also has a pa-
per in the Sixteenth Annual Report of the United. States geological
survey, on "Principles of North American Pre-Cambrian Geology."
When the long story of the ancient and altered rocks of our country is
finally told, it will be found that many of the more important chapter-;
have come from the observations and deductions of Professor Van
Hise. From "The University of Wisconsin," by R. G. Thwaites,
this summary of the writings of President Van Hise is obtained.

Generous Rood Van Sant, D. D. S., the leading dentist of Deer-
field, was born September 5, 1875, in Baraboo, Wis. He is one of two
children of Oliver and Nancy (Rood) Van Sant, the former a native of
[ndiana and the mother of New York state. In 1873 Oliver Van
Sant came to Sun Prairie and two< years later removed to Baraboo,
where he remained until 1884, when he returned to Sun Prairie. He
is still farming the old homestead in that town, the daughter, Edith,
making her home with her parents. Oliver Van Sant was a private
in Company K, Tenth Indiana Infantry, Captain Bush commanding,

BIOGRAPHICAL. 927

and served from 1861 to 1864, when he received his honorable dis-
charge. Dr. Van Sant attended the public schools of Sun Prairie.
His scientific training" was received at the Chicago College of Dental
Surgery, where he was graduated in 1895. He immediately began the
practice of his profession in Deerfield, and has continued there success-
fully since. In politics Dr. Van Sant is a Republican and is the pres-
ent incumbent of the office of village clerk, in which he is serving his
second term. He is not affiliated with any religious organization.
He is a member of Deerfield lodge, No. 1413, Modern Woodrhen of
America: he was elected venerable consul of this organization in 1904
and re-elected in 1905. On December 5, 1897, Dr. Van Sant married
Annie, daughter of A. O. Skaar, of Deerfield and to this union have
been born three children, — Franklin Arthur, born Sep ember II, 1898;
Morley Xansen, born in October 1901 ; and Rose Emley. born in Sep-
tember,'1903. Dr. Van Sant is a much respected citizen of the com-
munity and a leader in political and fraterneal affairs.

Napoleon B. Van Slyke, president of the First National bank of
Madison. Wisconsin, was born in Saratoga county. New York,
December 21. 1822. He is the son of Daniel and Laura (Mears)
Van Slyke ; Daniel's father was Gerrett Van Slyke. a .farmer, who
was born in Herkimer count}". X. Y., of early Holland ancestry.
Daniel was a civil engineer and had charge of the construction of
the Chesapeake and Ohio canal from Georgetown to Harper's
Ferry. He was also associated with De Witt Clinton. Jr., in the
construction of the ship canal connecting Savannah and Ogeechee
rivers in Georgia. He died while still a young man 1 age thirty-
one) in Onondaga county, X. Y.. in 1831. The mother of Xapo-
leon B. was a native of Montgomery county, X. Y., and died in
Onondaga county, in 1842, when thirty-eight years of age. Her
parents James and Louis Mears were natives of Vermont, and
spent the last years of their lives in Madison, Wis., the former
living to be ninety years of age, and the latter eighty-five. Napo-
leon B. was but nine when his father died and. without brothers or
sisters, was dependent on his own exertions for the means of living.
He received an academic education at irregular periods and place- ;
was married in 1844, at Sennett, in Cayuga county. X. Y.. to Laura
Sheldon, a native of that state, and a daughter of Hon. E. W. Shel-
don. He was again married in L859 to Annie Corbett, daughter of
Cooper Corbett, of Corbettsville. X. Y. Two children survive as
issue of the first marriage, and one of the second. During his early
manhood he engaged in farming in Cayuga county. X. Y., and was
for a short time engaged in the manufacture of salt at Syracuse,

928 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

whence he removed to Madison, Wis., in the spring of 1853. He
organized the Dane county bank in 1854, of which he was the first
cashier, and then president for five years. Mr. Van Slyke was
active in public as wrell as private affairs at this early period; was
a member of the first city council after the incorporation of Madi-
son in 1856; assissted in making many of the first substantial im-
provements in the city ; in the erection of the city hall ; in the selec-
tion and improvement of beautiful Forest Hill Cemetery ; and in
the purchase of the city's first fire engine and apparatus. Some
of the city's oldest residences were also built by Mr. Van Slyke at
this time. For a brief period before the war, he abandoned bank-
ing and engaged in the manufacture of lumber in the northern part
of the state. During the war he was assistant quartermaster of the
state until 1862 and was then placed in charge of the quartermas-
ter's department for the United States, rising to the rank of lieuten-
ant-colonel. From 1862 to the close of the war he furnished all
Wisconsin soldiers with everything pertaining to the quarter-mas-
ter's department, and was given large discretionary powers by the
general government. Since then he has been the president of the
First National bank, (No. 144) the successor of the old Dane
county bank. For man}' years he was a regent of the University
of AYisconsin, and was chairman of the executive committee for
twelve years. He has also served as president of the Wisconsin
Banker's association and as a member of the executive council of
the American Banker's association. He is also vice-president of
the Savings Loan and Trust Co.. and president of several other
corporations. He is an honorable, courteous gentleman, regarded
as one of Madison's most successful and capable business men, and
is justly held in the highest esteem in the community in which he
his lived so long.

Fritchiof Johnson Vea, president of the Stoughton Wagon Com-
pany, is one of the representative, young business men of the Badger
state and is one of Stoughton's most progressive and public-spirited
citizens. He was born in the city of Stoughton, November 29, 1875,
and is a son of Matthew and Oliva (Johnson) Johnson, both natives of
Norway. The name of the paternal grandfather of the subject of
this review was John Johnson, who was a pioneer of this county and
died in Stoughton. The maternal grandfather, Anders Johnson
(Tomomerstigen) came from Norway to' America in 1844, settling in
Cambridge township, Dane county, Wisconsin, where he secured
three hundred and twenty acres of government land, being one of the
early settlers of that township. The old homestead farm, which he

BIOGRAPHICAL. 929

reclaimed from the wilderness, is still in the possession of the family.
He passed the closing years of his life in Stoughton. Matthew John-
son, father of Mr. \ ea — the surnames differing according to the cus-
tom of Scandinavian nomenclature — came to America as a young
man and took up his abode in Dane county. Here he turned his at-
tention to agricultural pursuits, finally locating in Stonghton, where
he opened a tailor shop, having learned the trade in his native land.
Eventually he became one of the leading clothing merchants of the
town, later engaging in the buying and shipping of wool and finally
turning his attention to dealing in the local product of tobacco upon
a large scale, under the firm name of Johnson & Company. With
this line of enterprise he continued to be identified until his death.
He was one of the leading business men of Stoughton and held the
unqualified confidence and esteem of the community. He was one of
the founders and principal stockholders of the Stoughton state bank,
was the senior member of the retail grocery firm of Johnson, Tusler
& Company, and also dealt extensively in farm lands. He died Jan-
uary 10, 1883, and his widow and ten children survive him, viz., Alar-
tin A., cashier of the First National bank of Stoughton; Josie J., wife
of Olaf Hoff ; Charles, a resident of Canal Dover, O. ; Ada J., wife of
Dr. Julius Xoer; Matthew M., treasurer of the Stoughton Wagon
Company ; Georgia, wife of Dr. Henry Williard ; Martha, wife of Dr.
Walter Winchester; Fritchiof J., the immediate subject of this sketch;:
Valborg, wife of Merle Davis; and Elleda, a resident of Stoughton.
Fritchiof J. Yea was afforded the advantages of the public schools of
Stoughton and later attended Gordon academy, in Ogden, Utah. In
tooi he was graduated from the engineering department of the Uni-
versity of Wisconsin. From 1894 to 1897 he was engaged in the
mining business in southern Idaho. In 1901 he was elected president
of the Stoughton Wagon Company, one of the most important indus-
trial concerns of Stoughton, and of this office he has since remained
in tenure. In politics he is independent of strict partisan lines, and
is a member of the First Norwegian Lutheran church of his native
city.

Herman Jansen Veerhusen, junior member of the firm of Olson
& Veerhusen. clothiers and furnishers, is a Madison product. He
was born October (>. 185.*), and is a son of William and Elsbeth
( Freitag) Veerhusen, the father a native of Germany and the
mother of Switzerland. Both parents arrived in the United States
in 1848, coming directly to Wisconsin. The}" were married in
Madison in 1854. The father was one n\ the prominent merchants
59— iii

930 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

of Madison in pioneer days. His death occurred in 1888 and his
widow died in 189G. Miss Elsbeth Yeerhusen, an assistant pro-
fessor of the department of German of the University of Wiscon-
sin, is the only member of the family beside the subject of this
sketch who now resides in this locality. Herman J. Veerhusen
received his preparatory education in the common schools of this
city and in Professor George's academy, completing his scholastic
work with a course in the business college. In 1877 he formed a
partnership with Torgrim Olson and the firm of Olson & Veer-
husen has been one of the landmarks of Madison ever since. For
twenty-two years the place of business was at 23 South Pinckney
street, but in September. 1899. the firm removed to more adequate
and commodious quarters at Nos. 7 and 9 North Pinckney street.
This is the oldest partnership in the city. Politically Mr. Veer-
husen is affiliated with the Republican party, but aside from one
term as alderman in the city council, he has never aspired to nor
held political office. He is identified with the Blue Lodge of the
Masonic order, and also with the council and commandery, and is
a member of the Independent Order of Foresters, the Benevolent
and Protective Order of Elks, the AVoodmen of the World, the
Modern Woodmen of America, the Forty Thousand club and the
Maple Bluff golf club. He was one of the organizers of the Provi-
dent Building & Loan Association, the first organization of the kind
in Madison, and was also one of the original stockholders of the
Central Wisconsin Trust Company, organized in January, 1906. In
city affairs he is known as a man of influence and activity, and his
interest in them is worthy of emulation. On July 9. 1884. Mr.
Veerhusen was united in marriage to Miss Emma M., daughter
of Col. and Mrs. William Helm of Madison. To this union have
been born two children, Vera, now seventeen years of age, and
Herman li., two years younger. They are both students in the
Madison high school.

Hans Veium is one of the substantial and highly respected mem-
bers of the farming community of Dunkirk township and has been
very successful :n his efforts as an agriculturist. He was born in
Norway, July 23. 1853, and is a son of Toleff (Skobba) and Margaret
Halvor (Jonsaas) Veium. Fie was reared and educated in his na-
tive land, where he remained until he was twenty-seven years of age,
when, in 1879, he immigrated to America and forthwith made his way
westward from New York city to Dane county, Wisconsin, where he
secured employment on a farm in Dunn township, working the place
on shares and making tobacco his principal crop. He was thus en-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 931

gaged for two years, in the meanwhile carefully conserving his earn-
ings, and he then in 1881, purchased the farm of one hundred and
six acres where he now resides, subsequently adding to its area until
he now has ione hundred and fifty-nine and seventy-two one hun-
dredths acres. The greater portion of the place is under effective
cultivation, and he has made good improvements throughout, erecting
substantial buildings and showing himself to be a man of energy and
good judgment in the carrying forward of his farm enterprise. He
is a Democrat in his political proclivities and he and his family are
members of Christ church, (Norwegian Lutheran), in the citv of
Stoughton. August 2, 1884, Mr. Veium was united in marriage to
Miss Gunhil Lunde. daughter of Even and Guro (Larson) Lunde,
who were born in Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Yieum. have seven chil-
dren, namely: Tollef and Gund'a (twins). Even, Halvor, Mary, Hans,
Jr.. and Agnes.

Arthur Vickers, who is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred
acres in Albion, section 11, is of English descent but has always lived
in Abion. His father, Samuel Vickers, was born in Derbyshire, Eng-
land, and there learned the stone mason's trade, at which he worked
until 1869. He married Miss Hannah Marsden, also of Derbyshire,
and in 1869 took passage for himself and family to America. Other
men from the vicinity of their home in England had settled at Albion
and Mr. and Mrs. Vickers were encouraged by their success to con-
tinue their journey to Dane county, where they obtained a tract of one
hundred and twenty acres, partially under cultivation, and made it
their home. The buildings upon the farm were small and in bad
condition and Mr. Vickers replaced them by substantial and com-
fortable ones. While engaged in improving his farm, Mr. Vickers
also worked at His trade and soon became established. With his fam-
ily he attended the Primitive Methodist church of Albion, with which
his son Arthur and his family are likewise identified. Mrs. Vickers
died in 1897 and her husband in 1889. Eight children were born to
them : Martha, who married Thomas Moore and resides in Hanson
county, South Dakota ; John a retired farmer of Alexander, South
Dakota; George, who lives. at Edgerton; Samuel, of Mitchell, South
Dakota ; Walter a citizen of Edgerton ; Mary who married H. W.
Goodrich and lives at Elkhorn, Wis. ; Arthur, who lives on the old
homestead, and Joseph, who makes his home in Mitchell, S. D.
Arthur was born in Derbyshire, August 20, 1859, attended the com-
mon schools and has always been occupied with farming in which he
is successful. Since 1880 he has managed the old home farm which
he now owns and upon which he carries on an extensive business. In

932

HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

October, 1889. he married Miss Eizabeth Bunting, of Albion, daugh-
ter of foe and Mary Hunting, who were also natives of England. Five
children blessed the marriage: Harvey, George (deceased) Russell,
Clifford and Rosamond.

Hon. William F. Vilas. In the long roll of distinguihsed citi-
zens of Wisconsin none has achieved higher place than the subject
of this sketch. Soldier, lawyer, statesman, — his vigorous person-
ality stands forth, and marks him a leader of men. The limits of
this sketch can only hint at some of his achievements. William
Freeman Vilas was born in Chelsea, Orange county, Vt.. July 9,
is ID, and was only eleven years of age when his father, Judge
Levi B. Vilas, came to the new territory of Wisconsin and made
his home at Madison. He was one of the first graduates of the
University of Wisconsin, and was but eighteen when he received
his degree in 1858 ; a year later he went to the Albany law school
and received the degree of that eminent law school in I860; the
University of Wisconisn granted him the degrees of A. M. in 1861,
and of L. L. D. in 1885. When he had finished the law course he
at once returned to Madison and formed a partnership for the prac-
tice of law with Charles T. Wakeley, with whom was afterward
joined Eleazer WTakeley, a former United States territorial judge,
and subsequently a Federal judge in the state of Nebraska. While
in his twentieth year. Colonel Vilas argued his first case in the
state supreme court, and promptly won the esteem of his brethren
in the profession. During the earlier years of his practice he was
an exceedingly popular advocate, and established a reputation
among the people as a winner of verdicts, and an eloquent and suc-
cessful jury lawyer. His later practice, chiefly in the courts of last
resort, has found him engaged in weighty controversies, involving
large interests, and yielding him correspondingly large rewards.
His early career as a lawyer was interrupted by the Civil War.
lie bad gained some military experience in the old Governor's
Guard, and as captain of a Zouave company. When the urgent
need for troops came in 1862, he raised' a company for the Twenty-
third Wisconsin Infantry, and was mustered in as senior captain of
the regiment, being soon promoted major and then lieutenant-col-
onel, and was in command of his regiment during part of his term
of service in the absence of Colonel Guppy. He served with Grant
in tlie Army of the Tennessee, and during the Vicksburg campaign
and the subsequent siege and capture of that city, and led his regi-
ment in several battles and skirmishes. On the fall of Vicksburg,
his regiment was ordered to New Orleans, and Colonel Vilas, see-

BIOGRAPHICAL.

933

ing only a prospect of a long term of comparative inactivity in that
quarter of the Confederacy, resigned and came home. Moreover,
his father was threatened with heavy litigation, and desired the aid
of his son in defending it. Unlike many others he was able to re-
sume the duties of civil life where he had left off when he became
a soldier, and he at once pressed forward in his professional career.
Despite the high order of his natural ability, and his undoubted
oratorical ability, he was systematic, diligent and pains-taking in
the preparation of his cases, and never made the mistake of going
into court unprepared. It was at this period of his life that he was
married to Miss Anna M, Fox. in 1S66, and soon after establishhed
imself in a beautiful country home near Madison, where he could
devote his evenings without interruption to his books and family.
Though absorbed for many years thereafter in the exacting duties of
a busy and highly successful lawyer, he yet found time to delve
deep in the well of general literature, history, politics, science and
belles-lettres. In • 1872-1875, Colonel Vilas, in conjunction with
Gen. Edwin E. Bryant, his law partner from 1872 to 1883. pub-
lished a new edition, wth notes, of the Wisconsin Supreme Court
Reports, vols. 1, 2, 3. 4, 6-20; in 1875 he was appointed, together
with Judge David Taylor and Hon. J. P. C. Cottrill, as member of
a commission to revise the statutes of Wisconsin. The work was
admirably done, and was accepted by the legislature of 1878. being
the recognized authority until the revision of 1898. He was a
member of the law faculty of the university 1868-1885. and 1889-
1892, when his profound grasp of the law, and his scholarly attain-
ments came into full play ; he has rendered signal service also to
the university as one of its regents during the years 1881-1885, and
1897-1904, serving with great fidelity, and giving unsparingly of
his time and efforts ; no man has taken a deeper interest in the up-
building of the state's great institution of learning. Politicallv
Colonel Vilas has been a consistent adherent of the time-honored
constitutional principles and policy of the Democratic partv. and
has always acted in sympathy with it, except on the issues of the
Chicago platform in 1896. A brilliant stum]) speaker, he has been
a powerful factor in political campaigns, and became the acknowl-
edged leader of his party in the state, as well as one of the great
national leaders. He often declined to become a candidate for of-
fice, but served as a delegate to the national conventions of his
party in 1876. 1880, 1SSI and 1892, and in 1884 was chairman of the
convention which first nominated Grover Cleveland. As a minority
party for many years in the state, the Democracy of Wisconsin

934 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

lias put forth but few men of national distinction, among whom
Colonel Vilas is facile princeps. As Cleveland's postmaster gen-
eral, and secretary of the interior, 1885-89, and as United States
senator, 1891-97, he was afforded an opportunity to display his
talents as an administrative officer and his great powers of con-
structive statesmanship. He made a brilliant record as a member
of President Cleveland's first cabinet ; and in the senate, was one
of his trusted supporters during his second administration. Few
men have been better equipped for service in the United States
senate. He is a clear-headed, well-trained jurist, deeply versed in
constitutional law, familiar with all the needs of government, and
gifted with superb powers of expression, and a high order of
ability as a public speaker and debater. He was thus able to cope
on equal terms with the best minds of the world's greatest legisla-
tive body. He has a voice "of wonderful range and compass, capa-
ble of filling the largest auditorium," and his language is "rich in
thought, with lofty diction," while he is "felicitous and clear in
argument, vigorous always, thoroughly in earnest, full of the ardor
of conviction, never abusive of adversaries, full of high-toned
courtesy, yet a foe to be feared." His fame as an orator had be-
come national long before he was called to fill high station. His
address at the annual reunion of the Army of the Tennessee in
1878, in Indianapolis, and his speech the following year in response
to the toast to General Grant, at the banquet of the Army of the
Tennessee in Chicago, are entitled to a place among the classics
of American oratory. Cornelius Vilas Guild Hall, his beautiful
memorial to a loved daughter, and Henry Vilas Park, his large-
hearted gift to the public in memory of an only son, show his de-
votion to the city of his residence and its interests. His beautiful
and stately home, crowning the highest hill overlooking Lake
Mendota, is one of loveliest in a city of beautiful homes.

Daniel D. Vincent is a farmer of Windsor township and the pres-
ident of the Fanner's Ideal Creamery Co. He is also interested in
other business matters in the township, is agent for the Coe, Converse
& Edwards Nursery Co., which he represented for ten years, and is
a director in the Arlington Farmers Fire Insurance Co., which office,
he has held for thirteen years, and district clerk, which last position
he has held for over twenty years, and is chairman of the town board.
He is identified with the Republican party and has held the office of
supervisor and justice of the peace. Samuel Vincent, father of Dan-
iel D., was born in Scoharie county, New York, September 21, 1813,
attended school in New York and was there married to Miss Hannah

BIOGRAPHICAL. 935

Tompkins, who was also from an old New York family and was born
in 1818. Airs. Vincent's uncle, Daniel Tompkins, was at one time
vice-president of the United States. Air. and Airs. Vincent left New
York in 1849 an,d came west as far as Kenosha county, where they
lived until June, 1856, when they came to Windsor and purchased a
large farm, now occupied by their sons, Daniel V. and E. T. Vincent.
Air. Vincent died August 31, 1874, and his wife October 12, 1873.
Four of their seven children survive them. Daniel D. was born in
Scoharie county, N. Y., April 20, 1847, educated in the Windsor
schools and at the University of Wisconsin. At the age of eighteen
years he began to teach school, which profession he practiced for
thirteen terms. He now owns a farm of one hundred and twenty-
two acres, whose improvements have been almost altogether made
by the present owner and he carries on a large general farming and
Quarry business. Jnjy 4, 1872, he married Aliss Alaria Peckham,
daughter of Parden L. Peckham, who came to Wisconsin in 1855,
lived in the town of Sun Prairie and in Arlington and now resides on
a farm in Sun Prairie. Airs. Vincent's grandfather, Parden Peck-
ham, stood the draft of 1812 when they took every other man. To
Air. and Airs. Vincent were born eight children of whom but four are
living. Samuel, Herbert. Katie and Perlie T. are deceased; the
survivors are D. Ray, Phebe Delia, Rex R. and Nella Carrie

Eldert Tymesen Vincent is a prominent farmer of Windsor, and
son of Samuel Vincent, whose history appears with that of Daniel
D. Eldert T. A'incent was born in Kenosha county. Wis.. Xov. 4,
1850. He was one of a family of seven brothers and sisters, was
educated in Windsor and with his parents attended the M. E. church.
He came to the town of Windsor in 1856, when six years of age, and
has always been a farmer. His farm in Windsor is a fine property of
three hundred acres, on which he raises all kinds of farm produce and
also short-horned cattle and Poland China hogs. Air. Vincent also
owns a farm in South Dakota of one hundred and sixy acres. Air.
Vincent is allied with the Republican party. July 4, 1871. he mar-
ried Aliss Alargaret Baxter, who was born in Philadelphia, October
6, 1848, daughter of George and Alary (Eddy) Baxter. Mr: Baxter
was born in Ireland in 1800 of an English family and died in Wind-
sor, in 1866, and Airs. Baxter was born in Ireland in 1808 and was
of Scotch descent. They came to the United States from Canada
and settled in Dane county in 1853 and lived in Windsor and Burke.
Airs. Batxer was a member of the Protestant Episcopal church and
died in Aladison in 1857. Four children were born to Air. and Airs.
Vincent; Hannah Alav was educated at the Madison higfh school and

936 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

the Whitewater normal school, taught school for a short time and
married C. II. Thompson, a successful farmer of the town of Sun
Prairie. They have two sons; John Eldert and Russell Vincent.
Darwin Baxter, second child of Eldert Vincent, was educated in the
De Forest schools and died ( )ctober 18, 1902. in his early manhood,
aged twenty-six years and nine months. Margaret Ada. the second
daughter, was graduated from the high school in Sun Prairie, taught
school for some time and was married, November 30, 1905, to Aden
McCallen, of Leeds. Ethel Violet, the youngest, attended the high
schools of Sun Prairie and De Forest, was graduated from the latter,
and was afterward a student at the University of Wisconsin. In
June. 1901, she graduated from the Northwestern Business College at
Madison. Mrs. Vincent is well-educated and has been a teacher. She
leceived her education in Chicago high school and at the University of
Wisconsin. The family attends the Congregational church.

Lars N. Vingum, who operates a well equipped planing mill in
the city of Stoughton, where he also does a successful business as a
contracting carpenter, was born near the city of Bergen, Norway,
March 4, 1844. He is a son of Xels Larson Vingum and Ellen
(Nelson) Vingum. The father was a farmer in Norway, where he
remained until about 1875, when he came to Amercia and took up
his residence in Stoughton, where he passed the rema'nder of his life,
his wife having died in Norway. The subject of this sketch was reared
and educated in his native land, and in 1865, at the age of twenty-one
years, he immigrated to America and took up his abode in Stough-
ton, where served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, there-
after working as a journeyman at his trade for two years. For the
past thirty-five years he has been engaged in business for himself as
a contractor and builder, and for the past ten years he has operated
a planing mill, finding the same valuable adjunct to his contracting
business and also doing a large amount of custom work. In 1868
Mr. Vingum was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Halverson,
daughter of Halver Raaennei of Norway, and they became the parents
of six children, — Nels, Henry (deceased), Ellen (deceased wife of
Louis Larson). Mary (deceased wife of John Erdahl), Annie (wife of
Emil Herod), and Martin. In politics Mr. Vingum is a Republican,
and he and his wife hold membership of Our Saviour's Norwegian
Lutheran church. He is one of the poineer business men of Stough-
ton and is held hi high esteem in the community.

Robert Voss, a well known farmer of the town of Berry, is a de-
scendant of one of the pioneer families of that part of Dane county.
He was born at Dantzic, Germany. November [9. 1852. and when

BIOGRAPHICAL. 937

three years of age came with his parents, Frederick and Henrietta
(Leatzow) Yoss, to America. The voyage was made on an old fash-
ioned sailing vessel, and owing to rough weather lasted for eleven
weeks. Soon after landing in New York the family came on west
and finally located in the town of Berry, where the father bought
eighty acres of unimproved land, erected a log cabin, and began mak-
ing a home in the New World. While in the Fatherland he worked
at the trade of brick making but after coming to this country he fol-
lowed farming foi the greater part of his life. A.fter living on his
first farm for eleven years he sold it and bought two hundred acres
where Robert now lives. His death occurred in October, 1902. Dur-
ing his life he was a consistent Democrat in his political faith, but was
never an aspirant for office, and was a member of the Lutheran church.
His widow is st'll living- at Black Earth. They had four children, viz:
Robert, the subject of this sketch ; Alexander, who learned the trade of
blacksmith and followed it for thirty years, died in the Black Hills ;
Bertha, now the wife of Carl Fehlandt, a printer of Port Washington,
Wis. ; and August, who conducts a restaurant at Black Earth. Al-
though Robert Voss received only a limited education in his youth, he
is one of the well informed men of the community in which he lives,
having educated himself by reading and associating with educated peo-
ple. He lived at home until he was twenty-five years of age, when he
began farming on his own account. In 1887 he bought the old home
place, upon which he has built a new house and barn, and his place is
pointed out as one of the model farms of the neighborhood. He car-
ries on a general farming business, devotes some attention to stock
raising and dairying, and in all his undertakings has been successful,
owing to his industrious habits and his good business judgment. In
political matters he affiliates with the Democratic party. He takes a
commendable interest in all questions of public policy ; was for two
years constable, and has served for many years as clerk of the school
board. For fourteen years he was treasurer of St. Paul's Lutheran
church at Marxville, and was one of the liberal contributors toward
the erect'on of the church building. In fraternal circles he is a mem-
ber of the Modern Woodmen's lodge at Mazomanie. On May 31.
1877. he married Alary, daughter of Carl and Mary Fehlandt. natives
of Mecklenburg, Germany. To tins marriage have been born the fol-
lowing children: Adolph, Alma. Will 'am, Clara, Lewis. Walter.
Lunda, Ada and Robert. Adolph is employed at Gill's undertakng
establishment at Madison; Alma is also in the city: William holds a
position on the state farm, and the rest of the chidren are at home.

938 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

William H. Voss, of Middleton, is the owner of a fine stock farm,
with about two hundred and ninety acres under cultivation. His
parents wore natives of Mecklenburg.-Schwerin, Germany, and
came to America in 1852. John and Sophia (Dahling) Voss were
married in Germany and shortly after located in Milwaukee where
they remained only a year. They purchased a farm of forty acres
of wild land in section 16. upon which they worked for six years,
when they obtained eighty acres in section 19, which was partly
under cultivation. This became their permanent home and many
improvements were made and buildings erected. Mr. Voss was a
Democrat and an active member of the German Lutheran church,
whose first edifice in Middleton he helped to build. He died in
1888, leaving five children and his wife, who still occupies the old
homestead. William is the oldest son ; the next, Adolph, operates
the home farm ; Louisa married Charles Barckhan of Middleton ;
Emma is Mrs. Henry Wittenberg and Mary is the wife of Wm.
Brumm of Middleton. William was born at Middleton, August 2,
1854, educated in the district school and worked on the farm until
he was seventeen years of age. He then worked out for seven
years, when he married and located at Springfield. Mrs. Voss was,
before her marriage. Miss Augusta Frenz, daughter of Henrv and
Dora (Schaeffer) Frenz, natives of Mlecklenburg. The young
couple purchased eighty acres of farm land near Springfield and
resided there six years, then moved to Middleton and bought
one hundred and sixty acres in section 30, which is their present
home. In 1905 the old homestead was also purchased, making in
all an unusually large and valuable farm. Mr. Voss raises fine
short-horn cattle, Poland China hogs and Shropshire sheep and
raises all the feed for his stock upon his own fields. In 1881 he
built the house and a large barn in 1901. The family attends the
German Lutheran church. Mr. Voss is an active Democrat and
has held several local offices ; that of town treasurer for two years ;
clerk of the school board for twelve years. He is a member of the
local branch of the Modern Woodmen. March 4, 1879, he married
and five children comprise his family. Ella, the oldest, is the wife
of Frank Brown and lives on a farm near Verona. She has one
son, George. Emil, George, John and Clara, all live at home.
Emil attended the Middleton high school, the others the district
schools.

Hiram Vroman, a pioneer farmer of the town of Fitchburg, was
born on the homestead where he now resides, January 18, 1847. His
father was Joseph Vroman, born in 1816, in Oineida county, N. Y.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 939

The subject's paternal grandfather was Jacob Vroman, of Dutch de-
scent, who moved early in the nineteenth century to Vincennes, Ind.,
where he died, leaving seven children, John, Charles, George, Joseph,
William, Elizabeth and Sarah. Hiram Vroman's mother was
Alary \V. ( Westrope) Vroman, who was born in 1821 in Jacksonville,
111. Mr. Westrope, the subject's maternal grandfather, was a native
of Kentucky who; had removed early to Jacksonville, and from there
to Lafayette county, Wis., in 1829 where he was killed in a runaway
three years later. Mar}- Westrope (Mrs. Joseph Vroman) was the
oldest of six children, the others being Thomas, Boone, Austin, Lewis
and Ella. In 1836, in company with his brother George, Joseph Yro-
mas came on foot to Milwaukee. After two winters in the woods
Joseph started farming at Dodgeville. In 1840 he and Mary Westrope
were united in mariage and immediately after the wedding started for
Dane county, where they located on section 20 in the town of Fitch-
burg. The log house they erected was the first structure in the town.
To Joseph and Mary Vroman were born five children, George W., an
engineer on the Northern Pacific railroad, whose home is in North
Platte, Neb. ; Harriet, wife of Isom Sherman of Oneida, N. Y. ; Eme-
line, wife of S. D. Moore, Cleveland, Ohio; Hiram, and William A., a
grain dealer of Gothenburg, Neb. ; Hiram Vroman. the subject of this
sketch, received his education in the district schools, the academy
and the LJniversity of Wisconsin. In politics he upholds the Dem-
ocratic faith, as did his father. He has served as chairman of the
town board for four years and for thirty-one years has been district
clerk". Mrs. Vroman is a member of the First Congregational church
of Madison. On November 13, 1878, he married Mary E., daughter
of Boone and Sarah (Evans) Westrope. Mrs. Westrope is a native
of Pennsylvania and Mr. Westrope, now deceased, was born in Illinois.
The children of Hiram Vroman, all at home, are Joseph A., Elmer and
Harry. Mr. Vroman is engaged in general farming and stock" raising.
William Vroman, (deceased), a leading citizen and pioneer set-
tler of Madison, was born in Syracuse, Onondago county, N. Y.,
Febrnary 28, 1818. He was of Dutch descent, the family name
being originally Van Vrooman. The American founders of the
family were two brothers who settled in New York in the latter
part of the seventeenth century. Mr. Vroman's parents were
Jacob and Olive (Tools) Vroman. His father was a native of New
York and his mother of England. When he was but three years
old his parents emigrated to what was then the far west, and set-
tled in Terre Haute. Ind. Both parents soon died and the chil-
dren were sent back to relatives in New York, where they grew up

940 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

and received the advantages of a common school education. At
the age of eighteen, Mr. Yroman returned to the west, and in June,
lsiK;. readied Madison, where he found employment as a carpen-
ter and remained until October of the same year. He returned to
New York and remained there until 1844 when he married and
with his wife removed to Wisconsin. He bought land near Madi-
son and became a farmer, which occupation he followed with great
success until I860 when he was elected treasurer of Dane county
This office he held for four years, being re-elected in 1862. He
then became engaged in the lumber business, in which, and as the
senior partner in the hardware firm of Vroman, Frank & Ramsey,
he continued until 1889, when he sold his interest in both firms
and retired from active business. In nearly all his ventures Mr.
Vroman was very successful and retired from his enterprises with
an ample fortune. Always a stanch Republican, Mr. Vroman was
a determined supporter of the Union during the war, and approved
all measures for pensioning the veterans of that conflict. A resi-
dent of the county for over half a century, he was interested in
every enterprise of a public character, and had a wide circle of ac-
quaintances and many warm friends. Although belonging to an
Episcopalian family, he was a member of the Congregational
church. His wife was Miss Harriet Field, daughter of Lincoln and
Fanny (Xewcomb) Field, of Oneida, N. Y., whom he married
March 14, 1844. Their two children are Charles E. Vroman, of
Chicago, assistant general solicitor for the Chicago, Milwaukee &
St. Paul R'y, and Josephine E.. now Mrs. Edwin C. Mason, of
Madison. Mr. Yroman died at his home in Madison, May 1, 1896
Dr. B. J. Wadey of Belleville, the oldest physician of the place in
point of residence, was born at Ogle county, 111., of English parent-
age. His paternal grandfather, John Wadey. came to this county in
1853, and settled in Ogle county, 111; Dr. Wadey's father was at that
time only two years of age, and so, although he is still a com-
paratively young man. he is one of the oldest residents in that
section of the state, as the country was at that time an uncultivated
prairie. Mr. Harry Wadey married Miss Harriet Richards, and
their son was reared and received his early education in his native
county; he later attended the Sherwood normal school at Sherwood,
Mich., and in [894 entered the Rush Medical College, Chicago.
After his graduation in medicine in 1897 he located in Belleville,
where he is practicing at the present time. May 4, 1899, he was mar-
ried to Miss (dra Ross, daughter of John A. and Catherine (Martin)
of Belleville. Mr. Ross is a native of Xew York and Mrs.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 941

Ross of Scotland. Dr. Wadey is a Republican and a member of the
Presbyterian church, which organization he serves as clerk; he also
belongs to the American Medical Association, the Wisconsin State
Medical society, the Central Wisconsin Medical society, the Dane
County Medical society, and to the Masonic order, being a member
of the lodge at Dayton, Green county.

John Wahl is one of the honored pioneers and prominent far-
mers and stock-growers of Cross Plains township, where he owns
a fine landed estate of three hundred and twenty acres, being also
president of the Cross Plains Dairy Company. Mr. Wahl was
born in Horm, Germany, May 26. L835, and is a son of John and
Katherine (Biemer) Wahl, both of whom were born and reared in
Germany, where they continued to reside until 1852, when they
came to America, the entire family settling in Cross Plains town-
ship, this county, in section 2, where the father secured eighty
acres of heavily timbered land, reclaiming the greater portion be-
fore his death, which occurred in 1882, his wife having passed
away in 1856. John Wahl, Sr., was one of the charter members
of St. Francis Xavier's church, at Cross Plains, the first services of
the same having been held in his house, and he was for many years
a trustee of the church and active and zealous in the work of the
parish, his wife also having been a devoted communicant of the
Catholic church. They became the parents of three children, two
of whom are living. In politics the father was aligned as a stanch
supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, and he ever
commanded the esteem of those with whom he came in contact in
the varied relations of life. The immediate subject of this sketch
secured his education in German and French schools in his native
province, having principally attended private schools. He was
seventeen years of age at the time of the family immigration to
America and he has thus maintained his home in Dane county for
more than half a century. He assisted in the reclaiming of the
home farm and has been consecutively identified with agricultural
pursuits in Cross Plains township to the present time, while he is
now the owner of one of the most finely improved landed estates
in this section of the county, the buildings being of the most at-
tractive type, and the land under a high state of cultivation. He
has given special attention to the raising of all kinds of fruit and
to the dairying business, having a high grade of live stock, and be-
ing one of the principal stockholders in the Cross Plains Dairy
Company. He erected his fine modern residence in 1893 and his
large barn in 1809, and he still gives his personal supervision to the

942 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

farm. He has ever commanded the unequivocal esteem of the
community in which he has so long" and effectively labored, and
he served forty-five years as clerk of his school district, was town-
ship clerk for a decade, having been incumbent of this position dur-
ing the Civil War. and he has also rendered effective service as
justice of the peace. He and his wife are communicants of St.
Francis Xaviers church, in the village of Cross Plains, and he is
one of the members of its board of directors, taking an active in-
terest in all departments of the church work. February 19, 1859,
was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Wahl to Miss Eva Barbara
Ulrich. daughter of Anthony and Engelbertha (Conrad) Ulrich,
who were natives of Baden, Germany, as was also Mrs. Wahl, the
family having come to Dane county in an early day. In conclu-
sion is entered a brief record concerning the children of Mr. and
Mrs. Wahl : Katherine is the wife of Peter Birrenkott, of Black
Earth township; Max is a resident of the city of Madison and is
employed as collector for the Hausmann Brewing Company ; he
married Miss Agnes Essen ; Charles is associated in the work and
management of the home farm ; Sylvester died in the state of
Wyoming; Bertha is the wife of Matthew Kelzenberg, of Madison;
Gertrude remains at the parental home ; and Constance is attending
college in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Warren Walker, retired, of Black Earth village, was born in
Windsor county, Yt, in March, 1837. His parents, Jesse and Diantha
(Lord) Walker were natives of Windsor county, Vt, where they were
married. In 1851 Jesse Walker brought his family to Wisconsin,
coming by way of the Eric canal to Buffalo, and then by the Great
Lakes to Detroit and Milwaukee. From Milwaukee he came to the
town of Black Earth and bought a farm just north of Black Earth vil-
lage, winch at the time had only a mill and five houses. After im-
proving the place he went, in 1894, to Minnesota, where he died in
1897. His wife died in 1863. Jesse and Diantha Walker had five
children, only two of whom are living, Jane, who makes her home in
New York state, and Warren, the subject of this sketch. Until he
was twenty-one Warren lived at home, receiving such educational ad-
vantages as the schools of the vicinity offered. Then he started farm-
ing and followed it without a break until 1901, when he retired and
removed to Black Earth village. Mr. Walker is a stanch Republican,
and although he has never aspired to office, he has been honored with
several positions. On November 24, 1861, he married Ellen L.. daugh-
ter of Orien and Dorcas L. (Pierce) Haseltine. Mr. and Mrs. Hasel-
tine had lived in the same locality in Vermont from which Mr. Walk-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 943

er's parents had come, and had removed early to Waukesha county,
Wis., and ten years later to Black Earth, where Mr. Haseltine helped
plat the vilage. He was well known throughout the county as a pol-
itician and stanch Republican, and was the father of seven children.
of which number Orien P., a farmer living near Black Earth, Rollin,
and Calista Park of Grand Junction, la., and Ellen L., (Mrs. Walker)
are the only ones living. Mir. Walker is a member of the Ancient
Order of United Woodmen. Mr. and Mrs. Walker have had three
children. Elmer W., the only living child, is the superintendent of
the state school for the deaf at Delavan, Wis. He was educated in
the schools of Black Earth and the University of Wisconsin. One
child, Avenelle, passed away in 1882, at the age of five and one half
3'ears. Since graduating Mr. Elmer Walker has taught in Westfield,
Black Earth, Whitewater and Superior. While living at Westfield
he married Miss Martha Tompkins, who is now matron of the institu-
tion of which her husband is superintendent.

Martin Walsh, of Waunakee, -is a native of Ireland, born in 1837.
His parents, Patrick and Mary (Whalen) Walsh were born and died
in Ireland. Mr. Walsh received his educational training in his native
land. In 1855, he came to New Orleans where he remained one year,
and in 1856 came north and located first in Springfield, and later
(1861) in Westport township. In 1865, he entered the Wisconsin
Volunteer infantry as a private in Company G, Forty- fourth Regiment,
and was mustered out the same year. In Westport he bought eighty
acres of land, which in time he doubled. This property is operated
for general agricultural purposes and stock raising, and in this he is
assisted by his son, Edward J., who was born on the homestead
March 14, 1882, was educated in the common school and the Middle-
ton, high school, is politically a Republican and is serving his second
term as clerk of the township. The subject of this sketch is a Repub-
lican, and the family are members of the Catholic church. His wife
was Miss Bridget Lynch, born in Ireland, in 1847, daughter of Peter
and Bridget (McQuellen) Lynch, both natives of that country. Af-
ter the death of his wife Mr. Lynch came to America and located in
Dane county, in 1861 ; his home has been in Westport since 1895. To
Martin and Bridget (Lynch) Walsh have been born ten children,
Patrick (deceased); Mary; Celia (deceaseel) ; Peter; Xellie ; Willie
and Martin (deceased); John; Edward J.; Joseph M.

Otto Walters, junior partner of the cigar manufacturing firm of
Baus & Walters, was born in Hanover, Germany, September 3,
1868. Hi's parents were John and Dorothy (Pleuer) Walters, na-
tives of Germany where the father died in 1870 at the age of thirty-

944 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

two years. The mother was married, later, to Charles Kuehne,
a laborer of Madison. She died February 26. 1903, in Madison.
By her first husband she was the mother of three children. Otto;
George, a tailor; Sophia, Mrs. William Wirka, of Madison; by her
second husband she had one son, Philip Kuehne, a member of the
Madison Model Creamery firm. Otto Walters received his edu-
cation in the public schools of Madison. Then he learned the
cigarmakers' trade and has worked at it almost continuously since.
On October 22, 1!M>2, he married Dorothy Stehr, a native of Ger-
many who came to this country when but five years of age, and
by her has two children, Edna and Aneta. Mrs. Walters is a mem-
ber of the German Lutheran church. Mr. Walters belongs to the
Woodmen of the World and to the Eagles. He is the traveling
salesman of the firm.

John Walterscheit, who died on his fine homestead farm, on the
northeastern shore of beautiful Lake Monona, on March 30, 1904, was
one of the well known and highly respected citizens of Blooming
Grove township, while it was his distinction to be one of the brave
( rerman-American citizens of Dane county who went forth in defense
of the Union when its integrity was menaced by armed rebellion. Air.
Walterscheit was born in famous old Cologne, one of the provinces of
Rhenish Prussia, on March 8, 1832, and in the same province were born
his parents, Theodore and Magdaline Walterscheit, who there passe .1
their entire lives. His brother Theodore was a soldier in the Franco-
Prussian war, in which he sacrificed his life on the field of battle. Mr.
Walterscheit was reared and educated in his native province, where
he learned the trade of broom-making. As a young man he set forth
to seek his fortunes in America, and he became one of the early repre-
sentatives of Germany in Dane county. He located in Springfield
township, where he followed his trade up to the outbreak of the Civil
\\ ar. when his loyalty to his adopted country was roused to definite
protest, the result being that, in September, 1862, he sacrificed all per-
sonal interests to go forth as a soldier of the Union. He enlisted as a
private in Company G, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry,
with which he saw long and arduous service, having taken part in many
of the most important battles and operations incidental to the progress
of the great civil conflict. Among the more noteworthy should be
mentioned the following; Helena, Arkansas; Friar's Pont, Missis-
sippi; Dewall's BlufF, Arkansas; Port Gibson. Fourteen Mile Creek,
Champion Hills, siege of Vicksburg and battle of Jackson, all in Mis-

ssippi; and the subsequent operations in Louisiana and Alabama, in-
cluding the engagements at Carrion Crow Bayou) Spanish Lake, Sa-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 945

Line Crossroads, Alexandria, Marksville, Spanish Fort and Fort
Blakely, besides several others. He thus continued in active service
until victory had crowned the Union arms and the long and bitter
struggle reached its clos^: he was mustered out in June, 1865. duly
receiving his honorable discharge. His interest in his old comrades
was manifested in later years by his retaining membership in the Grand
Army of the Republic. After the war Air. Walterscheit was employed
for nine years at the Dane county orphans' home, and after the closing
of this institution he engaged in the dairy business in MJadison, where
he built up a large and profitable trade, supplying a large number of
customers with milk and cieam. This line of enterprise practically en-
grossed his attention for fourteen years, at the expiration of which he
located on his farm, in Blooming Grove township, where he passed the
remainder of his life. He was a man of unbending integrity and won
and retained the good will and regard of those with whom he came in
contact. He was a devoted communicant of the German Catholic
church and was a Democrat in his political proclivities, while for three
years he served as school elerk in his township. On September 2.
1865, Mr. Walterscheit was united in marriage to Mrs. Margaret
Fibers, widow of Feter Elbers and a daughter of Matthew A. and
Anna M. (Neasen) Adolph, both of whom were born in Germany.
Mrs. Walterscheit's one son by her first marriage was Constantine El-
bers, who was boni October 31, 1862, and who died March 3, 1903.
Her first husband, Peter Elbers, served in the Civil War, as a member
of the Fourth Regiment Wisconsin Calvary and died in Cairo, Wis.
on his way home on a furlough. Mr. and Mrs. Walterscheit became
the parents of nine children, concerning whom the following record is
entered: Theodore, born November 3, 1866, died May 5, 1898, hav-
ing been waylaid and killed by thugs in the city of Chicago. Anna S.,
who was born December 17, 1868, was married in 1887, to James
Nolan, now a resident of Janesville, Wisconsin, where she die I July 4,
1904. Bernard H., born April 22, 1871, resides in Chicago. John W..
born April 13, 1874. married Miss .Minnie Wisinger, and they reside
on a farm near the old homestead of his father. Matthew A., born
August 21, 1876, remains with his widowed mother on the farm.
Frank J., born September 22, 1878. died at the age of fourteen months.
Anna M., born September 20, 1880. is the wife of Patrick O'Day. of
Blooming Grove township; Sophia was born September 29, 1883, and
Frederick J.. M&rch 20. 1889, and they are still at the parental home.

Charles Waltzinger, proprietor of the "Bon-Ton," a confection-
ery store at 19 North Pinckney street, was born in Madison, Feb-
ruary 7. 1858. He is a son of A. F. and Elizabeth (Scherhamer)
60— iii

946 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Waltzinger, both natives of Prussia. The father came to the
United States while still a youth. He opened and conducted for
many years the only confectionery store in .the Capital city and was the
first man to bring- a bunch of bananas to Madison. At the time of
his death in 1901 he was probably as widely and well known as any
man in the city. His wife was a member of the Catholic church.
There were eleven children in the family. Charles, the first born,
died at the age of six years. August F., is in the confectionery
business in Madison. Elizabeth, now Mrs. A. C. Maas, resides in
Madison. Henry J., makes Chicago his home. Minnie is the
wife of William Askew of Madison. Louis is a tracer for the
American Express company and makes Chicago his headquarters.
Emma is the wife of John Hyland of Madison. Miss Amelia
makes her home with the subject of this sketch. Louise is the
wife of Mr. Walter Afford of the capital city. Bertha married
George Boniface. After completing the course of study in the
city schools Charles Waltzinger went into his father's employ.
Subsequently he worked at the same business in New York, Bos-
ton, Philadelphia. Providence, Baltimore, Buffalo and Detroit.
After his return to Madison he was again employed by his father,
but after a year or two joined a theatrical party, doing acrobatic
"stunts." Three or four years of the time he was in New York and
for a number of months traveled with the Forepaugh & Sells
Brothers circus. On again returning to Madison he purchased his
father's business and has been successfully conducting it ever
since. He has at present a beautiful and well equipped store and
does an immense business. Mr. Waltzinger was united in mar-
riage to Miss Apoloma Fichten, a native of Madison, and daugh-
ter of Hubert and Helen (Berhand) Fichten, natives of Germany.
Mr. Fichten died at the age of sixty-six. Of the children in
the family seven are still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Waltzinger has
been born one son, August Frederick. Mrs. Waltzinger is a com-
municant of the Catholic church. Fler husband is a member of the
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias,
the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Order of Eagles.
lie is genial, courteous and hearty, and a great favorite among his
many friends.

Colonel Clement E. Warner is a well-known farmer of the town
of Windsor and a veteran of the Army of the Potomac in the Civil
War. The family came to Wisconsin from New York in 1852.
Samuel Warner, grandfather of Col. Warner, was born in Connect-
icut. Samuel A. Warner, son of Samuel, was born in Otsego

BIOGRAPHICAL. 947

county, N. Y., there received his education and came to Windsor
township in 1854. He owned a farm of one hundred and sixty
acres and was prominent in the community. He was an ardent
abolitionist and Republican. Mrs. Samuel A. Warner was, before
her marriage. Miss Martha E. Simonds, a native of Rutland, Ver-
mont. She lives in the town of Windsor, aged ninety-five years.
Of her six children, but three are living. Her son, Clement E.,
was born in Batavia, Genesee county, N. Y., February 23, 1836, at-
tended the home schools, the Sun Prairie Academy and the Uni-
versity of Wisconsin in its early years and has always been en-
gaged in farming since his return from the war. In March, 1864,
he enlisted as captain of Company B of the Thirty-sixth Wisconsin
Volunteer Infantry and fought through the bloody Wilderness
campaign at Spottsylvania, the North Anna river. Cold Harbor,
Deep Bottom and Petersburg. At Deep Bottom, he was wounderd
and lost his left arm. In the final assault on Petersburg, he was
in action and was also present at the surrender of Lee at Appo-
mattox, April, 1865. During that arduous year he was promoted
from captain to major, lieutenant-colonel and colonel and finally
mustered out in July, 1865. Since that time Colonel Warner has
engaged in the peaceful occupation of farming and owns a three
hundred acre farm on which he raises a considerable amount of
stock, Poland China hogs and short-horned cattle, besides giving
some attention to the growth of beets and general farm produce.
He is a member of the G. A. R. and one of the trustees of the
soldiers' aid fund of Dane county. In political affiliation a Repub-
lican he has held various offices in the county. For twenty-one
years he was superintendent of the Dane county poor farm and
trustee of the insane asylum for twelve years. Two terms of the
legislature saw him in his seat in the assembly and he was elected
to the senate for one term. In February. 1867, he married Miss
Eliza Noble, who was born in New York, daughter of Alanson
Noble, who lived later in Beloit. Wis. Six children were born to
Colonel and Mrs. Warner, Ernest W., the oldest son, is a graduate
of the University of Wisconsin and a prominent lawyer of Madi-
son, Wis. Edith M., attended Oberlin University in Ohio. Bes-
sie also received her education at Oberlin ; Fannie graduated from
the University of Wisconsin, as did her sister Florence and brother
Julius. The last-named specialized in geology at the University.
The family is identified with the Congregational church of which
Colonel Warner has been a member for fifty years. He was one of

948 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

the organizers of the Windsor Union Congregational church in
1854.

Hon. Ernest Noble Warner, is a native of Dane county. He was
born in the town of Windsor. July 23, 1868, son of Col. C. E. and
Eliza (Noble) Warner, the former a native of Batavia, N. Y., and
the mother a native of Oneida county, N. Y. The parents still occupy
the farm at Windsor, which has been their home throughout their mar-
ried life. Mr. Warner took a preparatory course in the Madison high
school. He received a degree from the academic department of the
University of Wisconsin in 1889. In the fall of 1890 he entered the
law department of the same institution. In 1891 he was admitted to
the bar upon examination by the state board of law examiners, but con-
tinued his work in the law school, and received the degree of LL. B.
in 1892. He immediately entered upon the practice of his profession
in Madison, and has continued it successfully since. Politically Mr.
Warner is a stanch Republican. He has received numerous honors
at the hands of his party. In 1892, the year of his graduation from
the law department, he was the nominee of his party for the office of
district attorney. In 1899 he was appointed law examiner in the
office of the attorney-general and continued in that capacity until 1903.
During these years he was doing faithful work for his party as secre-
tary of the Dane county Republican committee, and also serving as a
member of the city committee. In he fall of 1904 he was the nominee
of the Republican party for the lower branch of the state legislature.
Notwithstanding the bad split in the party that year Mr. Warner was
eleced by a good majority. He easily took rank as one of the leaders
of the assembly throughout the session of 1905. The state civil serv-
ice bill, placing the appointive officers of the state upon a merit basis
was championed by Mr. Warner. This measure became law and is
acknowledged by persons high in authority on this class of legislation
to be perhaps the most comprehensive and satisfactory civil service
law enacted. All through the session he was one of the adminis-
tration leaders on the floor and did much to carry through the house
the measures to which his party was pledged. On behalf of the Re-
publicans of the legislature he was selected to present the name of Hon.
Robert M. LaFollette, as their choice for the United States senator.
During many years Mr. Warner has delivered numerous public and
political addresses throughout the state, and has contributed to news-
papers and magazines articles on kindred subjects. On July 5, 1894
he was married to Lillian Dale Baker, daughter of Rev. John Uglow
and Elizabeth (Dale) Baker. Mr. Baker was an early settler in Iowa
county. Wis., and served throughout his mature years as local preacher

BIOGRAPHICAL. 949

of the Methodist Episcopal church. For a few years of his early res-
idence in the state, 1 837-1 841 he was engaged in lead mining. He
died in Madison, August 24, 1902, at the age of eighty-four. Airs.
Baker having died December 25, 1899, at the age of seventy-five.
Mrs. Warner, was a classmate of her husband, graduating from the
University of Wisconsin in 1889. For four years after graduation she
taught in the schools of the state. To Mr. and Mrs. Warner, have
been born three children: John Clement, July 9, 1896; Elizabeth
Dale, June 23, 1900; and Ernest Noble, Jr., December 2, 1905. Both
Mr. Warner and his wife are members of the First Congregational
church of Madison, taking an active part in its work. At present Mr.
Warner is one of the trustees of the society. They are members of the
University O'f Wisconsin Alumni Association, (Mr. Warner having
served the Association for many years in an official capacity) and Mrs.
Warner having served for one term as vice president. Mr. Warner
belongs to the order of Sons of Veterans, Modern Woodmen of Amer-
ica, Independent Order of Foresters and Defenders. He is a life
member of the State Historical Society, a member of the State Civil
Service Reform 'Association and a member and executive officer of the
State Bar Association.

Wilber W. Warner, well-known citizen and business man of
Madison, Wis., was born on July 24, 1850. at Lockport, Erie county,
Penn., and is the son of William C, and Susan (Partridge) War-
ner. The father of our subject was born in Rome. N. Y., in 1813,
where he grew to manhood and married. In 1852 he brought his
family to Baraboo, Wis., where he was a well-known citizen for
many years, serving as postmaster of the town under President
Buchannan. In 1864, he went to Colorado and spent a number of
years prospecting and locating mining properties. He died in
Baraboo, July 24, 1882. In his mining work Mr. Warner was as-
sisted greatly by his son (W. W.J who seemed to possess to a
marked degree, the faculty of locating mineral deposits.

W. W. Warner was prepared for the University of Wisconsin at
the collegiate institute, Baraboo. Ht entered the university with
the class of '77, but left the same in his sophomore year. He be-
came a clerk and traveling salesman for H. X. Clark, music dealer
of Madison, and in 1875, Mr. Clark failing, our subject succeeded
to the business, which he reorganized and placed on a strong basis.
This business he has since conducted with uninterrupted success
to the present, the establishment being one of the largest in this
section of the state in its line, and one of the oldest business houses
in any line in the city. In 1883 he was awarded a gold medal by

950 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

the Wisconsin Agricultural Society for his fine display of musical
instruments at the state fair.

Mr. Warner has served as a member of the city water board, and
rendered valuable service to the city in that capacity and along the
line of municipal improvement and economy. On May 13, 1875, Mr.
Warner married Medora A., daughter of Sherman W. Finster, of
Pulaski, X. Y., and to them a son, Paul S., has been born, who is
associated with his father in business.

Justin S. Waterman is one of the highly respected citizens of the
village of Oregon, and although a comparatively young man he can
look back upon an extended and successful business career. He
was born in the state of Connecticut, November 12, 1854, and was
the only child of J. S. Waterman, Sr., and his wife, Clara J. (Sug-
den) Waterman. The father was born in Vermont, and the mother
was of Scotch descent, but her place of birth is unknown to her
son, as the parents died when he was but four years of age. Being
thus left an orphan at so tender an age, and with neither brother
nor sister, he was taken care of by a kind-hearted uncle, Charles
Waterman, who reared him to manhood. It is but fitting that our
subject's benefactor should be given more than a passing mention
here. Charles Waterman was born October 13, 1822, in Orleans
county, Vermont, and afterward resided in Springfield, Mass., and
Windsor Locks, Conn., being in business at different times in each
of these places. He came to the town of Oregon, in Dane county.
Wis., in 1849, and in May of that year bought what became the
Waterman homestead, a farm of two hundred acres. The first
survey for a village plat was made not long thereafter, under Mr.
Waterman's direction and on part of his land, and in 1858 he
opened and for two years conducted the Oregon Exchange hotel,
it being the first hostelry in the village. For two years, beginn'ng
in 1SG0, he was engaged in the mercantile business, and in 1862-3
was a contractor in grading the Chicago & Northwestern Railway
from Oregon to Madison. He was in the livery business at Oregon
from 1874 to 1880, and the remainder of his business career was
devoted to farming. In politics he was a Democrat, and filled the
positions of justice of the peace, and collector, and for six years
was deputy sheriff of Dane county. During his incumbency of the
latter position he was shot and seriously wounded by a horse-thief
whom he was endeavoring to arrest — an incident that will be re-
membered by the older residents of the county. J. S. Waterman,
to whom this memoir specially refers, received his education in the
common schools of Dane county, and at the age of nineteen years

BIOGRAPHICAL. 953

started in life for himself. He first began in the business of buy-
ing- and shipping live stock, and followed that line very success-
fully for a period of sixteen years. Since about 1889 he has de-
voted his attention almost exclusively to farming, with the usual
adjunct, stock-raising. In the latter business he has more than
a local reputation, as he has raised a great many blooded horses,
and has shipped stallions to all parts of the United States, the Ger-
man coach stallions being his specialty. He is the owner of two
hundred and eighty-seven acres of land, two hundred acres of
which are within the corporate limits of the village of Oregon,
and the entire tract is well improved, being either under cultiva-
tion or devoted to grazing purposes. At this place Mr. Waterman
has made his home for forty-two years, and no one is more favor-
ably known or more highly respected than he and his estimable
wife. He was married on April 27, 1873, to Miss Anna T. Ozburn,
daughter of William T. Ozburn, deceased. Mrs. Waterman is of
Scotch-Irish descent and her parents came originally from Penn-
sylvania. They lived a number of years in Illinois, but moved to
Dane county about 1885, Mrs. Ozburn now living with her daugh-
ter in Oregon. Mr. Waterman is a Democrat in his political views,
and in religious matters unites with the Presbyterian church. No
children have been born to Mr. Waterman and wife.

George C. Watson, a prominent nurseryman of Stoughton, has
attained to marked success in. his chosen sphere of endeavor and is one
of the well known and nighly esteemed citizens of Dane county's
second city. Mr. Watson was born at Maiden Hall, Suffolk county,
England, June 19, 1841, and is a son of William H. and Charlotte
(Kent) Watson, who immigrated to America in 1848, making Wis-
consin their destination. They settled in Dunkirk township, Dane
county, where the father purchased six hundred acres of government
land, paying one dollar and a quarter an acre, the patent to the prop-
erty being signed by President Zachary Taylor. Mr. Watson re-
claimed three hundred and fifty acres of this heavily timbered tract
and here continued to1 make his home for many wars, finally remov-
ing to Rock county, where he died at the age of eighty-three years,
his wife having preceded him into eternal rest. They became the par-
ents of n'ne children, namely: Samuel. William. ( ieorge C, Charlotte.
Frances, Edward, Alfred. Emily, Mary-Ann. Charlotte is the wife of
James Taylor; Emily is the wife of Moses Chidester; Mbry Ann is the
wife of Rev. George W. Burdick; and Frances is the wife of Albert
Martin. George C. Watson was reared to the sturdy discipline of the
pioneer farm, early beginning to contribute Irs quota to the work of

952 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

the same, and being afforded the advantages of the common schools
of the locality and period, and later finishing his education at Milton
College. He has passed practically Ids entire life in Dunkirk town-
ship. On attaining to his legal majority he engaged in farming in this
township, continuing his operations as a general agriculturist until
1882, in March of which year he removed to Stoughton and engaged
in the nursery business, to which he has since devoted his attention and
in which he has been most successful. In politics he is a stanch sup-
porter of the cause of the Republican party, and served one term as
clerk of Dunkirk township and later as alderman of the city of Stough-
ton. October 16, 1867, Mr. Watson was united in marriage to Miss
Mary Gilbert, daughter of Samuel A. and Charlotte M. (Clark) Gil-
bert, who came to Wisconsin from Oswego county. Xew York, in 1844,
first settling in Kenosha county and later becoming pioneers of Dun-
kirk township, Dane county, where they passed the closing years of
their lives. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Watson ;
Willis L. : Albert E. ; George R. ; Alfred A. ; Maude L. ; Lucius H.
Four are still living, Albert E., having died in infancy and George L.,
in young manhood. Maud L. is the wife of Thomas Derrickson.
Mrs. Watson's father was born in Tolland county, Connecticut, and her
mother in Scriba, X. Y. Samuel A. Gilbert was a son of George O.
and Theodora (Gilbert) Gilbert, the former of whom was a son of
Colonel Samuel Gilbert, who commanded a regiment during the War
of the Revolut'on. He was a son of Samuel Gilbert, of Keene, New
Hampshire, who was a son of Samuel Gilbert, of Hebron, Connecti-
cut, the latter being a son of Sir Matthew Gilbert, of England who
was lieutenant governor of Connecticut colony in 1662. The maternal
great grandfather of Mrs. Watson was Judge Sylvester Gilbert, a
brother of Colonel Samuel Gilbert, previously mentioned. Judge Gil-
bert served several terms in Congress, having been, when first elected,
the youngest member of the house of representatives and the oldest
member when he was again elected to that body, many years later.

William Weber is the owner of one of the beautiful farms lying
on the shores of Lake Monona and in close proximity to the capital
city, his place being at the western end of the lake and comprising
seventy-one acres. Mr. Weber is a native of the Badger state, having
been born in the village of Oak Creek, now South Milwaukee, Wis-
consin. August 17. 1849, and being a son of James and Caroline
(Gower) Graham the former of whom was born in Scotland and the
latter in ( in-many. He was an infant at the time of his father's death,
and has always born the name of his mother's second husband, Mr.
W eber. He received very limited educational advantages, as a boy

BIOGRAPHICAL. 953

attending in a somewhat irregular way, the public schools of his na-
tive village, and early beginning to depend upon his own resources.
He has won success through his own efforts and is now in indepen-
dent circumstances. He has been a resident of Dane county for the
past thirty-one years and has made his farm one of the most attrac-
tive in this section of the state, the same being under a high state of
cultivation and improved with good buildings. Air. Weber gives his
political support to the Republican party, and both he and his wife
are members of the German Lutheran church. October 14, 1875, he
was united in marriage to Miss Fredericka Kepka, daughter of Fred-
erick and Sophia (Stoll) Kepka, both native of Germany. Mr. and
Mrs. Weber have four children whose names, with respective dates of
birth, are as follows: William Herman, January 5, 1877; Carl Fred-
erick Daniel, January 14, 1883; Caroline Sophia, June 1, 1889; and
Elsa*Emma, February 18, 1892.

William Wernick is the owner of a large farm in the township
of Windsor and an old resident of the community. Gottlieb and
Louisa (Wrolf) Wrernick, his parents, were natives of Germany and
spent their entire lives in the Fatherland. Gottlieb Wernick
served in the war between Germany and France in 1812 and at his
death in 1877 was eighty-five years of age. Mrs. Wernick died in
1824. Four children were born to them ; Caroline, Henrietta Al-
bertine and William, of whom William is the only survivor. Wil-
liam Wernick was born in Germany February 25, 1823, received
his education in Germany and came to the United States in 1852,
twenty-eight years of age. He soon decided to make Dane county.
Wis., his home and obtained a farm of 80 acres from the govern-
ment and worked in the pine woods to pay for it. To this prop-
erty he added from time to time until his farm comprised three
hundred and fifty-two acres. Mr. Wernick carries on an extensive
general farming business and raises considerable stock. He is al-
ways actively interested in local affairs and has served as super-
visor in the town of Windsor. Fie is a Democrat in his political
sympathies. Mrs. Wernick is also. a native of Germany and was
before her marriage. Miss Matilda Schneider. Mr. and Mrs. Wer-
nick were married June 1, i860, and their marriage has been blessed
by eight children; Albert, the oldest son. is a successful farmer;
Emil resides in Hillsboro and is the president of the state bank of
that city; Louisa is the oldest daughter and Agnes next to her in
age; Matilda is the wife of Fred Meixner; Richard is deceased;
Willie also a farmer and the youngest daughter is Augusta. Mrs.
Wernick was prominent in the Lutheran church, which her family

95 1 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

attends. She died January 26, 1896. Mrs. Wernick was the daugh-
ter of Emmanuel and Theresa (GolmokaJ Schneider, both of whom
were born in Germany and Mr. Schneider spent his entire life
there. After his death in 1856, his wife came from Windsor and lived
there from 1870 to her death in April, 1874.

Christian Wessel, is now living retired in the city of Madison,
having a pleasant home at 308 South Patterson street. His vocation
during his entire active career was that of farming, and that he made
a success of his operations is evidenced in the competency which he
gained. Mr. Wessel is a native of the province of Wrestphalen, Ger-
many, where he was born November 5, 1838, being a son of John and
Mary (Glentmeier) Wessel, who passed their entire lives in that pro-
vince, the father having been a farmer by occupation, and having
served three years in the Union army during the Civil War. Mr.
Wessel was reared and educated in his fatherland, where he remained
until he had attained the age of seventeen years, when, like many
another of his worthy countrymen, he set forth to win such fortune as
could be gained through personal effort in the great American repub-
lic. He landed in New York city in 1855, and in that state soon
found employment on a farm devoted almost entirely to the cultiva-
tion of broom corn, and he continued to be concerned with agricultural
pursuits in the old Empire state until the time when the integrity of
his adopted country was thrown into jeopardy through the outbreak of
the Civil War. His loyality was of no uncertam nature, for in the
autumn of 1862 he enlisted as a private in Companv C, One Hundred
and Fifty-third New York Volunteer Infantry. He proceeded to
the front with his command, and took part in a number of the import-
ant engagements of the great conflict between the states, including the
battles of Pleasant Hill and Markville, La., and Cross Lanes, in
wli rli last engagement the troops had to march and fight three abreast.
In this engagement he was severely wounded, being sent to the Chest-
nut Hill hospital, in the city of Philadelphia, where he was confined
seven monhs. He continued in the service until the close of the war,
having received his honorable discharge in the autumn of 1865. After
being mustered out lie returned to the farm, where he remained until
tlie following spring, when he was married. Shortly afterward, in the
summer of 1866, he started with his bride for the state of Wisconsin.
They located in Sauk county, where he farmed rented land for the
first tw<> years, after which he purchased a farm of one hundred and
twenty acres, in Troy township, that county, where they resided until
Id tin- property and removed to Dane county, purchasing a farm
in Blooming Grove township, near the capital city. There he was.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 955

successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1895, when he re-
moved to the city of M]adison, where he has since lived practically re-
tired, still retaining possession of his farm. He has stood for loyalty
of the highest type as a citizen, as did he when following the old flag
on the battle-fields of the south, and he is held in high regard by all
who know him. He is a stalwart supporter of the principles of the
Republican party, is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic,
and both he and his wife are members of the German Methodist
Episcopal church. March 29, 1866, Mr. Wessel was united in mar-
riage to Miss Mary L. Hugo, daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth
Hugo, who were born in Westphalen, German}", as was also Mrs. Wes-
sel. Mr. and Mrs. Wessel have one child, Carrie Louisa Mary, who
was born May 5, 1872, and who is now the wife of George Yoit, of
Blooming Grove township.

Charles E. Whelan, national lecturer for the Modern "Woodmen
of America, is a Dane county product. He was born August 26,
1862. His parents were Curtis E.. and Martha (Rowleyj Whelan.
Curtis E. Whelan came to Wisconsin in 1848. He was a black-
smith by trade and followed this occupation until his retirement in
1895. He is now an honored resident of Mazomanie. For two
generations preceding Curtis E. Whelan the male members of the
family had been blacksmtihs, and on both sides were noted for
their longevity. Curtis Whelan's grandparents lived to be ninety-
four and ninety-eight years old, while his parents passed away at
the ages of ninety-four and eighty-eight. Martha Whelan's father
was Rev. Moses Rowley, a Baptist minister, who drove to Wiscon-
sin from New York and was not only one of the oldest settlers of
the state but one of the first Baptist ministers. He lived to be
eighty-seven years of age. His wife was Lydia Barrell. a daugh-
ter of Colburn Barrell. Jr.. a Revolutionary soldier, as was his
father, Colburn Barrell. Sr.. who died while a prisoner of the British
forces on board a vessel near Quebec. Martha Rowley Whelan
died April 24, 1905, at the age of eighty-six years. Both she and
her husband were life long members of the Baptist church. The
subject of this sketch was the youngest of their four children. The
others were Alfretta L. (Mrs. Frank L. McCraken). deceased,
Helen C. (Mrs. John McClure), lives in Gurnee. Ills.; C. Rowley,
a locomotive engineer killed in a railway wreck, in 1888.
Charles E. Whelan received his education in the Mazomanie high
school and the law department of the University of Wisconsin,
from which he was graduated in 1894. Previous to that time he
had been a newspaper man in Madison for seven years. Imme-

956 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

diatelv after graduation he began the practice of law in Madison
and was actively engaged in it until he received his present ap-
pointment in 1901, and for two years was assistant attorney-gen-
eral of the state. His present occupation carries him from the
Atlantic to the Pacific oceans, his lecturing being in thirty-seven of
the forty-five states. It takes him just three years to complete the
circnit of the states. For one term he served the city as mayor,
being elected on the Republican ticket. Mr. Whelan stands high
in fraternal circles. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, and Past-
Grand Master of the State of Wisconsin, a member of the Knights
of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Independent Or-
der of Foresters, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and
the Knights of the Maccabees. Politically he is a stanch Republi-
can and for ten years took the stump in behalf of the principles
advocated by his party. On May 27, 1885 he married Bertie L.,
daughter of John and Jane (Grills) Wallis. Mr. Wallis died re-
cently at the age of seventy-eight years, but Mrs. Wallis is still
living and makes her home with Mr. Whelan. They are the par-
ents of nine children, three of whom died in infancy. The others
are Mary, widow of Thomas Grenfell, lives in California; Nicholas,
a Nebraska ranchman ; John G., a traveling salesman who makes
his home in Ames, la.; Anna. Mrs. John^ Hocking, lives in Eng-
land ; Bertie L.. the wife of Charles E. Whelan ; and Richard, who
died recently in Lincoln, Neb. To Mr. and Mrs. Whelan have
been born two children, — Letta H.. a junior in the University of
Wisconsin ; and Charles Elbert. Jr.

Charles H. White is a retired farmer of the town of Medina and
a well known resident of Dane county. He is a native, of county
Kent, England, where he was born January 17, 1848. His parents,
Charles and Susannah (Sedgwick) White, were natives of Kent and
came to America in 1850, bringing with them their two-year old son,
Charles II. For a short time they lived near Palmyra, N. Y. and then
proceeded farther west, locating on a farm in the town of York, Dane
county, Wis. .Mrs. White died in York and for the past ten years
Mr. White has resided in Portland, Dodge comity. Wis. Six children
were born to them, of whom five are living. Mr. White has always
been identified with the Republican party and is a member of the
Church of England. Charles H. White received his education in the
Dane county schools and has always been a farmer. His farm con-
sists of one hundred and sixty-five acres in the town of York in a fine
of cultivation and much of the work upon it has been done by
Mr. White personally. He was formerly a Republican, like his father,

BIOGRAPHICAL. 957

but in recent years has been allied with the Prohibitionist movement.
Mr. and Airs. White belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and
are prominent members of the organization. May 23, 1869, Charles H.
White married Miss Mary A. Pearsall, who was born in Saratoga
Springs, X. Y., September 4, 1851. Her parents. Thomas and Melissa
(Swartwont) Pearsall, were natives of Saratoga county, X. Y., and
came to the town of Medina, Dane county, in 1855. Mr. Pearsall died
in 1871 and his wife in 1879. Seven children were bom to them, of
whom one son and one daughter are the only survivors. The mar-
riage of Mr. and Mrs. White was blessed with ten children; Hattie A.,
William X., Lewis Charles, Cora M., Lillian M.. Leona L., Fred.
Grant, Fletcher, Edna Es,tella and Earl Victor. All but Fletcher are
living and have been educated in the home schools.

Amos Parker Wilder. — (Sketch written by himself for his chil-
dren.) I was born in Calais, Maine, February 15, 1862. My
mother (born 1830) is a daughter of George M. Porter, who was a
ship owner and lumberman of importance in the St. Croix Valley.
Grandfather Porter lived to be ninety ; he was strong, kind, reli-
gious, one of the best of men. His picture shows it. Father's
mother was a Lincoln. She lived to be ninety-three. The Wild-
ers were Baptists, — plain, stern, godly folk. I recall Grandfather
Wilder keeping store in his later years in Milltown, near by. The
Hebrew strain in our blood was from Grandfather Porter's mother,
(Marks) who was a full blood. My father (born 1824) was Amos
Wilder. His brothers were. Benjamin and Moses. Father was the
ambitious one and saved money enough with which to take a dental
course in Baltimore about 1845. He practiced in Calais until 1869
when we moved to Augusta, Maine. He bought an interest in an
oil-cloth factory at Hallowed, two miles down the Kennebec, and
this was his business until his death in 1894 at the age of seventy.
He was characterized by mechanical skill, precision, and a blending
of sternness and humor. His character was above reproach. A\ e
had a happy and typical home life in Augusta. The first two years
we lived on Myrtle street on the east side, but as father prospered
we moved to the present home, on State street, where mother lives
at the age of seventy-six ( 1906), — second house north of the Bla'ne
home. I followed the public school course until I was sixteen.
Then I spent a year at the Highland Military Academy in Wor-
cester, Mass. I then took the last year in the Augusta high school,
was graduated in 1880, speaking my piece in Meonian Hall. I
entered Yale in the fall of that year and was graduated in 1884.
My father's account books show that he spent $900 a year on me

958 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

while in New Haven. I went to college largely through the in-
centive of my mother. Strong in body, possessed of great sense,
having had many advantages in her youth, of a hopeful, serene
nature, always able to see a bend in the road ahead, and wont to
relate all the ordering of life to prayer, mother has been and is one
of the most normal and best women I have known. I matured
late and so missed much at New Haven ; I trifled much of my time
away. I had picked up telegraphy through Frank A. Munsey, the
publisher, always my friend, — then operator in Augusta, — and
worked at that at odd hours when I should have been busy with
my books. As a collegian I wrote on the college papers and was
elected to be "fence orator," both in freshman and sophomore years.
After graduation, through intimacy with Frank Trowbridge, I went
to Old Lyme. Conn., and taught for a year in the boys' boarding
school that graduated him. There I made my first speech, — the
Elaine campaign — in the town hall with John T. Wait, the veteran
congressman of the district. I was twenty-two years of age. The
school year ended, I spent the summer, (as I had the previous sum-
mer) in the office of the Albany, N. Y., Journal. It was Thurlow
Weed's old paper. The year 1885-6 I spent as teacher in the Fari-
bault, Minn., military school, associated with Samuel A. Booth of
my Yale class. At the conclusion of the school year I went to the
Philadelphia Press, as a reporter, at $12 per week. The managing
editor at that time was Mr. Talcott Williams, now the cultivated
editorial writer on the same paper. Mr. Williams was of a mis-
sionary family, and a cousin of my college chum. Dean A. Walker.
I worked very hard here ; the more work they gave me the better I
liked it. I was glad to do the work of the other boys after mid-
night when they were weary. Some of my best friendships trace
back to the less-than-a-year I was with the Philadelphia Press.
Richard Harding Davis was one of us, although of late years I have
seen little of Davis. I was called back to the Albany Journal and
went. In reporting the Albany legislature I obtained valuable ex-
perience. In the summier I lived at a suburb (Altamont) with my
classmate, Edwin McCellen. I went to New Haven to become
editor of the Palladium for three years and a half at $1,600 salary.
I was but twenty-six when I accepted the post. I must have writ-
ten a good deal of nonsense in those callow years but I did more
and more public speaking which helped me. I lived at Grove Hall,
a boarding house in the college district and some choice friendships
date from this. I wrote an editorial the first day I went to work,
turned it in and it was printed, though my regular assigned duty

BIOGRAPHICAL. 959

was to hold copy for the proof-reader. I could not write editorial
any better than my boyish associates wrote it, but by my efforts I
put myself in the editorial class and came to be associated with
editorial writing. A great truth lies buried here for young persons
able to grasp it. I took my doctor's degree during the New Haven
years and wrote a thesis on "The Government of Cities." This I
read to the Chamber of Commerce and that body printed it as a
pamphlet. When I went to Wisconsin I lectured on the subject
under "University Extension," and gave a course of five lectures
at the parent Chautauqua. My New Haven connection came to an
end through a clash with a political "ring." A new manager who
represented a new owner of the paper offered me the choice of print-
ing an article practically repealing an attack I had made on the
"ring" the day before, or of resigning. Of course there was but
one thing to do. I had a number of new positions tendered, some
by telegraph. I went as an editorial writer, to the Mail and Ex-
press, then owned by Elliott F. Shepard, the eccentric son-in-law
of the then reigning Vanderbilt. The editor was John A. Sleicher,
a life long friend, who was editor of the Albany Journal when I
was with that paper. This New York life for something over two
years was valuable experience. My public speaking took me into
all kinds of company and I met many men and women well worth
knowing. The last part of my stay in New York was with the
Commercial Advertiser. I had a salary that increased to $80 per
week and I saved my money. I have "lost my job" a number of
times and suffered great depression. One who has failed in busi-
ness, or who is utterly cast down from any cause will often do well
to begin life under a new environment — to move to another place.
Happily I could rally my courage, and when I went out of the
Commercial office I resolved that I would be happier with a paper
of my own. I dallied with a literary syndicate, dragging out noth-
ing but a sweet friend, Maynard ; and while on a western tour fell
upon Mr. H. A. Taylor in Madison. He decided that he did not
need a partner with only $5,000 but on my reaching Milwaukee I
received a telegram from him to come back. This was in the
spring of 1894. I came back, bought half of his interest. June 9,
1894, almost wholly on credit: and May 9. 1900, bought the bal-
ance of his interest — the control. I worked all the time for many
years. On December 3, 1894, I was married to Miss Isabella
Niven, whose father for over thirty years was pastor of the Presby-
terian church in Dobbs Ferry. Our children's birthdays are: Amos
Niven, September IS. 189."). born in the Askew house at the foot of

960 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

South Henry street; Thornton Niven, April 17, 1897, in the Kerr
hohse on Langdon street ; Charlotte Elizabeth. August 28, 1898,
born in one of the Frawley cottages, Mendota Court; and Isabel,
lanuarv L3, 1900, born in the flat 211 West Gilnian street, where we
lived for six years. I was secretary of the Madison "Six O'Clock
Club" from its beginning. 1899. for seven seasons. The Maple
Bluff cottage was built in 1901. The mother took a foreign trip
with three Madison ladies in 1902. I had a summer trip abroad in
1891. I was appointed consul general to Hongkong January 31,
L906, and we sailed from San Francisco April 7, 1906. My brother,
Dr. Julian Wilder, lives in Augusta; my sister, Mrs. George Hob-
son, in Brooklyn. N. Y. ; and a half brother, Geo. P. Additon. in
Bath, Maine.

Carl Wilke was born in the city of Strasburg, Germany, March
20. 1837. His father, Ernest Frederick Wilke, opened his eyes upon
the world a century ago, and was already an old man when he came
to this country in 1871. He came first to Dodge county, afterward
removing to Dane. He lived for ten }ears, spending the latter part
of his life with his son Carl. He interested himself sufficiently with
the public affairs of his new home to ally himself with the Republican
party. His wife, Christina (Hess) Wilke. survived him sixteen years,
dying in 1897, at the age of ninety, at the home of her son. He had
one sister in America whose home was in Iowa, and three of his five
children still remain in Germany. Mr. Carl Wilke received his edu-
cation in his native land, and was also married there, August 10, 1865,
three years before coming to this country, (1868). He remained for
ten years in Dodge-, and then removed to Dane county, where he ac-
cumulated a large property without other aid than his natural ability
for patient, untiring effort and intelligent economy. His large farm
of seven hundred acres, near Waunakee, has been largely devoted to
stock-raising, — short-horn cattle and Poland China hogs being chiefly
bred. He has affiliated with the Republican party, and all of his fa-
mily are connected with the Lutheran church. His wife was Miss
Caroline Schwem, born in Germany. February 25, 1844. daughter of
Frederick and Johanna (Schmidt) Schwem. both Germans who die!
in their native land. Mr. and Mrs. Wilke have had ten children. Min-
nie Ernestine, wife of ( leo. Blank : Johanna ; Frank, a farmer of Vienna
township; Louisa, wife of Chas. Dahn ; Ferdinand, a farmer of Vi-
enna township; Otto, a farmer; Ernest, a butcher: Gustave. a mer-
chant of Waukegan, 111.; Walter, a fireman in employ of the C. &
X. W. R'y Co.; Oscar, a farmer; these are all living with the excep-
11 of the second child. Johanna. Mr. Wilkie is a man of strong

Chauncey L. Williams.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 961

personality and unusual native ability. Among- those who know
him well he has a reputation for shrewdness, hard common sense and
good judgment.

William Wille is a prosperous landowner in the town of Berry.
The date of his birth was December 8, 1836, and the place was the
province of Saxony, Prussia. His parents. Christian and Annstin
(Schmitt) Wille, were natives of Saxony, where the father was a
manufacturer of wool carding machinery. Of the five children in
the family, Henry and William came to America ; of the others, two
are still living in Prussia. William [Wille had but a limited education
in the old country. At an early age he learned the cabinet maker's
trade. In 1861, with the wife and two children of his brother Henry,
who had made the trip in September, i860, he came to America, the
town of Cross Plains in this state, where the brother had located,
being the objective point. For some years he farmed in partnership
witK his brother and then bought eighty acres of land in the same
town. Later he sold this and purchased the farm in the town where
he now lives, a place of three hundred and fifty acres, of which one
hundred and fifty are under cultivation. He carries on general
farming, which naturally includes some dairy business, and that he
has been successful is easily seen. Politically Mr. Wille is a Repub-
lican, and although he has always taken an active interest in politics
he has never held any office other than that of clerk of the school
board, which position he has filled for the past twenty-five years. He
is actively interested in and a member of the German Lutheran
church. In April, 1866, he married Annstin, daughter of Gottlieb
and Johanna Schmitt, natives of Gotha, who came to America in
1856 and purchased a farm in the town of Berry. Both are now de-
ceased. Mr. and Mjrs. Wille have had six children, — Pauline mar-
ried Ole Olson, a tailor of Mount Horeb, where she now resides;
William is farming in the town of Bern' ; Henry is farm ng the old
homestead, where another of the sons also makes his home : Annstina
and Elfrieda also are both living at home.

Chauncey L. Williams was born in 1820. at La Fayette. Onon-
daga county, N. Y.. and was a son of Dr. Chauncey L. Williams, of
that place. After living in Syracuse for some years he moved to
Madison. Wis., in 1855, entering shortly after in the grocery business.
In 1862 the firm of M. E. Fuller & Co. was formed, of which Mr. Wil-
liams was the partner. This business was organized for the purchase and
sale of agricultural implements, and out of it grew the several firms
of Fuller & Williams. Fuller. Johnson & Co., and others, all dealing in
machinery, and in all of which he was financially interested, and which,.
61— iii

962 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

— largely through his intense industry and popularity, together with
his ability to organize, — were developed into great and thriving con-
cerns. Air. Williams was noted for his promptness in business affairs
and close attention to every duty and obligation both in business and
society life. He was physically large, forceful and vigorous, but was
a quiet, modest and unobtrusive man, with a heart full of love, always
doing acts of kindness to his fellow-men. Mr. Williams was twice
married, and all of his four children were by his first wife, Johanna L.
Van Duzer, of Middletown, New- York, to whom he was married May
2i, 1848. These children were M'ellie (Airs. F. A. Frank, deceased) ;
Cornelia Lillian, (Airs. H. H. Rountree, deceased) ; Anna Alyra, (Afrs.
Arthur O. Fox), of Madison, and Chauncey L. Williams, Jr., of Chi-
cago. Airs. Fox and Chauncey L. are both living and have families.
Airs. Johanna ( \"an Duzer) Williams was a woman of much literary
ability, and was also conspicuous throughout her life in Madison for
her great kindness of heart. Her supreme happiness was in minister-
ing to the comfort of others and especially to the poor and sick. Al-
though she has been dead thirty-four years there are yet many living
here who speak her name with tender recollections of her self-sacrific-
ing kindness and generosity to all. Airs. Williams was one of the
earliest members of the First Congregational Church and throughout
her life was one of its truest supporters. She died at Madison, A larch
5, 1872. Air. Williams died May 27, 1878.

Nels E. Williams is a leading citizen and progressive farmer of
the town of Deerfield, where he was bom and reared, and where the
Williams family has had its domicile for over sixty years. Air.
Williams was born on the farm where he now resides, December 20,
1854. and is one of seven children born to Erick and Christina
(Bochtun) Williams, both of whom were natives of the province of
Bergen, Norway. The parents came to America in 1844 and settled
on section 32. in the town of Deerfield, Dane county, the father hav-
ing first worked as a common laborer for a short time. The tract
upon which he located was government land, and he preempted forty
acres, which he began to improve, and he added thereto from time
to time until at his death he owned three hundred and eighteen acres.
He followed genera] farming during all of his life, after coming to
America, and died December 25, 1879. at the age of seventy-six years,
his good wife passing away four years later. They were the parents
of seven children, as follows: Cornelius, the eldest son, who enlisted
on March 3, 1862, in Co. H, Fifteenth Wisconsin infantry, rose to the
rank of first lieutenant and served to the close of the war, then located
in Chicago where he is still living; Julia became the wife of Will-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 963

iam Miller, both of whom are deceased ; Christina is the wife of Nels
Anderson, of the .town of Deerfield; William located in St. Louis,
Mo., and is now deceased ; Isabelle is the wife of Carl F. Eltzholtz, of
Chicago; Betsy is deceased; Knute served through the Civil War and
is now employed in the hospital of the soldiers' home at Milwaukee ;
and Nels E. is the subject of this review. Nels E. Wiliams received
his education in the district schools of Deerfield and attended two
terms of the Marshall academy. He has always had his residence on
the old homestead, though at the age of twenty-six years he and one
of his brothers bought forty acres of the farm from their father and
began an independent career. A number of years later Mr. Williams
purchased his brother's interest, and he still remains on the home-
stead which marks the place of his birth and also that of his children.
A few years ago he invested a part of his savings in one hundred and
sixty acres of land in Spink county, S. D. Of superior natural abil-
ity He has easily become a leader in the community in which he lives.
He is a man of splendid physique and is well preserved, appearing
much young-er than the calendar of time would reckon his age. He
is a Republican in his political affiliations and is now serving his sixth
term as town treasurer, having also served as supervisor of the town
of Deerfield. Mr. Nelson married for his first wife. Miss Cam Pol-
son, of Chicago, who died eleven months later, leaving no children.
The second marriage was to Miss Caroline I. Nelson, November 4,
1880. She was the daughter of Iver and Ingeborg (Gjeitle) Nelson,
natives of Norway who came to America and located in the town of
Deerfield, Dane county, in 1845, and spent the remainder of their lives
there. Mjrs. Williams was born December 18, 1854, and died on
March 23, 1891, leaving four children, whose names follow: Clara
Belle, born March 14, 1882; Emma Christina, born March 31, 1884,
died October 27, 1896; William Erick, born June 17, 1887; and Caro-
line Nora, born March 14, 1891. Mr. Williams' third matrimonial
alliance was with Olena Hoff, daughter of Toston and Guro Olson,
of the town of Christiana, and the date of the marriage was April 22,
1893. No children have been born of this union.

Sylvester B. Williams, farmer and stock raiser, of the town of
Madison, was born at Verona, N. Y., January 9, 1828. His parents,
Daniel and Mary Williams, were both natives of Rhode Island, but
went with several others of the Williams family and settled at Verona,
four miles from Rome, when the place was nothing but the primitive
forest. Daniel Williams was a boat builder. He and his father built
the first boat that was ever launched at New London. He also built
several of the locks on the Erie canal, constructing the one near New

964 HISTORY OF DANE' COUNTY.

Amsterdam, X. Y., when he was but nineteen years of age. For some
time he was employed on the canal, and was also engaged in merchan-
dising. In the summer of 1846 he went up the canal to Buffalo, where
he took a steamer and came around tht great lakes to Milwaukee, and
in September landed in Madison, having hired a team to take him from
Milwaukee. He bought a farm at Stoner Prairie, where he began
farming, burning lime and cutting stone for buildings in Madison.
The following year he was joined by Ins wife and son and continued
to live in Dane county until his death on July 17, 1876. He was twice
married. His first wife, the mother of Sylvester, died at Verona in
1830. and some time afterward he married Mary Green, a native of
Xew York state, who died in 1881. During his life he was an active
Democrat, but was never an aspirant for omiee, and was a consistent
member of the Baptist church. Sylvester B. Williams received a com-
mon school education in the state of New York, came to Wisconsin in
1847, and in 1854 began farming. In 1861 he bought a small tract of
land where he now lives. Since then he has bought and sold several
tracts, and now owns one hundred and sixty-six acres, upon which he
carries on a general farming business, devoting considerable attention
to raising of livestock. All the improvements on the place have been
made by him and he has one of the representative farms in the com-
munity where he lives. Like his father he was interested in the pro-
duction of lime and from 1853 to 1888 he conducted a kiln for that pur-
pose. He has served on the school board and the town board, al-
though he can hardly be called an active politician, as he usually votes
for the best man, particularly .in local affairs. He is a member of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was formerly identified with
the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Williams has been twice mar-
ried. In 1855 he married Harriet French, of Verona, N. Y., but she
died the following spring. In October, 1858, he was united in mar-
riage to Sarah Kenny, a native of New Jersey, and to this union were
born three children, viz: James Leslie, Laura Augusta and Sylvester.
James L. married Matilda Linde, a native of Germany, and they have
five children: Daniel, Robert, William, Sarah and Eunice. He served
for seven years on the school board and as treasurer one year.
Laura A. is the wife of Sidney Davenport and Sylvester died in in-
fancy. Mr. Williams is a quiet unassuming man, one of those, who- at-
tends to his own business, though he takes an interest in all questions
pertaining to the general good. He is respected for his sterling qual-
ities and is generally recognized as one of the substantial citizens of
the town.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 965

Benjamin F. Williamson, a retired farmer and a long-time resi-
dent of Dane county, was born at Bedford, Westchester county, N.
Y., February 13, 1834, son of William and Sarah (Carpenter) Will-
iamson, who were born and reared in the same state. William Will-
iamson was engaged in agricultural pursuits and reared his eleven
children on the farm. Five of these still survive, of whom William
R. resides in Madison, Thomas in the town of Blooming Grove,
Henry in Missouri, and Benjamin F. is the subject of this review.
The Williamsons are descended from Scottish ancestry, and have
been residents of America since before the Revolution. The educa-
tional advantages of the subject of this review were good and he
secured a very good education in the district schools of his native
state and the Bedford academy, as did also his brothers and sisters,
several of them becoming teachers. In 1863 he decided that the west
offered better advantages for a young man and accordingly he began
to look about for a location. Relatives of the family had previously
come to Wisconsin, and in the year above mentioned Benjamin F.
arrived in Dane county and purchased eighty acres of land in the
town of Blooming Grove, where he began general farming. He re-
sided on this place three years and then purchased eighty acres ad-
joining, upon which he moved. He remained on this farm until
March 1, 1906, when he bought a home in Hudson Park, a beautiful
suburb of the city of Madison, and there he expects to reside the re-
mainder of his life. Despite his many years of strenuous labor he is
well preserved, and for one of his age is very active. Mr. William-
son was married on January 23, 1856, and the lady whom he selected
as his helpmate through life was Miss Caroline Carpenter, who was
born in the state of Xew York, March 22, 1837. She is the only sur-
vivor of four children that were born to James and Mary (Haviland)
Carpenter, the parents being also natives of the state of New York.
They were Quakers. One of Mrs. 'Williamson's brothers enlisted in
a Xew York regiment during the Civil War and died while in the
service at New Orleans. Nine children have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Williamson : Mary C. married Pliny F. Pierson, of St. Paul,
Mjinn.. and is deceased; Franklin J, is deceased; Sarah C. resides
with her parents; Carrie E. is the wife of Dr. Jos. F. Gill and resides
in the city of Madison: William resides in Fitch-burg; Anna May and
Robert H. are deceased ; Lucy B. is the wife of W. A. Sykes and re-
sides in the city of Madison ; and Benjamin H. is deceased. Mr.
Williamson is independent in his political views and has never entered
public life in the role of an office seeker.

966 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

J. S. Williamson, of Oregon, was born in Anthony township, Ly-
coming county. Pa., July 2j, 1845. He is the son of A. Williamson,
born in Union county, Pa.,' December 8, 1818, and Mary (Emery)
Williamson, also a native of Lycoming county, born August 18, 1819.
They were married November 15, 1841,'and spent their earlier mar-
ried life in their native state where their children were born and
reared, coining to Wisconsin in 1869. They settled first in the town
of Oregon, where they purchased an improved farm of two hundred
acres ; some years later they moved into the village of Oregon which
was their home for seventeen years, until the death of Mrs. William-
son, October 18, 1900, since which time, Mr. Williamson has made
his home on the farm with his son. Mr. Williamson was engaged in
the lumber business in Pennsylvania, and his son, the subject of this
sketch, was associated with him in that line before coming. to Wis-
consin ; here, however, he engaged in farming first with his father,
and later, after the removal of his father to the village, operating the
farm for himself. He now owns one hundred acres of the original
plot, the remainder having been sold to Mr. Fincher the husband of
his daughter Laura. Mr. Williamson was married, March 21, 1872,
to Miss Phoebe J. Bethei, the daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth
(Welch) Bethel, of Oregon township, both of whom are deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Williamson had four children, Laura, ( Mrs. Fincher ).
of Oregon; Mary E. (deceased) ; Cora B. and Raymond A., both at
home ; all the children were born and educated in Oregon. Mr. Will-
iamson is a Republican and has served as assessor. His church af-
filiations are with the Christian church, but his wife belongs to the
Seventh-day Adventists.

Thomas Williamson, of Waunakee. is a native of England, born
July 29, 1840. He came with his parents to Dane in 1851. Charles
and Elizabeth (Jackson) Williamson were also born in England, the
former October 14, 1814, and the latter December 29, 1819. The
parents settled in Burke township, on a small farm, which they made
their home until their death. Mrs. Williamson died in 1875 and her
husband in 1901. They had three children, Anna, Thomas, and Lu-
cretia, of whom the oldest daughter, Anna, has passed away. Politi-
cally Mr. Williamson was a supporter of the Democratic party and
both he and his wife were members of the Episcopal church. He
served at one time as the constable of Burke township. Thomas Wil-
liamson, the subject of this sketch, received his early education in Eng-
land and afterward in the common school of Burke. He came to Vi-
enna and began his life as a farmer there in 1868, an occupation which
he followed all his life. He owns eisjitv acres on which most of the

BIOGRAPHICAL. 967

improvements have been made by himself; he runs this as a general
farm. He is a Republican in politics, but neither public interests nor
private concern have caused him to ignore a fact that brings a failure
of physical forces before the time to so many farmers, viz., that all
work and no play sometimes results disastrously. He has probably
inherited from his English ancestors a love of hunting, and for nearly
fifty years been an enthusiastic follower of Duck and other game which
haunt the Catfish where it flows into Lake Mendota. in the town of
Westport. He is also a member of the Cherokee Hunting Club. Feb-
ruary i, 1863, he was married to Miss Eliza Whitstance, a native of
England, — born December 20, 1846. She is the daughter of Thomas
and Eliza (Andrews) Whitstance, both born in England, — the latter in
1809, — who came to Sauk county in October, 1856, and settled in
Bamboo. Mr. Whitstance died there in November of the same year
and his wife in 1887. He was by occupation a farmer and both he and
his wife were members of the Methodist church. Mrs. Williamson
was one of a family of fourteen children, of whom five are living. She
has herself been the mother of eleven, — Andrew Thomas, William
Henry, Charles, John Paver, Eliza Ann (now deceased)), Sarah,
Thomas, Lucretia, Henry, Cora and Frederick Marmsduke, of whom
all are living except two.

H. M. Willoughby, of Belleville, was born in Tiffin, Ohio, Sep-
tember 3, 1843. son °f Wellington and Mary (Mollette), the former
a native of New York and the latter of Tiffin, Ohio. The family
came from Tiffin to Wisconsin in 1846, driving through what was
then, much of the way, an almost unbroken wilderness. They located
in section 27, town of Montrose, and remained there for some time ;
they also kept a hotel in Belleville for some years, about the middle
fifties. Mr. Willoughby died in 1884. He was not actively inter-
ested in politics, but was nevertheless elected to local offices on sev-
eral occasions. His son, H. M., the subject of this sketch, was
brought up in Montrose township, attending the district schools and
assisting his father in the work of the farm. During the war ( 1864)
he enlisted in Company H, of the First Wisconsin Heavy Artillery.
He was in Xew Orleans and in the country eighty miles to the
west, as far back as Berwick Bay, and was at the latter point when
Lee surrendered. At the close of the war he was discharged and re-
turned to Montrose, and resumed the occupation of tanning. He
gave up active work on the farm in 1890. and moved into the village
of Belleville where he has held several offices on the village board,
as treasurer, street commissioner etc. He is a Republican and cast
his first vote for Lincoln. He was married in 1868, to Miss Stella

<)GS HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Marks, daughter of Reuben Marks, of Vermont. They have two
children, Mae, married Merrill Perkins; Lena, married Matt. Hosley,
of Waukesha. The family is connected with the Presbyterian church.

Willis H. Willoughby, of Belleville, was born in the town of
Montrose, April 12, 1851. the son of W. Willougby, of whom men-
tion is made in connection with the sketch of his eldest son, H. M.
Willoughby. Willis H. was reared on a farm, and in common with
the residents of rural and village communities, obtained his book
knowledge at the public school. He began life for himself at the age
of twenty-four by renting and running a farm for a year, after which
he entered the empolyment of Mr. Ogilvie, of Verona, where he re-
mained for two years, and then spent a season in Colorado, before
returning to the town of Montrose : he then bought a place one mile
north of the village, and interested himself in general farming and
stock raising. He was married, October 18. 1874, in Eagle, to Miss
Fanny Howe, daughter oi Henry and Elizabeth ( White) Howe, both
natives of England, the former born in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, July
13, 1824, and the latter in Lincolnshire. September 20. 1823. They
came to America in 1850, and located first in Janesville, and in 1854,
came to Belleville. In 1868 they moved on a farm near the village,
which in 1875 they purchased and where they lived until Mr. Howe
gave up active work and returned to the village, where he died. He
was a wheelwright by trade. To himself and wife were born five
children of whom three are living. Mrs. AY. H. Willoughby, Mrs. C.
R. Pease, of Clayton, Kansas, and Frank E., of Sterling, Til. They
were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs.
Willoughby have three children, George, of Belleville, married Miss
Jesie La Marr of Montrose township; Fred, married October 12,
1906, Miss Anna Yoeglie. and resides in Green county; Frank, at
home. In national politics Mr. Willoughby is a Republcan. but does
not allow party lines to influence him in local politics.

Thomas Wilson, of Belleville, R. F. D., was born December 20,
1849, on section 29, town of Montrose. He is the son of Thomas and
Jane (Cherry) Wilson, both natives of Londonderry county, Ireland.
the former of the parish of Tamlaght Fanlaggan. and the latter of the
parish of Myrroe. 'They were married in Ireland and had had one
child when they came to America in 1844. They came via New York,
Erie canal, Buffalo, and the lakes and landed in Milwaukee, and then
came on to Dane county and settled on the place where their son
Thomas now resides. They bought eighty acres of government land
and afterward made additional claims. Although Mr. Wilson was a
farmer and followed that occupation all his life, he was naturally of a

BIOGRAPHICAL. 969

mechanical bent and was always handy with tools of all kinds. He
made himself a part of the life of the new community, and served as a
justice of the peace for twenty years. He and his wife are both buried
in the Pioneer Cemetery in the town of Montrose. Thomas is the
youngest of three children ; his brother, James D., lives in Verndale,
Minn, and his sister Nancy died at the age of four years. He was
brought up on the farm and educated in the district schools of the
town of Montrose and private schools of Belleville; he taught school
for fifteen winters, at the same time managing his farm, which now
consists of over one hundred and seventy acres. This is run for gen-
eral agricultural purposes, for stock raising and dairying. Mr. Wil-
son was married March 2$. 1880, to Miss Nettie Balfour, daughter of
Thomas and Matilda J. (Oliver) Balfour, the former born near Ster-
ling Castle, Perthshire, Scotland, and the latter a native of Wisconsin.
Mrs. 'Wilson's father was one of the pioneers of this country, and now
makes his home with his daughter ; her maternal grandmother was one
of the Red River colony. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have had twelve
children and all except the oldest, George Walter, who died at the age
of four years, — are living. They are Nellie, a graduate of the White-
water Normal and a teacher at home; Thomas Grover; John Ralph;
William Balfour; Rose Janette, a student at Belleville high school;
Mattie May; Charles Henry; Pearl Evangeline; James Walter; Robert
Oliver. Mr. Wilson is the oldest native resident of the town of Mont-
rose; he is a member of the I. O. O. F., has been justice of the peace
for twenty years, supervisor and assessor several times, and politcally
is a stanch supporter of W. J. Bryan.

Joseph Wilt, a representative of one of the oldest homes in Dane
county, came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1844 and settled upon
the farm now owned by Charles and Albert Wilt in the town of Me-
dina! Joseph Wilt was born in Alsace, Germany, March 14. 1817,
embarked for America with his parents, Francis Joseph and Mary
Ann (Diss) Wilt, in 1830, and for fourteen years resided in Medina
county, Ohio. In 1844 the family came west and obtained one hun-
dred and sixty acres of farm land in Medina township. Francis J.
Wilt and his wife spent the remaining years of their lives upon this
farm and their son Joseph succeeded them in its management and
ownership and made it his home until his death. To it he added forty
acres and improved it in many ways, making it a well-stocked and
valuable piece of property. Mr. Wilt was a Democrat but did not
desire office or take any very active part in politics. On June 23,
1851, he was married to Catherine Mary (Groshong) Wilt, widow
of Tohn Wilt, also a son of Francis J. Will. One son was born to

970 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Mrs. John Wilt by her first marriage, John Francis, deceased. Airs.
Wilt was horn in Niles, Cayuga county, N. Y., in 1830, the daughter
of William Groshong, a native of North Carolina, and Betsey (Sav-
age) Groshong, who was horn in Massachusetts. They came to Wis-
consin from Ohio in 1846, lived in Jefferson county and after the
death of Mir. Groshong in 1847 the family moved to the town of
Medina. Of their twelve children but two are living. To' Mr. and
Mrs. Joseph Wilt were born eight children. The oldest son, Andrew,
and tile oldest daughter, Mary, died. Charles, Albert, Clara, Will-
iam, Kate and Eleanor make up the family. All have attended the
home 'schools and thq Methodisti Episcopal church. Albert! and
Charles own and operate the old home farm and make a specialty of
a fine grade of Holstein cattle, of which they generally have a herd
of about forty. They are both independent in politics and active in
all which concerns the welfare of the community.

James A. Wood, a well known and successful farmer ot the town
of York, lives upon the fine farm of one hundred and ninety-eight
acres which was his birth-place. His father, James D. Wood, came
to York with his parents, Jonathan and Charlotte (Powers) Wood,
from Oneida county, N. \., in 1854, and located on a farm. James
D. Wood married Miss Elvira Harrington, a native of Erie county,
N. Y., and four children were born to them : Manley J., who married
Miss Rosaline Brown and has two children; William B., deceased,
whose widow was before her marriage Miss Amelia Tracy and who
has three children, Guy, Katie and Winnie ; Alary E. married Walker
Johnson ; both of whom are dead leaving two children, Elsie May and
Gladys ALarv; James A., the subject of this sketch, was born in York.
June 20, 1870, received h:s education in York and has always been
interested in farming. He has a splendid farm with modem equip-
ment and is particularly interested in the breeding of a fine grade of
shorthorn ed cattle and also Clyde horses. Like his father he is a
Republican and actively interested in the concerns of the town, and
for two years he served as its treasurer. April 4, 1895, he married
Aliss Priscilla Ellen Knapton, daughter of Isaac Knapton, a sketch
of whose life appears elsewhere. Airs. Wood is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church of Marshall. Airs. Wood, the mother
of James A., is stdl a resident of York and has been a widow since
April 9, 1889. She is a member of the Baptist church. She is of
American ancestry, her grandfather having lived in New York and
served his country throughout the Revolutionary War. Her father,
Barney Harrington, was born in Vermont, but spent his life in New
York, and her mother, Roxie (Perkins) Harrington, was a native of
Massachusetts.

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71

BIOGRAPHICAL. D71

David H. Wright, Sr. Probably every city of any size has its
"grand old man" and Madison is no exception. David H. Wright,
Sr., is the man who has gained this appellation in the capital city.
He has lived sixty-two of his eighty-six years in Dane county's
judicial center, having come here May 7, 1844. There is not a
house standing at the present time which has not been erected
since his arrival. There is but one other man living who can claim
longer residence in Dane county than Mr. Wright and that is the
Hon. George Stoner. Mr. Wright was born July 9, 1820, in Otsego
county, N. Y. His parents were Bezaleel and Catharine (Kipp)
\\ right, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of Xew
York. In 1850 Bezaleel Wright brought his family west and set-
tled on a farm in the town of Verona. Upon his retirement he
came to Madison and spent the remaining days' of his life with his
son. His death occurred in November, 1879, in his eighty-third
year. His wife died some fourteen years earlier, in her sixty-sixth
year, having been born in the last year of the eightenth century.
Of their eleven children, of whom there are four survivors, the
subject of this sketch was the eldest. David H. Wright received
his early education in Marion academy, A'Vayne county, X. Y.
After learning his trade, that of carpenter, he came to Wisconsin
and the first year after his arrival taught a school here. For more
than fifty years after 1845 ne worked as a carpenter and many of
the residences and public buildings of the city are monuments to
his skill. It was Mr. Wright who built the old Methodist church,
since replaced by a more modern structure, and the old first and
third ward schools, also replaced. In the early fifties he served as
president of the school board and was a member of the board of
trustees while Madison was still a village. For some nineteen
years he was state carpenter, maintaining the position through the
efficiency and thoroughness of his workmanship. He was un ted
in marriage on July 2, 1848, to Hannah V., daughter of William
and Adaline (Stewart) Pyncheon. On the paternal side Mrs.
Wright was a direct descendant of William Pyncheon of early
Massachusetts fame. Through her mother she was related to
Gen. Hart Stewart, one of the earliest settlers of Chicago. By this
marriage Mr. Wright had four children. Dr. Arthur L. Wright is
chief surgeon of St. Anthony's Hospital at Carroll. la. He for-
merly conducted a hospital of his own. He has one son. Robert.
Ellen M. is the widow of James E. Nichols of Chicago and has
three children, Minnie, Amy and Arthur. James S. Wright is pri-
vate secretary to his brother. Dr. Arthur L. Wright at Carroll, la.

<)72 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

He has three children, Jesse, Charles and Harry. Dr. Charles L.
Wright married Anna Gussman and had one child, Dorothea. He
died in [896 at the age of thirty-one. Mrs. Wright died March
25, 1867. She was a member of the First Methodist Episcopal
church. Mr. Wright's second marriage occurred February 2, 1870.
to Sarah E.. daughter of Warren and Nancy (Bentley) Miles, of
New York, both deceased. By this union he has had two children.
David II.. Jr.. shipping clerk for the Gisholt Machine company,
married Olive Wise, since deceased, and had one son, David H.,
Ill, who lives with his grandfather. Mary Florence, the other
child, was graduated with the class of 1906 from the Madison high
school. Both Mr. Wright and his wife are members of the First
Methodist Episcopal church of Madison. In former years Mr.
Wright was a member of the board of trustees of the church. He
is prominent in Masonic circles, being Knight Templar Mason and
a thirty-third degree member of the Scottish Rite, and Past Grand
Master. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, and is also a past grand master of that order. He is also
a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge of Madison. Kindly,
courteous and affable. Air. Wright is a most revered and esteemed
citizen who acts as a connecting link between the golden past and
the magnificent present of Madison.

Lewis Ziesch is a prominent farmer and stock raiser of the town
of Windsor and a native of Dane county. He is the son of Ludwig
Ziesch, who was born in Germany and came to Dane county in the
early days. Ludwig Ziesch was a farmer in the town of Middleton.
His second wife was Miss Elizabeth Schultz, also a native of Germany,
who now lives in the town of Burke. Two children were born to the
first marriage and four to the second. Lewis Ziesch was born in the
town of Middleton, March 14, 1870, attended the home schools and
early engaged in farming. His property consists of ninety-six acres
on which he carries on a general farming business and also raises fine
Poland China hogs. November 27, 1898, he married Miss Nellie
Blanchar, a daughter of Horace Blanchar. Mr. and Mrs. Ziesch are
identified with the Congregational church. Mr. Ziesch is a Republi-
can. Mrs. Zie&ch's father. Mr. Blanchar, was born in Chatauqua
county, Xew York, son of Willard Blanchar, attended the Windsor
and Beaver Dam schools and the University of Wisconsin. He is the
owner of a fine farm of two hundred and forty-seven acres in the
towns of Burke and Windsor but has retired from active, business.
He 1- a Republican and has served the town as supervisor for many
years. December 31, 1867, he married Miss Emma Rose, who was

BIOGRAPHICAL. 973

born in Now York, daughter of Oliver and Edna (Stanley) Rose, who
came to Dane county from New York and settled in the town of
Fitchburg. Mr. and Airs. Blanchar had one son, Edward, who is a
banker at Oregon. Mrs. Blanchar died in 1872 and in 1874 Mr.
Blanchar married Miss Jennie Thompson, a native of Norway. Ten
children were born to them; Xellie, who is Mrs. Ziesch ; Florence (de-
ceased); Nettie, Edna, John, Willie, Archie, Maud, Russell and Ernest.
A. G. Zimmerman, judge of Dane county since January 6, 1902,
is of German ancestry and was born in Elgin, Iowa, and located in
Wisconsin in 1868. His early education was received at the public
schools and he was an unusually bright and self-reliant student, as
even with the meager advantages offered in the district schools he
was the proud possessor of a teacher's certificate at the age of fifteen
years, and two years later began his work in the field of pedagogy,
which is, perhaps, as good a preparation as can be made for later
work in any of the learned professions. After teaching for a time
he again became a student and was graduated from the Northern
Indiana College in 1885 with the degree of B. S. After having been
instrumental in the organization of the high school at Bloomington.
Grant county, he officiated as its first principal and occupied the po-
sition for four years ; meanwhile he studied law by himself, preparing
on the junior work and on presenting himself at the Unversity of
Wisconsin in 1889 was able to enter the senior law class. He re-
ceived his degree of LL. B. from the University of Wisconsin in June,
1890, but began his practice as an attorney in company with Gilbert
E. Roe, under the name Roe & Zimmerman, several months before
upon passing the state bar examination. The following year he be-
came a member of the firm of La Follette, Harper, Roe & Zimmer-
man, which partnership lasted four years and upon its dissolution
Mr. Zimmerman practiced alone until his election to the position of
count v judge. Always actively interested in public questions he
entered the field of practical politics in 1896 as a delegate to and the
chairman of the Republican convention which nominated Dr. A. A.
Dye as mayor, and he followed up that entrance by attending as del-
egate most of his party conventions that have occurred since that
time, whether state or congressional. In 1897 he appeared as a can-
didate for the office which he now holds but was defeated by Judge
J. H. Carpenter, who had held the position since November. 1885. by
219 votes. In 1900 he was made a member of the Republican state
central committee and chairman of the congressional committee : up-
on presenting himsef as a candidate for the position of county judge
a second tfme he was elected by a plurality of one thousand six hun-

974 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

dred and seventy-five votes, and entered upon his duties in that office
January 6, 1902. He was re-elected without opposition in 1906.

Rev. Alois Zitterl, pastor of the Church of the Holy Redeemer,
Madison, was born June 12, 1845, m St. Oswald, Upper Austria.
Here he received a thorough classical education at the college of Linz,
Austria; came to the United States in August, 1866; took his theo-
logical course in St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee county, Wis., and
was ordained a priest by Archbishop Henni in Deqember, 1868. The
present is his third pastorate, his first being that of St. Martin's church
in the town of Springfield, Dane county, and the second, that of the
Church of the Sacred Heart in Milwaukee county. His present pas-
torate dates from March, 1877. The church of the Holy Redeemer was
first constructed in 1867, and was reconstructed in 1880 at a cost of
more than $7,000. The present value of the property (including five
lots, parsonage, Sister house, church, school, etc.) is in the neighbor-
hood of $100,000. During each of his pastorates, Father Zitterl has
built a parsonage, and has been eminently successful during his long
period of faithful service in his present charge. He is much beloved
by his parishioners, who number more than four hundred families, all
Germans. The large parochial school connected with his church is
taught by the sisters of Notre Dame; it is a large commodious struc-
ture erected in 1892, its course being graded like the city ward schools,
and its graduates being admitted to high school.

3

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